Are Heat Pumps Suitable for UK Homes?

The air source heat pump is the hot topic of the low-emissions world. With the technology being seen as the widespread successor to fossil fuels. They have been successfully deployed across Europe for decades now, performing at exceptional efficiency levels across the continent. The take-up hasn’t been so swift back at home, despite possessing milder climates than those of Sweden and Norway. So the question remains

How well do heat pumps actually perform in UK homes? Is a hybrid solution the way forward?

 

Installation

The first step before looking at the performance of the heat pump, would be to look at the installation required when you decide to switch from carbon-based heating. One of the most important things is to work out if the product is the correct one for your home.

Fischer’s very own free-heating survey is designed to do just that.

 

 

As part of the survey, it is important to understand and anticipate all and any heating needs, so talking to our prospective customers is an important part of our process. Heat-loss calculations balance the amount of energy needed to overcome the heat loss through the fabric of your home. Every home is different and Fischer understands there is no one size fits all solution.

An air source heat pump works on the premise of taking in air, extracting the heat, sending that heat into a refrigerant, and generating more warmth through compressing said refrigerant.

One of the bigger takeaways was aside from the emission capabilities from the heat pump is it’s ability to work in sub zero temperatures better than previously thought. A study found as temperatures started approaching -30C, far beyond anything that would be experienced in the UK, heat pumps routinely outperformed oil and gas heating systems, effectively dispelling rumours that the systems wouldn’t work in the colder months!

Even when temperatures dipped slightly below zero, heat pumps didn’t just outperform legacy fossil fuel systems, they were shown to be between two and three times more efficient than oil and gas heating systems.

 

Going Hybrid?

 

Following months of research and customer feedback, we have launched a new heating concept that is set to play a major part in reducing carbon emissions.

Fischer’s Hybrid Heat Pump Solution is the perfect blend of technological innovation and familiarity. It’s a system designed to transition UK homes to a greener, more sustainable heating method at a pace that is beneficial to all of us.

The Fischer Hybrid Heating system integrates a heat pump with your existing gas boiler and delivers complete heating confidence (and warmth). Delivering a consistent comfortable temperature all year round.

Heat pump efficiency is measured by the device’s coefficient of performance (COP). This is calculated by the amount of input compared to the amount of output. For example, if a heat pump uses one kW of electricity to produce four kW of heat, the CoP is four.

The higher the CoP, the more efficient the heat pump is. Heat Pumps regularly can exceed 300% efficiency in ideal conditions, whereas combustion boilers will never exceed 98%.•

•Stands for Coefficient of Performance, and is a measure of a heat pump’s efficiency at a specific moment. COP is the ratio of the useful heat transfer to the required drive energy.

 

Addressing Concerns

More than 80% of households that have replaced their gas boilers with an electric heat pump are satisfied with their new heating system, according to the first major survey of heat pump users.

Two-thirds were satisfied without energy efficiency upgrades. The survey also found high satisfaction levels of those in Victorian or older properties, usually those with less insulation were at 83%, which contradicts concerns that heat pumps are only effective in modern buildings or those that have undergone extensive energy efficiency upgrades.

A heat pump will no doubt perform at a higher level if installed in a well-insulated home, this behaviour is no different to any other type of domestic heating, as the less heat that can escape means the more efficiently the household would be heated.

Concerns over having a large, noisy fan outside during the summer months when there is more chance of spending time in the garden have been addressed by Fischer offering the only Air Source Heat Pump where the hot water side of the system is completely independent from the heating side because of this you can switch off the external heat pump unit in summer and just rely on the hot water unit inside the property, which operates independently as an Aquafficient Eco +

 

Alternative Uses for Air Source Technology

If the Fischer free heating survey decides a heat pump isn’t suitable for your property then Air source technology can still be utilised in different ways.

It’s a very efficient way of heating water for use in showers, baths and sinks.

Hot water is something we require 365 days a year. Whether it is for washing or cleaning, it is something we all need. This is why an air source water heater is an excellent way to utilise air source technology.

For years now, we have been offering efficient hot water solutions, including our Aquafficient range.

 

Aquafficient Eco+

Aquafficient Eco+ is our air-source water heater.

Air source water heaters can be two to three times more energy efficient than a conventional water cylinder.*

Thanks to the special design of the compressor, hot water is available at 60 degrees centigrade and with a power requirement of less than 10amps, Aquafficient Eco+ requires only a standard 13amp socket to install.

Aquafficient Eco+ also contains an automatic anti-legionella disinfection system to remove the risk of legionella bacteria.

Built with a stainless steel casing, 80mm of highly efficient insulation and finished in white, Aquafficient Eco+ has a sleek, modern design perfect for any home.

Wall mounted and floor-standing options are available, and the unit can be installed in a loft where possible, ensuring you save valuable space within your home.

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