With gas boilers being phased out, air-source heat pumps will completely change how we heat our houses. Air-to-water heat pumps, which use technology that eliminates the need to burn fossil fuels, offer low-carbon heating that dramatically reduces energy costs. Since heat pumps are already becoming increasingly popular, more and more homeowners are questioning whether they can install one on their property. This blog at Prisma Boiler Grants discusses the requirements of an air-source heat pump’s interior and exterior space. You’ll also learn about heat pump sizes, which are confusingly different from space needs. We will also examine the expenses, grants, and savings associated with air-source heat pumps.
Space Requirements for Air Source Heat Pumps
Indoor and outdoor units are the primary parts of air source heat pump systems.
The exterior device is called a collector because it collects heat from the surrounding air. The air handler, an inside unit, then receives this heat.
In contrast to several other kinds of heat pumps, air-source heat pumps don’t take up much room inside or outside your house.
Space Requirements for Heat Pump Outdoor Units
Since it is the system’s primary component, the external heat pump unit is just “the heat pump.”
It occupies almost the same area as two washing machines because it is 1.5 metres high and 0.5 to 1 metre broad.
Heat pumps are typically placed on the ground near a house, either at its side or back. They can also be installed close to ground level on an exterior wall.
By reducing the amount of pipes, either of these alternatives improves system efficiency. For a heat pump to operate efficiently, there must be enough airflow and few blockages. This requires a minimum of 1.5 metres of free space in front of the device.
Different Places for Heat Pumps
Sometimes, there must be more room to install a heat pump in the best spot.
For example, the pathway on the side of your house where you wish to place the heat pump might need to be more significant.
If your roof is flat, you can install the heat pump there if it is at least one metre from the edge. However, it will be more challenging to get to it for maintenance. A garden is a popular alternate place for a heat pump outside the unit.
Garden Heat Pump
A heat pump outdoor unit should be placed at least one metre away from any vegetation that could impede airflow in your garden. To adhere to heat pump rules, it must also be at least one metre from the edge of your property.
Remember to trim back foliage regularly to prevent it from encroaching on the unit.
Additionally, maintenance expenses might be higher because the pipes are more challenging to reach.
Another thing to remember is that a heat pump placed in the garden far from your house will require additional plumbing to connect to the indoor unit, which will result in some heat loss.
Requirements for Heat Pump Indoor Space
Ideally, heat pump interior units are mounted on the wall near the external unit. They require roughly the same amount of room as a gas boiler. However, the hot water cylinder is probably the most critical factor in space.
If your air source heat pump provides central heating and a hot water supply, you will require one. Standard hot water cylinders typically include heat exchanger coils that are too tiny to accommodate a heat pump.
The size of your home and the amount of water it uses will determine the cylinder’s capacity or how many litres it can contain.
A 180-litre heat pump water tank, with a diameter of 0.5 metres and a height of about 1.3 metres, is required for the typical three-bedroom house.
Why Heat Pumps are replacing Boilers
In the UK, homes are responsible for about 14% of carbon emissions—this goes beyond automobiles. This is mostly due to the fact that the majority of homes—roughly 23 million—use gas boilers for hot water and central heating.
However, the days of using fossil fuels to heat our houses are coming to an end as the nation works towards its goal of having net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Eleven other European nations have already outlawed boilers. The UK will eventually ban gas boiler sales, starting with phasing out boiler installations in newly constructed homes. It’s unknown when this will occur.
Costs, Savings, and Grants for Heat Pumps
Depending on the size of your house, installing an air source heat pump usually costs between £8,400 and £12,000 or more. However, heat pumps pay for themselves by saving hundreds of pounds annually on energy costs. Additionally, government-funded grants significantly reduce installation costs for low-income households switching from an outdated, inefficient boiler to a heat pump. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers up to £7,500 (BUS). Additionally, local governments provide heat pump funding through the ECO4 Flex (flexible eligibility) program and the Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO4). With Prisma Boiler Grants, you can determine how much room your air source heat pump will require and apply for a heat pump grant.