Heat Pump Installer.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump extracts heat energy from the air or ground, even when it is cold outside, and uses it to warm your home.
A well-designed heat pump system transfers around three to four times more energy into a property as heat then it uses to extract it. As a result, heat pumps are incredibly efficient. We are an Accredited Heat Pump Installer who can supply and install heat pumps throughout the UK.
- Provides heating and hot water from the energy stored in the air or ground
- Generates more energy than it uses
- Qualifies for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme £7,500 grant
How does an air source
heat pump work?
They extract heat energy from the air in order to warm your home and provide hot water. Aside from their eco-credentials, an ASHP system is also very efficient.
For every unit of energy it uses to extract heat from the air, it typically outputs three times more as heat, meaning ASHP efficiency is around 300%!
Air source heat pump benefits include:
- Low carbon, environmentally-friendly heat source
- Highly efficient, transferring around three times more energy into a home as heat than it uses to extract it from the air
- Eligible for the government Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- Little outdoor space required, meaning an air source heat pump system is suitable for most urban properties
Is an air source heat pump right for my home?
An ASHP can be installed in a range of properties, whether small or large, rural or urban.
An air source heat pump is right for you if:
- You are looking for a low-carbon, eco-friendly and sustainable way to heat your home
- The property is well insulated – this is important for efficiency and keeping running costs low
- There is not enough outside space needed for a ground source heat pump – typically three times the total floor area of the property. For an ASHP, all you need is room for the unit to be fitted to an exterior wall, with enough space around it to get a good flow of air
- You are installing, or already have, an underfloor heating system. Air source heat pumps work particularly well with underfloor heating because they are at their most efficient when producing low water temperatures
Both new and existing properties can benefit from the energy-saving capabilities of a heat pump.
The benefits of a heat pump
Heat pumps have a wide range of benefits, from reducing your carbon
footprint to potentially saving money on your energy bills.
Discover how a heat pump could benefit you:
Renewable energy option
As a renewable energy source, they are a great option for households looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Low running costs
A well-designed heat pump system can deliver low on-going running costs.
Eligible for grants
Air source heat pumps are eligible for grants of £5,000 through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Up to 400% efficient
Generating more energy than they use, heat pumps are an extremely efficient heat source.
5 must ask questions
about heat pumps
Find out how to choose the right heat pump for your home.
Air source heat pump costs
In a well-insulated property, every kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity used to power the heat pump can provide around three to four kWh of ‘free’ thermal energy. This means that a heat pump’s efficiency can reach around 400% – far more than boilers that tend to run at around 92%.
Air source heat pumps are also eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, where homeowners can access an upfront grant of £5,000 to help reduce the cost of installation.
How much does an
air source heat pump cost?
You can expect a high-quality and well-designed air source heat pump system to cost from £5,000, with installation for a 250m2 property in the region of £11,500. This includes:
- A bespoke design, tailored to the property
- Installation schematics
- Lifetime technical support
- MCS support, required to access government grants
- The ASHP, domestic hot water cylinder, buffer tank, circulation pumps and all of the connecting brassware for the components
It’s possible to reduce the initial cost of installing an air source heating system by applying for government incentives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers an upfront voucher of £7500 for eligible properties
What are the running costs of an Air Source Heat Pump?
A correctly designed ASHP system can provide low running costs that are close to mains gas, so you benefit from a greener way to heat your home that is also cost-effective long term.
Off the gas grid? An ASHP is even more appealing as it’s likely to offer you significant savings on running costs compared with oil. Take a look at this running cost comparison:
How much does it cost
to maintain an ASHP?
Like most heat sources, an air source heat pump should be serviced each year by a competent heating engineer.
The service will include mostly visual checks, checking settings haven’t changed and that the heat pump is still working efficiently.
To view air source heat pump service prices, visit our service page.
Air source heat pump grants
By choosing to install an air source heat pump, you are helping the Government in their 10 point plan for a green revolution. Part of this plan is to make the move away from fossil fuels to low carbon heating, installing 600,000 heat pumps every year by 2028.
To encourage the uptake of heat pumps and help reduce the costs, the Government offers financial incentives.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The government recognises that air source heat pumps play an important role in reducing carbon emissions from the UK’s homes. This is why air source heat pump grants have been included in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers an upfront voucher of £7,500 towards the installation of an air source heat pump, helping to reduce the overall cost.
As the name suggests, the scheme is aimed at existing properties, encouraging the switch from fossil fuel boilers to low carbon heat pumps.
Cool Energy's ASHP heat pump range
At Cool Energy, we only use the highest quality, tried-and-tested components for all our systems.
That’s why we design and supply ASHPs as an efficient, low-carbon, solution for domestic hot water and space heating.
Cool Energy
air source heat pumps
Cool Energy Heat Pumps offer terrific value and have been proudly developed from our vast experience over many years within the industry. We have an unmatched reputation for quality, reliability, innovation and customer support, as the brand goes from strength to strength delivering high efficiency, longevity and simplicity of installation.
It’s an incredibly efficient system that can save you money on your heating bills while reducing your carbon footprint. Whether you're looking for a new way to heat your home or just want to reduce your environmental impact, Cool Energy's air source heat pumps are an excellent choice.
- MCS approved for accessing government grants
- 3-5 Year Warranty (Depending on model)
- SAP / PCBD Listed
- Can be installed with virtually any system configuration
- Super Quiet DC Inverter Fans
View Our Heat Pump
Product Range Online
Cool Energy's air source heat pumps are revolutionizing the way we heat our homes. Not only are they more efficient than traditional heating systems, they also offer a clean, renewable source of energy that is cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Why choose an air source heat pump
from Cool Energy?
As a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accredited company, we know what it takes to provide you with an efficient system that effectively heats a home, whilst also keeping running costs low.
We are here to provide the perfect heating package, meticulously tailored to each home. You also benefit from one point of responsibility – we will carefully design everything – for complete peace of mind.
Bespoke heating design
Seamlessly integrating the air source heat pump for your needs.
MCS accredited supplier
We design MCS compliant renewable systems that qualify for government grants.
Commissioning support
Cool Energy's Engineers attend site to support commissioning and the ASHP system handover.
Long warranty
Our Cool Energy air source heat pumps are covered by a 3-5 year warranty when commissioned by Cool Energy.
View Our Heat Pump
Service Plans
Cool Energy can arrange for one of our engineers to service your renewable product. Whether you have an air source heat pump and/or cylinder, a Cool Energy engineer can visit your home or business, service your appliance and leave you with peace of mind that your home heating system is working at its best.
Heat pump installation
Installing an air source heat pump is simple. There’s no need for extensive groundworks. We can even take on all of the MCS paperwork and commissioning for the system, ensuring the heat pump installation is correct and meets the criteria required for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
There are 3 key stages to installing an air source heat pump:
Step 1 – Finding the right heat pump supplier and design
Choosing an experienced ASHP supplier is essential when it comes to heat pump system design. You need to be confident that the system will be efficient and work as expected, keeping running costs low. Cool Energy offers the following as standard:
- Advice and guidance on the suitability of an ASHP for the project
- Full heat loss calculations for the property in order to correctly size the ASHP
- An accurate quotation for the system components in line with MCS and RECC standards
- Support with MCS compliance, including on-site commissioning
- Clear installation manuals and customer user guides
Step 2 – Installing an
air source heat pump
Installing an ASHP is relatively simple for a qualified heat pump installer. The heat pump controls and pipework layout are very similar to a traditional gas or oil boiler, configured as a Y or S plan industry standard layout.
- The ASHP is placed on a flat concrete base external to the property with the appropriately sized flow and return heating pipes and electrical power cable running from the unit into the property
- Electrical work should be carried out by a qualified electrician in the conventional way as you would for a gas or oil boiler
Step 3 – Getting the heating system up and running
Once the installation of the mechanical and electrical heat pump components is completed, the ASHP unit will be ready for commissioning. As an MCS accredited company, we can help with this final step by providing:
- The MCS paperwork – Pass over the cumbersome compliance paperwork to Cool ENergy, freeing up time to spend on the ASHP installation. Cool Energy also completes and provides all of the relevant MCS support documentation required if applying for government grants, the warranties and guarantees.
- Onsite commissioning – To ensure the system is MCS compliant, Cool Energy can send out a field service engineer to commission and explain the system set up and functionality of the heat pump controls. We can also support with the handover to the homeowner.
I’m interested in installing an ASHP,
what are the next steps?
Send us a copy of your project plans online or by email for a bespoke quote.
Underfloor heating with heat pumps
Air source heat pumps are at their most efficient when producing low temperatures over a sustained period of time.
An underfloor heating system uses water that is around 40-45°C, circulating this across the entire floor area to heat your home. In comparison, a traditional radiator system needs to use water that is far hotter, around 70-80°C, in order to heat the room/s using a much smaller surface area.
This is why integrating an air source heat pump with underfloor heating is the preferred combination, ensuring you get the maximum benefit from your heat pump system.
Why you should pair underfloor heating with an air source heat pump:
- Low flow temperature solution – maximising the air source heat pump efficiency
- Up to 40% more efficient than a boiler and radiators system
- Reduces carbon footprint
- When choosing Cool Energy, you have a fully designed and integrated heat pump and underfloor heating solution from a single supplier
Radiators with heat pumps
You may choose to use radiators to minimise disruption within your home or to save on costs.
If radiators are the preferred option, it’s worth bearing in mind that they will need to be sized in line with the lower water flow temperatures associated with heat pumps. This means they are generally twice the size of those used with a gas or oil boiler.
Air Source Heating FAQs
Is my property suitable for an air source heat pump?
Providing the property is well-insulated, an air source heat pump is likely to be suitable. Insulation is really important because it prevents heat escaping, enabling the heat pump to work efficiently at lower flow temperatures.
The levels of insulation in new build properties, and generally those built in the last 10 years, are likely to be suitable for an air source heat pump. Older properties will require insulation upgrades like loft, cavity wall and glazing improvements.
I don't have access to mains gas - could a heat pump be a suitable alternative?
A heat pump could be a particularly cost-effective choice if your property doesn’t have access to mains gas. This is because for every unit of electricity the heat pump uses, it typically outputs three times the amount in heat energy. You can expect a heat pump to be more efficient and cheaper to run than an electric-only heating system or an LPG boiler.
Can air source heating be installed in an older building?
Yes, it can, providing that the insulation is being improved – ideally as close to current build regulations as possible. This enables the air source heat pump to work efficiently and keeps running costs low.
Does my property need to be well-insulated to have a heat pump?
Insulation should be up to modern Building Regulation standards to ensure the heat pump both effectively and efficiently heats the property.
What are the incentives of buying an air source heat pump?
An air source heat pump is a low-carbon, efficient renewable technology. A big benefit is that it offers a cleaner and greener way to heat a home – no fossil fuels.
Aside from their eco credentials, air source heat pumps are also eligible for a £5000 grant through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Are air source heat pumps noisy?
No. An air source heat pump makes less noise than the flue of a gas boiler. NIBE ASHPs are the quietest on the market thanks to their Owl Wing Technology.
What are the maintenance processes and costs?
An air source heat pump should be serviced yearly to maintain the warranty and to ensure the system is working as it should be. The cost of an annual service can be found on our service page.
How can I ensure my air source heat pump is running efficiently?
Making sure your air source heat pump system is set up correctly and maintained will ensure that its efficiency is maximised, keeping running costs low and improving your impact on the environment.
When using an air source heat pump system, make sure to bear the following steps in mind:
- Before considering an air source heat pump, ensure the property is well insulated to reduce heat losses and allow the heat pump to work effectively producing low temperatures. Ideally, insulation should be as close to current building regulations as possible.
- Air source heat pumps work at peak efficiency when gathering lower temperatures over a longer period of time. They are set up and controlled very differently to a boiler. One of our Field Engineers will ensure that the heat pump is set up appropriately during the commissioning visit.
- Ensure the ASHP is serviced annually and in line with recommendations by the manufacturer.
- Check that nothing impedes the flow of air into your ASHP vents.
- Make sure that the pressure gauge on the unit falls within the correct range as specified by the manufacturer.
What does MCS stand for?
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme or MCS is often described as the renewables equivalent of Gas Safe. You will need your heat pump system to be MCS compliant if you wish to benefit from any government grant, like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Do I need planning permission to install an air source heat pump?
In the majority of cases an air source heat pump does not require planning permission, falling under Permitted Development in line with MCS020. Obviously, it is important to check this before getting started!
If the property is listed, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Conservation Area, planning permission will be required.
Are heat pumps compatible with underfloor heating?
Yes! Heat pumps are at their most efficient when operating at lower temperatures, making this technology a perfect partner for underfloor heating (UFH), which operates at a much lower flow temperature than radiators.
Heat pumps can still be used in conjunction with radiators, but the radiators would need to be oversized in order to heat the property adequately.
How much space do I need for an air source heat pump?
Not much! The air source heat pump unit is fitted outside of the property. You will need some space inside for the domestic hot water cylinder, buffer tank and the other components.
For heat pumps up to 12kW, you need a footprint around the same size as a standard hot water cylinder – similar to a large airing cupboard.
Do Cool Energy heat pumps come with a warranty and how long do they last?
Yes. Our heat pump systems come with a 3-5-year warranty when commissioned by a an Cool Energy Installer.
Do heat pumps work in cold weather?
Yes. Heat pumps work effectively year-round.
The top 15m of the Earth’s surface maintains an average year-round temperature of 12ºC.
Air source heat pumps extract available warmth from passing air rather than from the ground. In theory they should be able to extract useful energy from the outside air down to temperatures as low as -15°C. The storage cylinder provides both domestic hot water and a boost of heating energy in the coldest weather.
Can I use my heat pump 24 hours a day?
Yes, absolutely. It’s the most efficient way.
What's the best place to position my air source heat pump?
We would recommend positioning an air source heat pump in a location that minimises the pipe and cable runs from the heat pump into the plant room.
You will also need to be mindful of its proximity to bedroom windows, the requirements of permitted development/planning permission, and sound assessment (MCS020) results.
We take care of all of this as part of our air source heat pump design.
