High Temperature Air Source Heat Pump

Standard air source heat pumps take longer than boilers to heat home spaces, requiring larger radiators and good insulation to stop heat from escaping during this process. High temperature models work at the same heating level as gas boilers and can be installed without the need for new radiators or extensive insulation – an important factor for many households.

Energy Efficiency

As with standard heat pumps high temperature units draw warmth from the air, ground or water – and convert it to heating for your home. They then provide hot water at temperatures of around 75 – 80oC which is the same level as gas boilers.

The energy efficiency high temperature air source heat pump of an air source heat pump is based on how much more heating it delivers for the electrical energy consumed. The higher the HSPF rating, the more efficient the system.

Using a compressor, condenser and expansion valve to change the state of liquid refrigerant between a colder liquid and a warmer gas, the heat pump is able to transfer ambient energy in the form of heat energy into the home. This can produce one-and-a-half to three times more heating than the electrical energy that it consumes.

In addition, heat pumps don’t generate any local emissions and if connected to an environmentally friendly electricity source they are virtually emission free. They are also less noisy than regular heating systems as they don’t need to rely on large fans to circulate the air in the home. However, the outdoor section of some air to water units can ice up in very cold conditions which reduces efficiencies and requires a defrost cycle. Newer (demand) systems have built in a defrost feature which reduces the need for this.

Saving Money

If you’re considering switching to a high temperature heat pump, start by finding a professional installer with experience in the type of heat pump you want to install. A reputable contractor will be familiar with the specific type of heat pump that works best for your home and can help you determine how much your new system should cost. They’ll be able to provide you with an accurate heating estimate based on a proper measurement of your house’s heat load—the number of Btus (British thermal units) needed to keep your home cozy on the coldest winter nights. Ask potential installers whether they use a “Manual J” calculation or another method to accurately measure your home’s heating requirement.

Because high temperature air source heat pumps use more power to run than low temperature ones, they tend to be more expensive to run. But the money you’ll save on your energy bills will more than make up for this extra initial investment.

Also, as a note of caution, be aware that because high temperature heat pumps are more efficient at warmer temperatures than their low temperature counterparts, they don’t function as well when it’s very cold. This means that if you have a very cold climate, a supplemental system might be required to provide adequate heating.

No Radiators Required

A high temperature air source heat pump can be used to heat your home, even if you have existing radiators. However, you will still need to have sufficient insulation and a hot water cylinder. This will help to ensure your new heating system is cost-effective in the long run, as it should require less energy than a gas boiler to produce a similar level of warmth.

The reason why this is the case is that high temperature heat pumps use a compressor to turn low-temperature energy from the air into higher-temperature energy that can be used to heat your radiators. This means that they do not require a burner to heat your property, which makes them a good choice for properties with limited space or that do not want to be exposed to any combustion gases.

Unlike standard heat pumps, high temperature models can also be used to provide your property with hot water. This makes them ideal for applications such as electroplating, slaughterhouses, hotels, schools and saunas. Daikin offers a range of domestic models, including wall-mounted units with separate hot water cylinders and single floor-standing machines with integrated hot water cylinders.

Although the performance of a high temperature heat pump will decline when temperatures drop, this should not be a problem in the UK, where the average winter temperature rarely drops below 0 degrees Celsius. You can receive up to PS5,000 towards the installation of a new high temperature heat pump through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and this system may be more cost-effective for your property than a standard model in the long run.

Installation

Air source heat pumps are installed directly into a property’s central heating system (if they are an air to air model) or a hot water system (if they are an air to water type) and heat the system to a temperature that is similar to traditional gas boilers. This means that the property can benefit from warmth without having to invest in new radiators or insulation.

However, the higher temperatures that these models can achieve does mean that they will take longer to heat high temperature air source heat pump a property compared to regular air source heat pumps, which can lead to an increase in heating bills. In this case, it may be worthwhile to look at insulation and a combination of energy efficiency measures if an air source heat pump is to be considered.

Additionally, air source heat pumps require an outdoor unit which contains moving mechanical components, such as fans, which can produce noise. In order to reduce the impact of this, it is advisable to locate the unit away from windows and neighbouring properties. Modern devices also offer a silent mode which can be operated to reduce fan speed and thus noise output. Additionally, acoustic enclosures can be used to further reduce the noise.