Air Source Heat Pumps

There are 2 main types of air source heat pump systems; Air to Air and Air to Water.

Air to Air heat pumps produce warm air which will circulate throughout your home using an indoor fan unit.

Air to Water heat pumps will heat your home via your existing central heating system.

APG is a Worcester Bosch accredited installer and works predominately with Worcester Bosch heat pumps. However we are able to work with you using a cross section of manufacturers.

Is it suitable for your property?

Are you replacing an existing system? If you are replacing electric or coal it will pay for itself quickly.

Do you have the space? The outdoor unit can be wall or floor mounted, it just needs good space around it for air flow. Air to Air units are fairly compact in size and ideal for smaller properties and for conservatories. The only criteria are a wall space or solid base such as a paved area. Air to water units are slightly larger and placed on a solid based on the outer wall of the property and provide heat to larger radiators or under floor heating. An Air to water unit works just like a conventional boiler used for heating and hot water via a hot water cylinder.

Is it cost effective for me?

Significant savings are to be made if you are replacing an electric heating system, but also if the existing system is old your running costs can be reduced and further enhanced by installing under floor heating. For initial installation there are grants available under the Renewable Heat Premium Payment at the moment and they are:

Air Source          £850.00 to customers off gas
Ground Source  £1250.00 to customers off gas
Solar Thermal    £300.00

As a financial incentive the Renewable Heat Incentive announced by the government in March 2011 was put in place to encourage people / businesses to change from using fossil fuels to renewable products. It will be available to all customers in receipt of the Premium Payment when it is introduced in autumn 2012.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Using energy stored in the earth all year round, even in winter, ground source heat pumps are an excellent way to lower your fuel bills if you are considering moving to renewable energy for a heat and hot water source.

Is it suitable?

There are more considerations to make with ground source heat pumps than air source but installation is relatively straight forward. Considerations include : - size of the property and amount of space available; size of the property you are going to heat / need hot water for; what fuel type are you replacing; are you going to do other building work anyway.

A ground source heat pump works through loops of pipe, called a ground loop, buried vertically or horizontally in the garden /grounds of your property. For a larger property it may be more suitable to have a vertical bore hole as you would need a larger loop of pipe. If you going to be doing building work / or a new development anyway, that is the ideal time to consider this type of heat pump.

Is it cost effective for me?

As with Air Source more savings are to be made if you are replacing a costly electrical heating system with a ground source system. Also if the system is an older one where the running costs are high installing a ground source heat pump will save you money.

Renewable Heat Incentive payments will also be available to customers who go ahead and install ground source when it is introduced in the autumn of 2012.

For more information on ground or Air source Heat pumps visit the energy saving trust website: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or Worcester Bosch - www.worcester-bosch.co.uk

For further assistance or a free quotation please contact us on 01772 697166