Pipelife Eco FAQ: How Efficient Are Air Source Heat Pumps?
Air source heat pumps are a renewable and efficient home heating solution that we’ve seen become more and more popular over the years. But exactly how efficient are air source heat pumps, and why? In this Pipelife Eco FAQ, we’ll dive into the details and look at how they work and the factors that contribute to their efficiency.
How Do Air Source Heat Pumps Work?
Air source heat pumps work in a very different way from other household heating systems because rather than generating heat, they instead transfer it from the air outside. They pull in heat energy from the air (even in cold weather, where there is always heat energy to make use of), compress it to increase temperature, and transfer it into the home. In this way, you can think of an air source heat pump as a refrigerator – but in reverse!
How Efficient Are Air Source Heat Pumps?
The efficiency of air source heat pumps is their main draw. Heat pumps have their efficiency measured in their Coefficient of Performance (COP), which represents how many units of heat they can generate per unit of energy consumed. Most air source heat pumps achieve a COP of 2-4 depending on the exact model and conditions they’re working in. This directly translates into two main benefits:
- Energy Savings. By consuming less electricity to generate the same amount of heat as a gas boiler, you end up with significant savings on your energy bills. The higher the COP of your heat pump, the more you’ll save.
- Reduced Carbon Emissions. In the same vein, less electricity consumed means less contribution towards carbon emissions. It’s also a low-carbon heating solution, meaning you’re doing your part to help combat climate change and contribute to Ireland’s net zero goals.
How To Run A Heat Pump Efficiently
In practice, the efficiency of your air source heat pump is influenced by a wide range of factors, including:
- Quality of installation
- How well-insulated your home is
- What home heating systems you use
- Extreme outdoor temperatures
You can switch out your conventional steel radiators for alternative systems that pair much better with an air source heat pump. In particular, we generally recommend a combination of water-based underfloor heating and energy-efficient aluminium radiators. We find that these work best because they suit the slightly reduced heat output of a heat pump, requiring less energy to achieve equivalent results to a classic gas boiler and steel radiators.
So how efficient are air-source heat pumps? The answer is very. We hope you’ve found this FAQ helpful. If you want to learn more about what heat pumps can do for your own home, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Pipelife team for more information. With over 50 years of experience in home heating, Pipelife is ready to help you modernise your home heating.