What Are Heat Pumps?

Heat Pumps are an efficient way to heat or cool your property, by quietly transferring heat from the air outside and distributing it around your premises. You can save money on energy by sourcing 75% of your heating and hot water supply from energy extracted from the environment.  In fact, heat pump based systems can be 4 times more efficient than electric heating systems. As the energy captured is a renewable resource you simultaneously reduce your emissions and carbon footprint.

As of 2025, new builds won’t be allowed to utilise gas or oil-fired boilers.  Fossil fuel heating systems will be outlawed and buyers will be looking for premises that already use renewable heat sources, such as heat pumps. Heat pumps cost significantly less to run than conventional heating systems, especially traditional electric heaters. So, if you are in the market for a replacement heating system, get in touch to find out more about our heat pump installation service.

How A Heat Pump Works

How Do They Work?

They transfer thermal energy from outside your premises to the inside using a pump, refrigerant and compressor.

Most heat pumps are Air Source or Ground Source, though water source heat pumps are among the most efficient, but they are less common as they rely on access to an adjacent body of water.

Heat Pumps Work Best When Used In Properly Insulated Premises

Because heat pumps heat your premises at lower temperatures but over a longer time, they work best in well-insulated properties that maintain heat levels for longer, allowing the temperature to build up steadily.

Happy staff warm premises

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps are the most popular as they are easier and cheaper to install and very efficient.  They take heat directly from the air via a pump and compressor and bring it into the premises.  They can work in low temperatures, even when temperatures drop as low as -15C.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Ground Source Pumps are generally the most efficient type, taking heat from pipes buried in excavated shafts in the grounds of your premises. They have a significantly larger up-front cost because of the work required to install them, but once installed, they are usually even more efficient than Air Source pumps.

What Are The Benefits Of Air Source Heat Pumps?

  • They can lower fuel bills

  • Only an electricity supply is required to run an ASHP, no other fuel

  • They can heat premises and the water supply

  • Can lower carbon emissions

  • Have a long serviceable period of operation, between 15-50 years

  • Don’t require as much maintenance as traditional systems

  • Cheaper and easier to install than ground source pumps

  • Safe to operate

  • Offer cooling – by working in reverse, like an air conditioning unit

Heat Pump Evaporator / Condenser External Unit
Ground Source Heat Pump Heating Homes Efficiently

What Are The Benefits Of Ground Source Heat Pumps?

  • They can lower fuel bills

  • Only an electricity supply is required to run an ASHP, no other fuel

  • They can heat premises and the water supply

  • Can lower carbon emissions

  • Have a long serviceable period of operation, between 15-50 years

  • Don’t require as much maintenance as traditional systems

  • More efficient than air source pumps (& most conventional heating methods)

  • Safe to operate

  • Offer cooling – by working in reverse, like an air conditioning unit

Two Ways That Heat Pump Technologies  Can Warm Your Premises

Air To Water Heat Pumps

Air to water heat pumps convert the heat they have pumped into warm water for circulating to large radiators or used for underfloor heating systems.

The UK uses more air to water heating systems than air to air, as air to water systems are often compatible with existing radiators and underfloor heating which means less expense in switching from a conventional boiler to an air-source heat pump.

Air To Air

Less common than Air to water systems, air to air heat pump systems pump heat from the air outside and then use a warm air circulation system to move heat around your premises a bit like central air conditioning.

Air Source Heat Pump warming premises