An air source pump is an alternative way to heat your home. It will enable you to generate your own renewable heat and potentially save money on your energy bills.

What is an air source heat pump?  An air source heat pump is a low-carbon way of heating your home. They absorb latent heat from the outside air and use it to increase the temperature inside your home.  Air source heat pumps look similar to air-conditioning units. Their size depends on how much heat they’ll need to generate for your home – the more heat, the bigger the heat pump. There are two main types of air source heat pumps: air-to-water and air-to-air. They work in different ways and are compatible with different types of heating systems.

 

How does an air source heat pump work? An air source heat pump takes heat from the air and boosts it to a higher temperature using a compressor. It then transfers the heat to the heating system in your home. They work a bit like refrigerators in reverse.  The air source heat pump absorbs heat from the outside air into a liquid refrigerant at a low temperature. Using electricity, the pump compresses the liquid to increase its temperature. It then condenses back into a liquid to release its stored heat. Heat is sent to your radiators or underfloor heating. The remainder can be stored in your hot water cylinder. You can use your stored hot water for showers, baths and taps. The pump uses electricity to run, but it should use less electrical energy than the heat it produces. This makes them an energy-efficient way to warm your home. Air source heat pumps work even if the temperature is well below zero.