Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps FAQ's

The benefits of air source heat pumps are that they use a renewable source of heat (the outside air). Also, the systems run on electricity which eliminates the need for a gas connection or storage of oil/solid fuel. An Air Source Heat Pumps requires little time and space to be installed.

They operate rather like a refrigerator in reverse, absorbing heat from the air into a working fluid which is passed into a compressor. It’s temperature is then increased before it is transferred via a heat exchanger into the heating and hot water circuits of the building.

You should consider the following issues if you're thinking about installing an air source to water heat pump.

The external unit can be fitted to an outside wall or to a location within 75 metres of the internal unit which means that it can be hidden out of sight if necessary.

A 'low temperature' air source heat pump can easily cover the total heating requirements of a well insulated property, but due to the lower temperature compared with traditional boilers, it is essential that your home is insulated and draught proofed. These measures will then lower your heat demand and make the system more effective.

Consider what fuel is being replaced: if it's electricity, oil, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or coal, the payback period will be very fast. With the seemingly never ending increasing cost of gas the payback period will also become less and less for this fossil fuel as years go by.

Because of the type of heat distribution system, Air Source Heat Pumps can be used to heat water that is circulated through radiators but under floor heating is more effective due to the lower temperature produced.

When used in conjunction with renewable energy sources (Solar Hot Water, Solar PV and/or wind turbine) there is potential for zero cost or even negative cost (sell all surplus energy back to the grid) heating and hot water with the corresponding substantial reduction in CO2 emissions.

Air Source Heat Pumps can perform better with underfloor heating systems or warm air heating than with radiator-based systems because of the lower water temperatures required. Is the system intended for a new development? Combining the installation with other building work can reduce the cost of installing the system.

For systems less than 4kWp we will inform them once the installation is complete. For larger systems, permission will need to be gained in advance from the network operator. Responsibility for gaining permission can be discussed at the site survey prior to installation.

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Air Source Heat Pumps achieve temperatures which are ideal for domestic hot water and for central heating use. The maximum temperature is typically 55ºC. It is vital to understand that the hotter the water, the lower the energy efficiency, so running at a lower temperature will save a lot of energy.

Air Source Heat Pumps can be supplied in different sized units. A 9kw unit will supply enough hot water to meet the normal hot water and central heating demands of a domestic property up to 180m2. Higher capacity units can be installed to meet the needs of larger homes or commercial premises.

Air Source Heat Pumps are extremely easy to maintain as they do not require the annual safety inspections that traditional boilers require. We would recommend an annual check on the system in order to maintain it’s efficiency.

Air Source Heat Pumps are quiet running units and generally cannot be heard from inside. The units supplied typically have the same sound levels as a domestic refrigerator (c30 dba).

Yes, we would carry out a full design and heat loss analysis on older and complex buildings to determine the suitability of a heat pump.

Since Air Source Heat Pumps work best when producing heat at a lower temperature than traditional boilers, it's better that your home is well insulated and draught-proofed for the heating system to be effective as possible.

During the installation the water supply will need to switched off at various points, along with the electrical supply. Our installation teams work with you to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

You can expect them to operate for 20 years or more.

Clear Sky Energy’s knowledgeable and professional installers will provide you with a full explanation of your system once it is installed and also talk you through its operation and settings. In addition you will get a clear and comprehensive operation manual for your specific system, and you will be able to get in touch with us at any time to ask questions or raise issues.

In most cases Air Source Heat Pump installations do not require planning permission as they are considered 'permitted development' under planning law. There are, however, some rules and exceptions that must be observed. For example, it is important to consult you local council's planning department for advice if your house is in an area of outstanding natural beauty or is a listed building. We are happy to advise and guide you in this area.