Heat Pumps

To provide the same heat to a room as a typical boiler, a heat pump needs more radiators, bigger radiators, or a combination.

Underfloor heating is ideal for a heat pump because it turns the entire floor surface into a heat emitter.

If you need to alter radiators and pipework, there could be significant disruption and damage to your home.

Air source heat pump units also have a visual impact. Once a ground or water source system is installed, you won't see it. However, the installation of a collector loop can involve substantial groundworks.

Ground or water source systems usually need considerably more indoor space due to bulkier plant equipment.

A heat pump is unlikely to be a good option if your home isn't well insulated. The system would struggle to deliver enough heat and still be efficient.

Improve your home's insulation first or consider other renewable energy options.

There is very little maintenance needed when it comes to heat pumps. Yet, it's wise to make sure vegetation doesn’t build up around an Air Source Heat Pump as this will obstruct the flow of fresh air to the unit and impact efficiency.

Typically, a heat pump will require only a visual inspection by a qualified individual once every year to three years, but check with your installer.

Which type of heat pump is best?

If you don't have enough land, scope for a borehole, or suitable watercourse, then ground/water source heat pumps won't be suitable for your home.

If air source and ground/water source are all options for you, consider the costs. While ground or water source heat pumps can have lower running costs over the longer term, they have a higher installation cost.