Heat Pumps have been very popular lately, and it is quite possible you may have come across this term recently. In the past few months, we have seen them being mentioned on news channels, government websites, environmental blogs and even social media. With all the ongoing buzz around heat pumps, it is quite natural for the general audience to get a bit curious about them.

You may have multiple questions about heat pumps and we are here to answer them. Are they worth it? What really are heat pumps? Do you need them? What is the best way to utilise them?

Buckle up. We are here to answer all these questions-

What is a heat pump?

To put it simply, a heat pump is a type of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that uses electricity to transfer heat from one location to another. It can be used to heat a home in the winter by transferring heat from the outside air or ground into the home, and can also be used to cool a home in the summer by reversing the process and transferring heat from inside the home to the outside. Heat pumps are generally more energy efficient than traditional heating and cooling systems because they use electricity to move heat, rather than generating heat through combustion.

There are mainly three types of heat pumps -

Air to Air
Water Source
Geothermal.

We will be expanding on these further down in this article.

How do heat pumps function?

As we mentioned above, there are three different types of heat pumps and they all function a bit differently. We will try to break down their functionalities in the simplest way possible.

Air Heat Pumps - An air heat pump works like a reverse air conditioner. It extracts heat from the outside air, even in cold weather, and transfers it indoors to heat up your house. The pump contains a refrigerant that absorbs the heat from the outside air and then releases it inside through a process called compression. This warms up the air inside your home and helps keep it comfortable. The heat pump can also work in reverse to cool your home during hot weather. An air heat pump can be paired with water radiators in a heating system by using a water-to-water heat exchanger. The heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and uses it to heat up water, which is then circulated through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger transfers the heat from the water to the water in the central heating system, which then flows through the radiators to warm up the rooms.

It's important to note that not all water radiators are compatible with air heat pumps, as some may require higher water temperatures than can be achieved with this type of system.

Water Heat Pumps - Water heat pumps are a type of renewable heating system that use the warmth from a nearby water source, such as a lake, river, or existing building water supply to heat up buildings or hot water. But how do they work?

First, a loop of water or antifreeze solution is pumped from a heat exchanger into the water source and then back to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger contains a refrigerant that absorbs the heat from the water source as it passes through. The refrigerant then changes from a liquid to a gas and is compressed, which increases its temperature even further.

The hot gas is then circulated through a second heat exchanger, where it transfers its heat to the water or air that is being heated. After the refrigerant has given up its heat, it returns to its liquid state and the process starts again.

Water heat pumps are highly efficient and can provide a renewable source of heating, as they rely on the natural warmth of the water source rather than burning fossil fuels. They are often used in large-scale heating applications, such as commercial buildings, but can also be used in homes with access to a nearby water source.

In summary, water heat pumps are an eco-friendly and efficient way to heat buildings or hot water, using the natural warmth of a nearby water source.

Geothermal heat pumps - These are a type of renewable heating and cooling system that use the constant temperature of the ground to regulate the temperature inside a building.

First, a loop of water or antifreeze solution is circulated through underground pipes, known as a ground loop, that are buried in the earth. The ground loop can be installed vertically, in a series of boreholes, or horizontally, in trenches dug into the ground.

As the loop circulates, it absorbs heat from the ground in the winter and deposits heat into the ground in the summer. This is possible because the temperature underground remains relatively constant throughout the year, usually between 45°F and 75°F, depending on the location.

The heat absorbed from the ground is then transferred to a heat exchanger inside the building. The heat exchanger contains a refrigerant that absorbs the heat and changes from a liquid to a gas. The gas is then compressed, which increases its temperature even further.

The hot gas is then circulated through a second heat exchanger, where it transfers its heat to the air or water that is being heated. After the refrigerant has given up its heat, it returns to its liquid state and the process starts again.

Geothermal heat pumps are highly efficient and can provide both heating and cooling. They are also eco-friendly, as they rely on the natural heat of the earth rather than burning fossil fuels.

In summary, geothermal heat pumps are a renewable and efficient way to regulate the temperature inside a building, using the constant temperature of the ground as a heat source or sink.

Do I need a heat pump?

A heat pump can be a cost-effective and energy-efficient way to heat a home in the UK, but it may not be necessary for all homes. Factors to consider when deciding whether to install a heat pump include the type of existing heating system, the size and insulation of the home, and the local climate. Because the heat pump is using a renewable source of heat, such as the air or ground, it can provide heat at a much lower cost than traditional heating systems. This can result in significant savings on your energy bills over time. Homeowners who are looking for a more efficient and eco-friendly way to heat and cool their homes may benefit from switching to a heat pump. Heat pumps can be especially advantageous for those who live in countries with moderate climates like the United Kingdom, as they are most efficient when the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the home is not too extreme.

If you have a newly built house, it could be a great opportunity to incorporate heat pumps into the design of the building. By installing a heat pump system from the beginning, you can ensure that the building is optimized for energy efficiency and comfort.

It is also important to consult with a heating professional to determine whether a heat pump would be a suitable option for your home. Don’t want to pay for consultation hours? Just reach out to us on either (0)7823 779572 or send us an email to discuss if heat pumps would be the right investment for you.

Are there any benefits of heat pumps?

There are quite a lot of benefits to having heat pumps in your home. However, we would like to mention the top five reasons why you might find them to be helpful.

Energy Efficiency: Heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat, rather than generate it, making them much more energy efficient than traditional heating systems.
Cost Savings: As heat pumps use less energy, they can save homeowners a significant amount of money on their heating bills.
Versatility: Heat pumps can be used for both heating and cooling, which makes them a great all-in-one solution for home comfort.
Environmental Benefits: Heat pumps do not burn fossil fuels, so they do not produce emissions or contribute to air pollution.
Low Maintenance: Heat pumps require very little maintenance and have a long lifespan, which means less repair and replacement costs for homeowners.
The cost of installing a heat pump in the UK can vary depending on several factors, such as the type and size of the system, the complexity of the installation, and the location of your property. On average, the cost of installing an air source heat pump can range from £6,000 to £12,000. However, it's important to note that there may be additional costs involved, such as the cost of removing an existing boiler, upgrading your insulation, or upgrading your electrical system. It's always best to get a quote from a qualified installer to get an accurate estimate of the cost for your specific situation. Heat pumps can be a good investment when compared to gas boilers, especially in the long term. While the upfront cost of installing a heat pump may be higher than that of a gas boiler, heat pumps are typically more efficient and can help to reduce your energy bills over time. Additionally, heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than gas boilers, as they produce fewer emissions and rely on renewable energy sources such as the air or ground.

Heat Pumps Vs Gas Boilers

Let's say you have a two-floor house that's about 200 square meters big and was built according to building regulations. To heat your house, you would need about 25,000 kWh per year, and if four people live in the house, you would need about 3.488 kWh per day for hot water.

If you want to use a gas boiler to heat your house, it would cost you about £2,631 per year for gas, and for hot water, it would cost you around £536 per year. If you want to use a heat pump to heat your house, it would cost you about £1,976 per year for electricity, and for hot water, it would cost you around £301 per year if you want to heat it to 50°C. If you want to heat the water to 60°C, it would cost an additional £132 per year.

A gas boiler is about 95% efficient, which means it would need about 26,316 kWh of gross energy per year to heat your house. With gas prices at 10p, that would cost you about £2,631 per year.

On the other hand, a heat pump with a COP of 4.3 would only need about 5,814 kWh of electricity per year to heat your house. With electricity prices at 14.37p/kWh, that would cost you about £835 per year. For hot water, if you only need to heat it to 50°C, a heat pump would cost you about £301 per year in electricity. However, if you need to heat the water to 60°C, it would cost an additional £132 per year.

Overall, a heat pump would still cost slightly less to run than a gas boiler, even if you need to heat your water to 60°C. Whereas, we have had customers who were successful in keeping their properties sufficiently warm even at delta T 23 by pairing their heat pumps with Eskimo’s highly efficient Column radiators.

What kind of radiator is the best for pairing with a heat pump?

When it comes to choosing a radiator for your heat pump system, you'll want to look for a radiator that is highly efficient. Why is efficiency so important? Well, heat pumps operate most efficiently when they produce water at a lower temperature (usually around 25-45°C or 77-113°F). This is different from traditional boilers, which often operate at much higher temperatures.

By selecting a high-efficiency radiator, you can help to ensure that your heat pump system is running at its most efficient level. This can help to save you money on your energy bills over time. Plus, it's better for the environment too!

Aluminium radiators are a popular choice for those looking to pair their radiator with a heat pump system. This is because aluminium radiators have higher efficiency compared to traditional steel radiators.

One of the main reasons why aluminium radiators are more efficient is due to their heat conductivity. Aluminium is a highly conductive material, which means that it can transfer heat more quickly and efficiently than other materials. This means that less water is needed to heat the same amount of space, which in turn reduces the load on the heat pump system.

Another factor that contributes to the efficiency of aluminium radiators is their low water content. Because aluminium is so good at transferring heat, less water is required to heat a space compared to traditional radiators. This means that the system can heat up more quickly, which can help to reduce energy consumption and save you money on your energy bills.

Finally, aluminium radiators are also lightweight and durable. This means that they are easy to install and can last for many years with little maintenance required. They are also more environmentally friendly compared to traditional radiators, as they can be recycled at the end of their lifespan.

In summary, aluminium radiators are a popular choice for pairing with heat pump systems due to their high efficiency, fast heat transfer, low water content, lightweight design, durability, and environmental friendliness.

If you are looking for aluminium radiators that could meet your needs for heat pumps, you would love our Column radiators. Eskimo column radiators are highly efficient and have a full aluminium construction. To understand what size of Column would suit your needs, you can use our calculator which helps you pick the best size after bringing important factors into consideration like - required radiator heat output in watts, water flow temperature, expected return temperature, and ambient air temperature.