Air Source Heat Pump Installation

With rising gas prices together with the regulations for new builds changing in June 2022, Air Source Heat Pumps are becoming a popular option as an efficient, eco-friendly heating system. They use the energy from the air outside to heat properties, using similar technology (in reverse) to that found in your fridge freezer.

At TEK, we’re specialists in climate control systems for domestic, commercial and industrial clients, delivering services all over the UK from our base in Bristol.

With our Air Source Heat Pump Installation service, you can rest assured that we have the tools and expertise to make your Heat Pump design, sizing and installation a success and enable you to benefit from government grants or incentives (if other criteria are also met).

How do Air Source Heat Pumps Work?

The working principle of an air source heat pump is reversed from that of a refrigerator, which uses coolant fluid to heat up a space instead of cooling it. Coolant fluid flows through tubes with outside air passing through a heat exchanger.

A heat exchanger, surrounded by water or air, is then used to heat the warm, compressed gasses. The refrigerant transfers its energy to the air or water while heating it. This is then distributed inside the building, heating it up. Here’s how it happens.

The Heating Process:

1. Outside air is blown over a network of tubes filled with a refrigerant. This warms up the refrigerant, and it turns from a liquid into a gas.
2. This gas passes through a compressor, which increases the pressure. Compression also adds more heat – similar to how the air hose warms up when you top up the air pressure in your tyres.
3. The compressed, hot gases pass into a heat exchanger, surrounded by cool air or water. The refrigerant transfers its heat to this cool air or water, making it warm. In the case of air-to-water heat pumps, this is circulated around your home to provide heating and hot water. Air-to-air heat pumps produce hot air to heat your home of business. Meanwhile, the refrigerant condenses back into a cool liquid and starts the cycle all over again!

What are the Benefits?

Just a few of the benefits of air source pumps include:

• Cheaper running costs than many traditional heating methods such as Oil, LPG or direct electric
• A lower-carbon heating solution which will make a more energy efficient and sustainable house and where required can help in complying with the upcoming changes to Building Regulations
• When properly maintained, they often last at least 20 years (longer than your average gas boiler).
• The ability to choose from air-to-air, air-to-water and hybrid systems to meet your needs
• Extremely effective when twinned with underfloor heating systems, as Air Source Heat Pumps output is at a lower temperature than traditional heating methods
• Comply with lower flow water temperature requirements which will shortly be introduced for new buildings.  All new wet space heating systems will have to operate with a maximum flow temperature of 55 degrees which is in line with ASHP operating temperatures.

Save Money (and the planet) with Grants and Initiatives

To help the UK’s reach its goal of net-zero emissions by 2035, the government launched the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) .This scheme aimed to reward homeowners who switched to environmentally friendly options such as Air Source Heat Pumps. However, this project came to an end on the 31st of March, 2022.

Alternative funding options are expected to become available. For example, from April 2022, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is due to be launched. Through this scheme, applicants can receive a voucher worth up to £5,000 towards their new air source heat pump, when installed within 3 months in an existing building or custom-built new home (being built by an individual not an organisation).

With government focus towards a Future Building Standard, as part of a low carbon future, changes are also being made to Building Regulations from June 2022.  As part of these changes, new build residential properties will be required to show a 30% reduction in carbon emissions, with a 27% reduction for non-residential properties including offices and shops.

Air Source Heat Pumps will be a key component to help achieve this carbon reduction when architects are designing buildings and property developers constructing new residential homes.

High Quality Design and Installation

At TEK, we install both air and air and air to water heat source air pumps. Using a certified installer, such as TEK, is a sign of excellence, and means that your heating system will be designed with a bespoke approach to perfectly fit your building and its distribution requirements. This includes taking into account the sizing of your radiators or underfloor heating.  This means the system can perform as efficiently as possible.

Working with TEK in particular also gives your project the benefit of 20 years of experience and the expertise of our skilled engineers, who each hold CSCS skill cards as well as specific product and equipment training.

To receive a free quote for your project, call us today or fill in the contact form.