Ground Source Heat Pumps
Air Source Heat Pumps
Cooling & Air Handling
Process & Building Controls
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Benefits
The main benefits of Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps can be summarised as follows:
- They save money. An Air or Ground Source Heat Pump can help to achieve significant fuel cost savings compared to direct electric heating systems (e.g. storage heating), gas boilers, oil boilers and some renewable energy systems, such as biomass boilers. Additionally, it is proposed that owners of heat pumps installed from mid July 2009 onwards will benefit from a subsidy to start from April 2011 called the Renewable Heat Incentive, where for every kilowatt-hour of heat it's estimated that your property requires, you will receive payment of around 7pence. This could translate into an annual payment of around £1,000 for an average 3-bed semi and £2,000 per year for a 5-bed detached house for a period up to 18 years for an ASHP and 23 years for a GSHP. This subsidy will significantly shorten the 'pay-back' time, making a heat pump an even more attractive option, and actually producing a return of about 12% on the initial investment.
- They are an eco-friendly alternative to oil, gas and LPG. Although they require electricity to operate, the output generated is around 2.5 to 4.5 times the power input (known as the CoP or Co-efficient of Performance). If a renewable source of electricity is used, for example, photovoltaic panels, they are completely carbon neutral - and you would then not only benefit from the tariff payment for the heat pump, you would also benefit from the new Feed-in Tariff scheme on the PV panels.
- They don't require any fuel storage space, unlike oil and LPG which require large storage tanks, and biomass boilers which require wood/pellet storage. There is also the peace of mind that there is no need to store large volumes of combustible fuel on the premises. They do not require flueing as there are no harmful emissions.
- Low maintenance. The basic mechanism is similar to a refrigerator, with few moving parts and few things that can go wrong - all you need to do is keep the unit clear of leaves and debris. The most costly part in the unit is the compressor and you have the option to extend your warranty if you would like the reassurance that all parts and labour are covered in the longer term.