Air source heat pumps take heat from the air outside to heat your home and provide you with hot water in a more environmentally friendly way than a gas boiler.
If you’re researching air source heat pumps in Cheltenham, it will be beneficial to know that there are two different types of air source heat pumps:
1. Air-to-water heat pump
Ideally suited to properties with water-based underfloor heating systems and large radiators, these heat pumps can be used as direct replacements for oil or gas boilers because they deliver hot water directly to your property.
If you’re eager to progress your search for air source heat pumps Cheltenham, it’s important to seek out installers who will look closely at your existing heating system to ensure that your new heat pump is well integrated into your home.
2. Air-to-air heat pump
This type of heat pump takes heat from the outside air and transfers it into your property through a fan system. While it’s not a suitable like-for-like replacement for an oil or gas boiler, it is a good alternative for electric storage heaters.
Air-to-air heat pumps work well in apartments and smaller spaces. Plus, as this article from the National Grid explains during the warmer months this system can be used as an air conditioning unit to deliver cool air into your home.
A brief guide to how air source heat pumps work
While there are some key differences between air-to-water and air-to-air systems, they broadly function in the same way.
When heat is absorbed from the air outside, it is transferred into the system’s liquid refrigerant. As this heat is still at a low temperature, electricity is used to compress the liquid, which increases the temperature. Then, a condensing process occurs which releases the stored heat.
In an air-to-water system, this heat is used to warm the water being directed towards your underfloor heating and/or radiators. Any leftover warm water can be stored for later in a hot water cylinder.
In an air-to-air system, the heat is circulated throughout your property via vents and ducts.