Air to water pumps

Air to water heat pumps comprise of both an outdoor and an indoor unit, with both working in tandem to supply a home’s heating requirements. The outside unit extracts energy from the air outside, which is then compressed to a high temperature. The warm air is then used to generate hot water.

Installation of an air to water heat pump requires an outside wall, but they take up very little space internally, which makes them ideal for smaller homes and apartments. There are numerous advantages to having such a system installed;

• Could lower fuel bills, especially if replacing an older and less energy efficient system
• Can function as an air cooler for the summer months
• Can function as an air purifier, which is advantageous for allergy sufferers
• Has the potential to provide you with an income via the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive
• No fuel deliveries required
• Requires little maintenance, as it is considered a ‘fit and forget’ technology
• Often easier to install that a ground source heat pump system, though it is usually less efficient

How do they work?

Air to water systems, as mentioned, comprise of two units. The outdoor unit absorbs air from outside your home into a refigerant solution, which is then compressed to a high temperature and imported inside.

This internal unit then extracts the warm air from the solution and uses it to heat up a water supply. This is then used to generate the hot water that will be used within the home.

What do I need?

To install an air to water heat pump system you will need to consider the following;

• Do you have the space required to have the outdoor unit installed? Ideally it should be fitted on an external wall or placed on the ground, with plenty of room to allow air to circulate around it. The indoor unit is generally quite small and easy to place.
• Your home must be well insulated. Air to water heat pumps work best when producing heat at lower temperatures than standard boilers produce, so your home must be well insulated and made draught proof to ensure maximum effect.
• Which fuel the system will be replacing. Air to water pumps tend to pay for themselves quite quickly when put in place of an electric or coal heating system. However they may not be the best option for homes that use a gas-based system.
• Which type of heating system it will operate with. Air to water heat pumps work best with underfloor heating systems, with radiators being less workable.
• Whether or not the air to water heat pump is intended for a new development. Combining the installation of the system with other building work can help to reduce costs.