Investing in an air source heat pump can be a fantastic way to save the planet and save you money. In fact, an air source heat pump could cut your carbon footprint by 44% compared to a traditional gas boiler.
Installing an air source heat pump is likely to save you up to £1,760 overall, compared to a gas boiler, whilst on average, using three times less energy. The reason for the overall reduced cost is that an air source heat pump can last twice as long as a traditional gas boiler before needing to be replaced.
What are Air Source Heat Pumps?
Air Source Heat Pumps are a heating and cooling technology that can use renewable energy to take heat from outside to warm your home (even when it’s freezing).
There are two types of air source heat pumps, air-to-water systems and air-to-air. Air-to-water systems use the heat from outside to heat water which can be pumped through the house into radiators and underfloor heating; it can also be used to heat your hot water tank. Air-to-air systems use fans to dispense their heat directly, meaning they can’t be used to heat water. Whilst air-to-air systems may be cheaper, they might not be an as effective heating solution for draughty or poorly-insulated homes, so this is an important factor to consider.
Costs of Air Source Heat Pump Installation
The cost of installing an air source heat pump largely depends on the size of the unit. However, a good range to consider would be £8,000 to £15,000; depending on the brand of the pump and its heat output.
Although through the government’s grant scheme you can get up to £5000 off the cost of your air source heat pump, which may make this an economical choice for your home.
You may also want to be aware of the installation costs, as these can differ significantly. If you’d like an air distribution system or underfloor heating, the prices of these (once again including installation) will need to be factored in too.
Running Costs
Running an air source heat pump can be significantly cheaper than a gas or oil boiler. This is because air source heat pumps can function with electricity derived from renewable energy, which also means they can be a carbon-free way of heating your home. Air Source Heat Pumps also need to be replaced significantly less often than a traditional gas boiler.
On average, a gas boiler can last around ten years before it needs to be replaced. However, an air source heat pump will last, on average, twenty years before it begins to need a replacement. This means that over time, your air source heat pump can provide huge savings; without factoring in the government grants that can help you with the upfront costs of purchasing one.
Service Costs
It is a requirement of the manufacturer’s warranty on Air Source Heat Pumps that your unit is serviced annually; it is also a condition of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) that your unit is running efficiently. The best way to do this is to ensure that your Air Source Heat Pump is regularly serviced and well maintained.
As part of servicing and maintaining your air source heat pump, an engineer will ensure that the level and pressure of refrigerants are still healthy and that the ducts have the correct amount of airflow, including making repairs to ducts, motors or belts if necessary.
More information about the servicing and maintenance procedure can be found in our comprehensive guide to servicing and maintenance.
Why Air Source Heat Pumps Are Right For You
As we mentioned earlier in the blog, using an air source heat pump in your home can help you to cut your carbon footprint by a whopping 44%, or 2.6 tonnes of CO2 every year – whilst costing you less overall within the next 20 years.
With the looming guarantee that the sale of new gas boilers will be banned by 2035, air source heat pumps are the perfect way to future-proof yourself. With rising energy costs, the value of the increased efficiency that an air source heat pump can provide is growing exponentially.
Installation, Servicing, Maintenance and Upgrades From Accurate Mechanical Services
After installation, it’s a good idea to look into receiving regular maintenance from your installer. At Accurate Mechanical Services, we provide an installation handover pack, including a maintenance quote. This means we can offer an extended manufacturer’s warranty for the heat pumps we install for up to 5 years.
If you’re interested in Air Source Heat Pump installation, servicing, maintenance, or an upgrade for your air source heat pump, get in touch with Accurate Mechanical Services. We’re a heating, ventilation and air conditioning specialist in the South East.