Frequently Asked Questions
How will you know if a heat pump is right for you?
Check our FAQs below and if you have other questions, do get in touch.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump takes heat from the outside air and converts it into usable heat for the home. Put simply, it works like a fridge or air conditioner in reverse.
How efficient is a heat pump?
A heat pump typically produces up to 4 times the amount of energy that it consumes. So for every Kwh of electricity that it uses, it will produce up to 4 Kwh of heat energy. Compare this with a gas or oil boiler, which will always use more energy than it produces.
Are heat pumps noisy?
Heat pumps typically have sound power levels of between 50 – 60 dB(A), equivalent to normal conversation. As an MCS certified installer we carry out a noise assessment prior to any installation.
Are heat pumps expensive to run?
A correctly designed, installed and set up system may have comparable or lower running costs than a gas boiler. It will usually cost less to run than an oil or LPG system.
Will I need new radiators?
As heat pumps operate most efficiently at lower temperatures than a fossil fuel system, radiators with a larger surface area may be required to achieve this. A full heat loss calculation will determine recommended radiator sizes.
Will my house be suitable for a heat pump?
A heat pump is suitable for the majority of homes. However, a poorly insulated house with draughty windows will be costly to heat whatever heat source is used. Before installation, we carry out a full heat loss calculation and produce performance and running cost estimates.
Can a heat pump provide hot water?
Yes it can. Most heat pumps can produce temperatures of 55C, which is more than enough for a bath or shower. A heat pump system requires a hot water cylinder with a large surface area coil in order to heat the water in a timely and efficient manner.
How much does a heat pump cost?
A heat pump on its own is a similar in cost to an external oil boiler. When upgrading from a fossil fuel appliance to a heat pump system, additional items such as a compatible hot water cylinder and suitable radiators are likely to be required. These upgrades usually result in an essentially new heating and hot water system. The installation of a renewable system is generally not subject to VAT, and most are also eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of £7500.