What To Consider When Retrofitting A Heat Pump
If you’re looking for ways to upgrade your home, retrofitting a heat pump is a worthwhile consideration. Not only can this technology heat your home in a much more sustainable and efficient way than a standard boiler, but heat pumps are also famed for eliminating oil and gas bills and can therefore save you money once the initial cost is out of the way.
However, one of the biggest myths surrounding heat pump technology is that it can only be installed in a newly built home. This is simply not the case – you can retrofit a heat pump in an existing home but there are several unique considerations you will have to make if you are considering this process. Assess these now and you’ll be certain that you are choosing a home heating upgrade suitable both now and in the future.
Compatibility
While there is usually a suitable solution for all homes, it’s important to remember that not all properties are built in the same way and you must check that heat pump technology is compatible before planning the installation.
Typically, your home will need to meet certain energy efficiency standards for retrofitting a heat pump to be compatible. The best way to discover if your home is heat pump ready is to get an engineer to conduct a BER assessment for you. This will involve assessing how well-insulated the property is and therefore how effective and economical the heating system may be. Drafty or poorly insulated properties may score poorly but don’t be disheartened; there will still be options for you but you may wish to consider improving the energy efficiency of your home first. Getting the relevant survey and advice ensures that you are aware of all of these options and can make an investment in improving your home heating in the most suitable way
Cost
One of the main advantages of this home heating solution is that it can reduce your energy bills; however, cost is still an important factor to consider when retrofitting a heat pump. All heat pump installations will incur significant upfront costs to cover the cost of the heat pump itself as well as installation costs.
Retrofitting a heat pump can also result in additional costs related to any work you may need to complete to improve your home’s energy efficiency as well as any work required to prepare a suitable space for the new technology. This level of investment can feel like a significant barrier to upgrading your home, but bear in mind that there are a number of different heat pump grants available in Ireland as well as significant long-term energy bill savings available.
Location
When installing a heat pump in a new home, you will have lots of freedom when it comes to choosing where it will be located. Developers will often make plans around the placement of the technology to ensure that it is located somewhere where it can be both effective and complimentary to the overall look and feel of the home. However, this is not always possible when retrofitting a heat pump as you will be somewhat limited to the current layout of and space available in your home. Make sure that you are willing to compromise and always listen to the advice of the installer to ensure that your heat pump is located somewhere suitable for all the years to come.
Additional Provisions
When some level of temporary upheaval is inevitable, it also makes sense to get all of the work your home needs done at once. With this in mind, take the time to consider whether you need to invest in any additional provisions to make your new heat pump operate at its highest efficiency. For example, many homeowners opt to install underfloor heating alongside a heat pump as the two systems operate best at the same temperatures. You will get the most out of your investment if you leave no stone unturned and opt for a whole home heating upgrade.
To find out if your home is heat pump ready or to get more information about retrofitting a heat pump, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Pipelife. We can talk you through the considerations you need to make as you embark on the installation process in your home.