The Rising Popularity of Air Source Heat Pumps in the UK: What You Need to Know

The last thing you need with winter coming up is a dodgy heating system. What a nightmare! During winter, it can be hard to find a gas boiler engineer as the temperature plummets, but have you considered air source heat pumps for your house? ASHPs are becoming a popular alternative to traditional heating systems all over the UK and beyond.

If you want to know more, here are some of the reasons ASHPs are popular and what you should know.

So, What is an Air Source Heat Pump?

An air source heat pump is like a fridge in reverse. Where a fridge takes in warm air and lowers the temperature with fluids and a compressor, an ASHP does this with cold air and warms it up. 

Through a unit placed outside, air is sucked in, warmed and used to heat the house. However, how well it works typically relies on an air source heat pump servicing schedule each year. Services like Service My offer qualified and reputable engineers who can help with ASHPs.

Why Air Source Heat Pumps are Popular

ASHPs are pretty popular and provide a lot of business for UK installers. Some experts believe the market will be worth billions by 2030 because more and more are being installed. 

They are popular in the UK for good reasons. Here are some reasons why AHSPs are wanted today:

• ASHPs produce much less carbon than other systems and will lower your footprint.
• The running cost of ASHPs over time is much lower than that of gas boiler systems.
• You can apply for government grants like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in the UK.

The Basics of How They Work

So, there is some confusion around how air source heat pumps actually work. We touched on that above, but there is an actual process they use. In simple terms, they operate in a four-stage process and this includes collecting air using a refrigerant fluid. 

After that, a compressor increases the temperature of the fluid, and then the heat is passed through the home’s pipes and heating system. Finally, the refrigerant cools down, and the cycle is repeated over and over.

UK Government Support

The UK government has promised to make the country carbon neutral or even Net Zero. To meet these goals it is offering grants for people to adopt new technologies that can reduce carbon and increase energy efficiency. ASHPs are much more efficient than some of the older systems that British houses use, such as gas boilers. If you want a heat pump, you can apply for a grant under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme that covers up to £7,500 of the cost of ASHP installation.

Myths About Air Source Heat Pumps

Like most new things, people are thinking a bit too much about air source heat pumps, and there are some myths that have come from social media and the web. This can put people off, but they are not true, and can actually cost you more by putting off getting an ASHP installation.

Myth 1: They don’t work when it’s cold

This is one of the silliest myths about air source heat pumps. ASHPs actually work really well in the cold and can still work in temperatures as low as 20°C, but might need to work a bit harder.

Myth 2: ASHPs are noisy

Nope, ASHPs are not noisy. In fact, they are pretty quiet at around 40 to 50 dB, the same as a modern fridge. And given that they are outside, it is unlikely you will even hear them running.

Myth 3: They are more expensive to run

Okay, so electricity does cost more than gas per unit, and ASHPs are electric. However, they are also much more efficient than gas boilers, so the overall cost is likely to be much lower.

ASHP Servicing Information

Like other heating systems, you don’t just install an air source heat pump and enjoy toasty tootsies in the winter. They do require some servicing now and then.

 It is recommended that they are serviced every year to make sure mogwai don’t turn into gremlins, especially just before winter. So, an ASHP will need regular inspection. When an engineer comes to your house, they will check the fluids, clean the filters and check that the parts and systems are in order.

Common ASHP Challenges

Air source heat pumps are efficient, convenient and cost less than gas boilers. But you may be surprised to know that only about 1% of UK homes actually have one installed. 

Even though more people are thinking about heat pumps and having them installed, there are some challenges you can face. One of the most common is an incorrect heat pump size that can lead to bad performance. There are also electrical and wiring issues that can come from neglect.

Finding Servicing for Air Source Heat Pumps

Like other household systems, it can be a nightmare if an ASHP breaks down. So it is recommended that you book air source heat pump servicing once per year. A quality provider can ensure your ASHP keeps running well and doesn’t end up costing you more than it should:

• Check that any engineers are MCS (or similar) certified for heat pump servicing.
• Before booking a service such as Service My, check the website for testimonials.
• If you want to save money, reputable servicing companies offer annual contracts.

The Future of ASHPs in the UK

More and more people are having heat pumps installed, and the UK is embracing them with open arms and at the current rate, the market will grow by around 11% over the next few years. 

Obviously, this is good news because as ASHP installers learn about them, the rate of mistakes will come down, and they will become more skilled. However, with more adoption, the UK’s energy efficiency will also steadily improve with time.

To meet Net Zero and low-carbon goals, air source heat pumps are being installed more and more in the UK. You might be apprehensive because of myths like they don’t work in the cold. 

But you can actually save money and help the country meet its goals with ASHP installation.