Imagine... You’re nestled in your characterful Victorian home. It looks charming. But the one thing spoiling this picture is the chill that seeps through every drafty window and creaking floorboard. Sure, you can turn up the thermostat, but then you’re also turning up those energy bills.
An air source heat pump (ASHP) could be the answer. They’re made to keep a home warm, and do it more efficiently than a gas boiler. However, many people wonder if a modern ASHP will work with their older dwelling. The short answer is, they certainly can. However, there are specifics you may need to look at if you’re thinking of getting an ASHP for an older home. That’s what we’re here to talk you through, as well as to provide you with some guidance on what to do.
How does a heat pump work?
An ASHP works like a refrigerator in reverse. A fridge removes heat from its inside and releases it at the back. An ASHP takes heat from the outside air and uses it to warm the inside of your home. Both use a liquid that boils at a really low temperature to transfer heat. In fact, an ASHP can extract heat from the outside air even when it feels cold to us.
But enough with the physics lesson. You want to know why you should get one. It comes down to one thing: efficiency. ASHPs use a little electricity to generate a lot of heat. All other things being equal, this means lower electricity bills and a smaller carbon footprint than a conventional gas boiler. And let’s be honest, it feels even better doing something good for the environment if it can save you money too.
Considerations for installing ASHPs in older homes.
If we’ve whetted your appetite for a heat pump, great! Before you forge ahead and order one, there are a few things you need to think about:
Insulation.
The size of your radiators.
Checking your pipework and water cylinders for compatibility.
Firstly, insulation.
There is no point in efficiently generating all that warmth, if inefficient insulation lets it all out. Poor insulation is often a problem in older homes, so make sure that your home is well insulated. It doesn’t have to start and stop in the loft. There’s cavity wall insulation. Or if your home is really old (and doesn’t have cavity walls) some solid wall insulation might be the answer (it goes on the outside of your home).
Then there are your windows and doors. This might be a simple fix, like insulation tape or brushes attached to the bottom of your door, or you may require something more substantial. You should make sure your home is as well insulated as possible. (To be honest, insulation is a good idea for saving energy, regardless of how you plan to heat your home.)
Then there is the size of your radiators.
A larger radiator generally distributes heat more effectively than a smaller one (it’s got a bigger surface area so more of the heat can get out).
Now, when working efficiently, the water flow temperature of an ASHP is usually slightly lower than a traditional gas boiler (flow temperature is the temperature of the water as it leaves your pump or boiler). So to get the max heat out of that water and into your rooms, bigger rads are best.
Have all your pipework and any water cylinders checked for compatibility.
As well as putting an unnecessary strain on your system, narrower pipes restrict the flow of that warm water, and you want as much of that getting to your radiators before it loses too much heat. It’s also worth checking that you have a hot water tank that is right for your new ASHP with its lower flow temperature - and the right size for your home.
If all this sounds a bit daunting, don’t worry. We have experts who can help you with all of this and more. All you need to do is book a consultation to find out exactly what you will need to get the most out of your heat pump.
Help with installing an ASHP.
You’ll be pleased to know that you can get financial help too. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government grant scheme that helps with switching to low-carbon heating systems, like ASHPs. If you own the property you’re applying for and are going to replace a fossil fuel heating system you can get up to £7,500 towards the cost of your ASHP installation.
One other thing. The ASHP installation must be carried out by a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified installer. This is to make sure that the system is installed to a high standard and meets the scheme's requirements. Your MCS installer will handle the paperwork and claim the grant on your behalf.
It’s also worth noting that you should check for any planning permission. Your local authority is a good place to start (the guidance varies from authority to authority). Generally speaking, the powers that be want us all to move to more energy efficient heating for our homes. In fact the government recently announced a number of policy changes which make it easier for people to install their own heat pump without planning permission.
And as our government moves the nation towards net zero, it will be interesting to see if they offer any further help with installing energy efficient appliances such as ASHPs.
You can get an ASHP for an older home.
So, just because you live in an older property, you shouldn’t rule out taking advantage of all the benefits an air source heat pump has to offer. But do remember that it involves more than just attaching one to your existing system. You should make sure your hot water plumbing will work with your ASHP and that your home is as well insulated as possible. Fortunately, there are certified professionals who can help you with all of that. And of course, you should always consider asking for more than one professional opinion.
As for the financial outlay, even though an ASHP usually costs somewhere between £7-12,000, those costs can be drastically reduced with a government grant.
And once you’ve dealt with those initial costs, we’re sure you will soon notice the financial benefits.
To find out more about how E.ON Next can help you with an air source heat pump - including our own £350 installation discount and our tariff designed for ASHP owners - arrange an obligation-free consultation.