The efficiency of air source heat pumps is actually a wonder as these pumps usually work with efficiency of 200-400 percent, producing 2-4kWh of heat in relation to 1 kWh of electricity that is used.
Such a performance can save your heating outputs as much as 50 percent as compared to the traditional gas boilers. Although, not all UK homeowners are maximising such benefits as they treat heat pumps like traditional heating systems.
This guide will take you on a practical walk through on the steps of maximising the performance of your air source heat pump, which will enable you to reach optimal efficiencies and have your home comfortable.
The Working Principle of Air Source Heat Pumps
The principle of air source heat pumps (ASHPs) shows it as a radically different way of heating a house than any other conventional heating system. These new systems do not produce heat, but instead they move implemented heat energy at a single location.
Why would Air Source Heat Pumps be an Alternative to Boilers?
Conventional boilers are powered by gas or oil to produce heat with their gas or oil boilers usually running at an efficiency of 90-94 percent. Conversely, the air source heat pumps are electric powered and do not produce heat, but transport it, displaying amazingly high efficiency rates of 300-400 percent. This is equivalent to the fact that ASHPs generate 3 to 4 units of heat that are produced considering a unit of electricity used.
The Process of Heat Extraction and Transfer
The working principle of air source heat pumps is to use a four step cycle.
Step by Step
1. Evaporation: An evaporator has a fan that pulls outside air over an evaporator coil within which a refrigerant exists. The refrigerant keeps taking the latest heat off air and turns into gas.
2. Compression: The gas exits using a compressor which heats its temperature and positively influences pressure.
3. Condensation: The hot gas is then passed through a condenser and the heat is passed on to the heating system within your home.
4. Expansion: The refrigerant condenses down and it turns back to liquid form and it starts all over again.
Note: Basically, ASHP is similar to a refrigerator operated in reverse whereby, it draws heat out of the external surroundings and supplies it to your heating unit.
Check out our comprehensive guide on how an air source heat pump works!
Efficiency is a Factor of the Outdoor Temperature
The Coefficient of Performance (COP)
The ratio between the amount of heat produced to the electricity consumed determines the efficiency of an air source heat pump. Mostly, high COP implies high efficiency.
Important: The efficiency of the air source heat pump is greatly affected by the temperature outside. Under conditions typical of an outdoor operating environment in the 7 degree Celsius temperature range, a typical heat pump has a COP of about 4.5 which may reduce to 2.3 at -7 degree Celsius.
However, high-technology ASHPs are also capable of harvesting heat out of air with as low a temperature as -20 degree Celsius. It is especially so in the case of climate conditions in the UK where extremely low temperatures tend to be quite temporary.
Examples include the fact that an average morning temperature that is low (-6 degree Celsius) can normally increase by a number of degrees in the course of the day.
Note: Your air source heat pump will heat your house on even coldest days, though in cold air it will only bring it to 18 degree Celsius instead of 21 degree Celsius as the system struggles harder to release the heat to warm your house.
Home Incidentals to Improve Performance
By improving the physical characteristics of your home, the efficiency of the air source heat pump can be significantly improved. Such strategic enhancements are combined with the best settings to generate a perfect environment in which ASHP heating will occur.
Increasing Insulation and Closing Air Cracks
Any viable heat pump system is based on proper insulation. In insulating lofts, the cost of insulating can save heat loss to the outside world by up to 25 percent and cavity wall insulation decreases it to around 35 percent.
In case of older properties having solid walls, suitable insulation can help reduce heat loss up to 45. More so, air leakages near windows, doors and any other entry points can be sealed to ensure that no unnecessary exchange of heat is carried out in the air that could cause your system to operate unnecessarily just to bring the temperatures back to track.
The Installation of Smart Thermostats and Zoning
Intelligent controls provide personal control on 12 different heating zones to enable the heating of rooms, which are in use. Such systems can then save the yearly heating expenses by as much as 32 percent using accurate temperature regulation and time scheduling.
Other Advanced Wizards to Optimise Effectiveness
Other than using settings and improving your house, there are high budget strategies that can enhance and boost the level of your air source heat pump. These would be the methods that rule out technological innovations and intelligent applications patterns.
Solar Panels and Battery Storage Combined
Your ASHP can be paired with solar panels to have an outstanding efficient system. You can have your heat pump feeding on solar electricity, practically cheaply, all day long.
Pro Tip: This design is further enhanced by adding battery storage that would store the extra solar energy to be used during evening hours. Such an integrated approach enables households to be very independent, and they may not even need grid electricity at times when heating is most needed. Discover the full benefits of solar panels for home energy savings.
Short Cycling
This is when your heat pump is switched on and off many times throughout the day, this has a significant reduction of efficiency and high wear. These are blocked filters, leakage of refrigeration and the wrong temperature settings of thermostats.
Important Point: Having the heat cycle not more than 2-3 times per hour is most efficient by the heat pump. Unsophisticated thermostats that initiate high frequency cycling can reduce the life of compressors. Weather Compensation Controls are far more superior and allow constant functioning.
Read our in-depth article on evaluating the effectiveness of air source heat pumps to make an informed decision!
Takeaways
- Maximisation of your air source heat pump efficiency means that you need to take a completely different approach to the conventional heating systems.
- Ensuring you set your proper flow temperatures, set your heating curve properly, and use weather compensation features are the basis of effective operation of ASHP.
- Also you must upgrade the insulation of your home, install radiators of the right size and zoning controls will be an added advantage to improving system performance during the cold winters in the UK.
You may also qualify for an air source heat pump grant to help cover the costs of these upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In order to achieve maximum efficiency, change heating curve settings and flow temperature, take advantage of weather compensation options, and operate the cycles of hot water boost. Furthermore, insulate your home better, install bigger radiators and maybe install smart thermostats and zoning systems.
Yes, usually it is more economical to maintain your heat pump running constantly at some constant temperature instead of switching the power on and off as often. This solution can be used to follow a uniform level of comfort and lower the number of energy uses with time.
The UK air source heat pumps normally have efficiency of 200-400 percent indicating that 2-4 kWh of heat can be produced using 1 kWh of electricity. Such a level of efficiency can make expenses on heating reduced tremendously as against the older systems.
Establishing a low-running cost base (off-peak electricity tariffs, own heat pump and solar panels with a battery, add efficiency-enhancing additives, such as EndoTherm). Frequent changes and periodic maintenance can also be used to ensure that the operation expenses are reduced. Get a free quote to understand the potential savings you can make.
To be more efficient, keep temperatures constant between 18-21 degree Celsius. Fix your flow temperature at between 40-55 degree Celsius because the lower it is, the more efficient it is. It is necessary to remember that each 5 degree Celsius increase in flow temperature may cause a loss of efficiency by about 9.2%.
