If you are looking to reduce your energy bills and make the switch to a greener home, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) may be a great option. These systems have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. But what if you already have an existing boiler system installed in your home? Can you retrofit an ASHP into your existing setup? Let’s take a look at the answer.
What is an Air Source Heat Pump?
An air source heat pump is a type of energy efficient heating system that uses electricity and renewable energy to move heat from one place to another. Unlike traditional heating systems, which rely on burning fuel such as gas or oil, ASHPs extract free energy from the air outside of your home and use it to warm up your interior space. This makes them much more efficient than other forms of heating, as they require less energy input for the same amount of output. The result is lower energy bills and increased comfort during cold weather.
Heat pumps only currently account for less than 2% of UK homes in comparison to traditional boilers. This is incredibly low in comparison to other countries such as Norway where over a third of homes have heat pumps and 95% of new homes are installed with heat pumps. The reason for the slower uptake in the UK is primarily down to our lack of understanding of this relatively new technology and our general traditional use of boilers. But with the ease of installation and so many cost benefits there really isn’t a better time to invest.
Can you retrofit an Air Source Heat Pump?
The answer is yes! It is possible to install an air source heat pump in an existing heating and hotwater system by retrofitting certain components. This process involves replacing outdated parts with modern equipment that can work together with other components in the system, such as your radiators, hot water cylinder and controls. Depending on the condition of your current system and the age of its components, this could be a great way to save money while transitioning towards green technology.
Can Air Source Heat Pumps Work with Existing Radiators?
You may be wondering if it’s possible to use an ASHP with your existing radiators and the good news is that, with just a few modifications, air source heat pumps can work with existing radiators.
Before making any changes, it’s important that you understand how your current system works. Most likely, you have a radiator or underfloor heating served by a heat generator such as a gas or oil boiler. In order for the heat pump to perform it may be that some of the radiators need to be upgraded or increased in size to suit the lower running temperatures of an ASHP. Once your system is prepared, the next step is to install an air source heat pump (ASHP). During installation, the pump will be connected to both your existing radiators and convectors in order for them to receive the warm air from outside.
The benefits of retrofitting your system
Retrofitting your current system with an air source heat pump has many benefits beyond just saving money on energy bills. For example, ASHPs are highly efficient – meaning they use less energy than traditional heating systems.
The main disadvantage of installing an air source heat pump is that it requires more space outside in comparison to a boiler.
Cost considerations for ASHP installations
The cost of installing an ASHP into an existing radiator system depends on several factors such as how large your house is, how many radiators you have installed etc. Generally speaking, supply and installation costs range from £12-14k but there are many incredible cost savings to be had currently:
- No VAT to pay from April 2022 until 2027
- Government grants of up to £5,000
- £2000 funding from certain banks including Barclays
Air source heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. If you already have an existing system installed in your home, retrofitting certain components can allow you to transition towards green technology without having to replace the entire setup – saving you time, money, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from your home all at once!
If you would like to find more about our heat pump installations for your home then get in touch with us here.