Air to water heat pumps can provide heating for your home without the cost and environmental impact of more traditional heating systems. Of course, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to this type of heating, but air to water heat pumps, fitted by heat pump installers Ireland needs, are certainly gaining in popularity.
If you’re considering installing air to water heat pumps in your home, we can help you make an informed decision. Is a heat pump is the right choice for you?
What is an air to water heat pump?
Air to water heat pumps Ireland transfer the heat of the air outside your home to heat the water inside your home, which can be drawn from a tap or used for radiators.
Heat is absorbed by a fluid that passes through a heat exchanger, which transfers the heat to the water. It’s similar in principle to how a refrigerator works, but in reverse – rather than removing heat from a box (your fridge) to keep your food fresh, heat is drawn into a box (your home) to keep it warm.
Heat Pumps – What are the disadvantages?
One of the biggest disadvantages of air to water heat pumps is that they are not suitable for every home. To install air to water heat pumps, homes need to be well-insulated. If your home doesn’t have sufficient insulation, you’ll probably want to address that before installing a heat pump.
Air to water heat pumps require electricity to function, and you might be concerned about the cost of using electricity for a heating solution. However, the electricity used isn’t as much as you might imagine, and solar panels can help offset any cost.
Heat pumps are less efficient in colder weather as they need to work harder to produce the heat needed for your home. This will increase your electricity bill, but don’t forget that your gas bill will be lowered by switching to air to water pumps.
One final disadvantage is that heat pumps can cost more to install than other forms of heating – but there are ways to minimize this cost.
How much does it cost to install a heat pump in Ireland?
The cost of the heat pump itself will vary depending on the specification you need, and there will also be other work required – perhaps decommissioning a gas boiler or maybe even replacing your radiators.
However, SEAI grants are available to help with the cost of installing alternative heating systems. The air to water grant can offer up to €6,500 (depending on the type of home you live in) towards the cost of installing a heat pump system, with further grants available for a technical assessment to ensure your home is suitable for a heat pump to be installed.
The team at NRM is happy to provide a technical assessment for you as we are registered with the SEAI to deliver such a service.
NRM Plumbing Heating and Gas Boiler Replacement, 26 Glendoo Close, Walkinstown, Dublin 12. D12E7N9. Phone: +353 1 535 29 48. Mobile: +353 87 990 89 13
Is it expensive to heat with a heat pump?
No, it is not expensive to heat your home with a heat pump. Air to water pumps run on electricity and are highly efficient. While it’s true that the colder the weather, the harder they need to work, the same could be said of any home heating system. Who doesn’t turn up the heating in the middle of winter?
The overall cost of running a heat pump is usually much lower than using gas central heating.
Can a heat pump heat a whole house?
Yes, but it will depend on the size of your house. Heat pumps are available in different sizes, just like boilers, and it is important to choose the right size for your home.
You may need more than one heat pump installed in some circumstances, but this is the exception rather than the rule. A full technical assessment will indicate the requirements of your home, and we will be able to advise accordingly.
What are the pros and cons of a heat pump?
You’ll see the disadvantages of heat pumps above, but air to water heat also have many benefits:
– Saves money: Heat pumps use electricity to run and are very efficient. You can certainly save money on your heating bills. If you have solar panels installed, you could save a significant amount.
– Eco-friendly: They do not rely on fossil fuels such as oil and gas. Air to water pumps can be powered entirely by renewable energy sources.
– Durable: air to water heat pumps can last as long as 20 years, which is often beyond the efficient operational lifespan of a boiler.
– No air pollution: There are no air pollutants with air to water heat pumps because they work on electricity.
Is it cheaper to heat with gas or heat pump?
How much does it cost to run an air source heat pump? That depends entirely on your usage patterns – the more you use it and the higher the temperature you require, the more it will cost to run.
Because of their high efficiency, it is possible to reduce your energy bills by up to 30% – and heat pumps generally require less maintenance than gas boilers.
The actual efficiency level will be affected by the temperatures outside and how much insulation you have inside, so it is important to have an initial assessment before proceeding with an installation.
Do air source heat pumps save money? Only if they are installed in suitable homes by a professional team.
Before purchasing a system, it is important to examine your own usage patterns and consult with the professionals at NRM who can advise you on how much money air source heat pumps will save you.
Find out more about air to water heat pumps installation
Heat pumps are a big investment, and we want to help you make the right choice. We will examine your home and lifestyle with a series of technical assessments to determine exactly what air to water heat pump is most appropriate for you.
Contact us today for more information or to schedule an air source heat pumps installation consultation.
Ever wondered about How To Save Money On Heating – Check out our latest blog post for details.
