Inefficient heating systems are wasteful of energy and costly to run because of the amount of fuel needed to maintain adequate comfort levels and hot water in the home. Replacing a conventional heating system with a heat pump system, particularly in a well-insulated dwelling, can transform the comfort levels in the home while reducing running costs, energy usage and harmful greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the heat pump system can eliminate oil and gas bills from the home.
To install a heat pump system, you must ensure your home is well insulated and that you have good double or triple glazed windows. In this way your heat pump system will perform well and your electricity bills will be low. But what else do you need to do in order to more to this more efficient way of heating my home?
At PJ Matthews we can answer all your questions on how to select and install a heat pump system in your home and how to realise these benefits, why not drop into us today.
Let us explain how Heat Pumps work
A heat pump system harnesses energy from free renewable sources outside the building, for heating your house and producing your hot water. Electrical heat pumps use a compressor to draw heat from a low temperature source, such as external air or ground to heat the building interior. While conventional heating systems such as storage heaters and boilers cannot produce more heat than that contained in their fuel source, a heat pump typically will produce three to four units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed.
Let us show you the different types of Heat Pumps
Different types of heat pump systems draw heat from different sources: air, water or the ground. Heat generated is distributed via radiators, underfloor heating or warm air units. Heat pump systems will heat radiators to a lower temperature than conventional boiler systems, and this works well when the home is well insulated. Heat pump systems, excluding those providing warm air to the home, can supply most of the hot water needed for baths, showers and sinks.
Air Source Heat Pumps:
The most common heat pump systems extract heat from external air, typically using an outside unit. These heat pump systems do not require underground piping to source heat and so can be cheaper and easier to install compared to ground source heat pump systems. Air to water heat pump systems are the most popular choice of system. Heat is distributed through radiators and underfloor heating and they can also produce hot water.
Exhaust-air to water heat pump systems are similar to air to water but include mechanical extract ventilation and recover heat from air drawn from the dwelling.
In Air to air heat pump systems the heat is distributed through air units. Air to air heat pump systems do not provide hot water.
Ground Source and Water Source Heat Pumps:
Ground source and water source heat pump systems are less common than air source units. A ground source heat pump system, also known as a geothermal heat pump system, uses the earth as a source of renewable heat. Heat is drawn from the ground through collector pipework and transferred to the heat pump. The ground collector can be laid out horizontally at a shallow depth below the surface or else vertically to a greater depth.
A very comprehensive guide to ground and water source heat pump systems, published by the Geological Survey of Ireland, is available at this link: www.gsi.ie/documents/GeothermalHomeownerManual.pdf
Let us Help you choose the right solution for you
Selection of the right type of heat pump system can often depend on practical and budgetary limitations. Many people choose air source heat pump systems as they need relatively little space. If you have a large garden or are near a water source you may choose a ground source or water source heat pump.
We suggest that you drop into our showroom today and talk with our Heat Pump expert, we are positive we can guide you and answer any further questions, and point you in the right direction.
