Heat pumps: a greener solution for Ireland and the UK
What is an Air Source Heat Pump?
It is a renewable energy system that provides heating and hot water using free solar energy from the air. This energy is converted to a usable temperature and can then provide all your heating and hot water requirements.
How do Air Source Heat Pumps work?
They take energy from the air using an air handling unit. This box is situated outside and contains a large fan that draws air into the unit, transferring the energy in the air through large heat exchangers. From there, the process is the same as a ground source pump system. They work like a fridge by moving energy from one place to another. For example, a bottle of wine when bought from your local supermarket is at room temperature. If you put it in your fridge and wait a few hours it will be cold enough to drink. If you touch the back of your fridge during that time you will feel warmth. The fridge has taken the low temperature energy out of the wine, compressed it up to a higher temperature and in effect has warmed the kitchen up slightly. By using the same process heat pumps remove solar energy stored in either the earth, air of water around your building, compress it to a higher temperature and transfer it into your central heating system and hot water tank. They are also known as geothermal, ground source, earth energy, air source, water source heat pumps.
Does the Air Source Heat Pump work all year round?
The system performs down to air temperatures of -15°C which means that they are more than suitable for installations within the UK. Hot water and heating can be provided 365 days a year. The hot water is produced without the aid of electrical immersions and at 55°C + is more than hot enough for baths and showers. High temperature air to water pump systems can produce temperatures of up to 80°C without the use of an electrical element.
What is weather compensation?
A weather compensated system monitors the outdoor temperature, as well as the flow and return lines on the heating side all the time. As the temperature changes the heat pump accommodates for this and ensures that the indoor temperature doesn't experience the rapid outdoor change.
Do Air Source systems freeze in cold weather?
Our Air source pump systems are not to be confused with those that are modified air conditioning units. Our air source systems come with special software that monitors the temperature of the outdoor unit. If it senses that ice is building up, it puts the unit into defrost mode which quickly defrosts any ice before going back into normal operation. Please see the video of the defrost cycle in the air to water section of our products.
How long do Air Source Heat Pump units last?
Each Air source system is designed to operate for at least 20 years.
How much annual maintenance is required on an Air Source system?
An annual maintainance check is recommended.
Are there any warranties available?
Yes, we provide a full three year parts and labour warranty for all our air source systems, if fully maintained.
How much noise do Air Source pump systems generate?
Our systems are configured as either one combined unit with the air handling unit and the heat pump in one outdoor unit or are split into two units. With the split unit, the pump sits either in a utility room or garage and the air handling unit sits outside. The air handling unit can sit up to 30m away from the property but the closer it is the more efficient the system will be. Noise levels generated from the indoor unit are in the region of 28-32dB at a one metre distance, similar to a large American style refrigerator. The outdoor unit or combined unit generates around 49dB at full fan speed at one metre distance. This is similar to the fan noise of an air conditioning unit.
Where are Air Source pump systems located?
Once again, our air source systems are either split into two units or combined into one unit. The heat pump and water tank that sits either in a utility room or garage, and the air handling unit that can sit up to 30m away from the property but again the closer it is to the building the more efficient the system will be. All essential components are located, protected, within the heat pump. This means that they are not exposed to the wind and weather and there is little heat loss outside the house.
How much space do I need for my Air Source pump system?
With a split unit the heat pump indoor unit is wall mounted and is about 0.9m high by 0.5m wide by 0.36m deep. The pipes enter it from below. Space of 300mm should be allowed to one side of the unit for access. The air handling unit requires a footprint of 1.2m x 0.7m outside. For a combined unit, the footprint of the unit is about 1.4m high by 1.4m wide by 0.38m deep. In either case the unit takes up far less space than an oil or gas tank and does not require your garden to be dug up. This makes them more suitable for retrofit than a geothermal system.
Will it provide enough hot water for baths showers & domestic hot water?
With the correct design and equipment, all domestic hot water requirements would be provided by the air source system throughout the year. These pump systems produce water at a lower temperature than boiler systems. Instead of water that may be scalding water produced is hot enough for all normal domestic requirements. You will notice that you do not have to add as much cold water to your baths and showers. The aim is to save money and energy with an air source system. There is no point in raising water temperatures to levels that can't be used anyway (above 55°C). However there is a high temperature version that can heat the water up to 80 degrees without the use of an immersion heater.
What works best with a heat pump: underfloor heating or radiators?
Underfloor heating is perfect for a pump system because it is optimal for the low temperatures of around 40 C which could be supplied by the pump. Heat pumps can work very efficiently when operating at these lower temperatures. Low temperature radiators, sized to accommodate low temperature input are also very suitable.
What is not suitable for an Air Source pump system installation?
Existing houses where the levels of insulation are unknown and where the age and type of the heating distribution system (radiators and pipes) is unknown. If in doubt contact us.
Can I heat my swimming Pool with an Air Source pump system?
For new pools an air source system is ideal. For existing swimming pools the current heat exchanger would need to be changed.
Will I need a new boiler?
You will not need a new boiler. In most cases an air source system can provide all hot water and heating requirements, without the need for top-up from a boiler. However a boiler could be connected in situations where the air source system is not large enough to meet the demand in very cold weather. This would only typically apply for very large houses or for retrofit situations where there is already an existing boiler.
How much hot water is produced each day by an Air Source pump system?
Hot water is stored and made available in pressurised tanks allowing for ample daily usage requirements. The systems utilises the advanced hot water technology providing huge amounts of hot water quickly at low cost.
How many heat pumps would I need for a large building?
One air source pump system can provide heating and hot water for a new build of over 400m2. For larger buildings an extra air source system may be required.
How much do they cost?
Systems generally cost a little more than a boiler but the payback period can be as short as 4-5 years and save you up to 75% compared to traditional methods. Not to mention reducing your carbon output by 50% +
How efficient is an air-to-water pump system?
They are 2 to 5 times more efficient as the most efficient fossil fuel furnace. Instead of burning a combustible fuel to generate heat, they simply transfer heat that already exists. By doing that, they provide 2 to 5 units of energy for every one unit of input energy used to power the air-to-water pump system.
How much will I save on fuel bills using an Air Source system?
Savings on fuel bills can be in the region of upto 75% compared with traditional heating systems.
And what about carbon emissions?
A reduction of CO2 emissions of about to 50% would be expected when compared to an oil fired system. The Energy Efficiency rating assessments of new builds using air source pump systems rated as "A" which is the highest level for heating and hot water production. An additional benefit is the residual value to the property in the event of a transfer of ownership. Air source systems have a CoP (Coefficient of Performance) of 4:1. This means for every unit of energy consumed by the air source system you would get a return of 4 usable units of usable heat energy.
Do Air Source pump systems require single phase of three phase electrical supply?
Air source pump systems can be powered by both types of supply within the voltage parameters of the building.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
How efficient is a geothermal heat pump?
They are 3 to 5 times more efficient than the most efficient fossil fuel furnace. Instead of burning a combustible fuel to generate heat, they simply transfer heat that already exists. By doing that, they provide 3 to 5 units of energy for every one unit of input energy used to power the heat pump system.
Will I have to add insulation to my home if I install one of these systems?
Geothermal pump systems will reduce your heating costs regardless of how well your home is insulated. However, insulating and weatherising are key factors in realising the most savings from any type of heating and cooling system.
What is a closed loop system?
The term "closed loop" is used to describe a geothermal pump system that uses a continuous loop of special buried collector pipe as a heat exchanger. The pipe is connected to the indoor heat pump to form a sealed, underground loop through which a water/glycol solution id circulated. Unlike an open loop system that consumes water from a well, a closed loop system re-circulates its heat transferring solution in a pressurized pipe.
How deep and long will my trenches be?
A standard installation is 1 metre deep by 1 wide and 2 times 150 metre long trenches. But we need to see your plans for an exert calculation. This would suit approximately an 11kw heat pump.
How long will the loop pipe last?
Closed loop systems should only be installed using high density polybutylene pipe. Properly installed, these pipes will last fifty plus years. They are not affected by chemicals normally found in soil and have good heat conducting properties. PVC pipe should not be used under any circumstances.
What is an open loop system?
The term "open loop" is commonly used to describe a geothermal pump system that uses groundwater from a conventional well as a heat source. The groundwater is pumped into the heat pump unit where heat is extracted, then the water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. Since groundwater is at a relatively constant temperature all year round, it is an excellent heat source. A consistent quantity and quality of water should be available for an open loop system to work sufficiently.
How the principle works
An air-to-water pump system takes its from the outdoor air which means that it does not need any collector circuit but still ensures great savings. This system transfers heat by direct vaporization when air passes through a heat exchanger. Even cold air contains sufficient heat to vaporize a refrigerant.
