It’s no surprise with the cost of living increases, that homeowners across Oxfordshire are looking at any ways to reduce bills. Back in 2020, the number of households in Oxfordshire classified as “fuel poor” was 22,861, and numbers are only rising and creating a genuine concern for those in the remote rural community.
Heating our homes is fast becoming a luxury, especially among the elderly. So knowing what help is available is essential, including preparing now for the winter ahead. And it’s time to start looking at alternative sources for our heating supplies away from natural gas which is a limited supply.
An air source heat pump is a heating system device that can be used to provide an efficient heating solution to a home. Since they can be used in just about any type of climate, they are a particularly versatile option when it comes to central heating options.
In the UK, they are of course used mostly for the heating, but with climate change and warm summers on the horizon, they may become the norm thanks to the easy switch to cool air.
How Does A Heat Pump Heat A Home?
Much like a standard air conditioning unit, a heat pump utilises the air from outside of your home, usually from the air or ground. And while much of the air outside of your home is colder than inside, the heat pump is capable of extracting heat from some of the coldest temperatures, even as low as -15°C!
Known as a air-to-water heat pump by some, the role of the air source heat pump is to transfer this warm air into water that can eventually be used to send head heat to your radiators or your underfloor heating, as well as a hot water cylinder which can heat the water in your home.
Allowing you and your family to enjoy the comfort of a warm and cosy environment throughout some of the coldest months of the year.
Reasons To Choose An Air Source Heat Pump
According to the Energy Saving Trust, air source heat pumps are a common find within the UK with thousands installed across the country. And this is for good reason. Air source heat pumps offer an excellent heating solution for homes, providing the following benefits:
- Highly efficient heating solution
- Energy saving
- Reduce your home’s carbon footprint
- Help to save money on your energy bills
Air source heat pumps are an excellent heating solution for those who want to find ways to save energy in their home. However, some homes will be better suited to heat pumps than others. One of the best ways to find out if your home is suitable for the installation of an air source heat pump is to check using the UK government’s website.
Their handy online tool makes it easy to provide detailed information about your home, including the age of the property, whether it is insulated, its EPC rating and more, and find out quickly whether an air source heat pump is the right choice to heat your home.
Air Source Heat Pump Installation In The UK
Across the UK thousands of homes have chosen to install an air source heat pump as a more energy efficient way of heating their homes, when compared to the traditional use of mains gas, oil or LPG heating systems. You can check your property to see if a heat pump will be suitable on the official government site, where you can answer some quick questions based on the year built, type of walls, etc.
One thing to consider is that you will need a space outside of your home where the unit can be fitted. This could be on the wall or on the ground, but it must be placed in an area with sufficient air flow.
However, the cost of an air source heat pump in the UK can be around £14,000. This is where ECO Funding becomes useful. For those who are eligible for the ECO4 Grant, a scheme backed by the UK government, you could access free air source heat pump installation for your home, saving heating costs in the future. This is aimed at low-income homeowners on benefits, with priority for those suffering from fuel poverty.
Are air source heat pumps considered green energy and environmentally friendly?
Yes, Air Source Heat Pumps are considered a green energy technology because they use renewable energy sources such as the air to generate heat for heating buildings. They are more energy-efficient than traditional heating systems that rely on fossil fuels, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and overall energy consumption. This more sustainable and environmentally friendly option for heating and cooling, which can lower our carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Air source heat pumps are typically powered by electricity, so combined with solar energy can become a free source of air conditioning in the hot summer months. Saving the environment and money at the same time? Sounds ideal to me!
