Retrofitting Existing Homes with Air Source Heat Pumps

If you want to lower your energy cost and move to a greener home, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) can be the best choice. These systems have become increasingly common in recent years due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. But what if you already have a boiler system installed in your home? Can you retrofit an ASHP into your existing system setting? Let’s look into the details.

Visit https://grantboilers.org.uk/ for a quick, free online assessment for an air source heat pump grant retrofitting.

What is an Air Source Heat Pump?

An energy-efficient heating system called an air source heat pump transfers heat between spaces using electricity and renewable energy sources. ASHPs gather free energy from the outside air of your home and use it to heat your interior area, in contrast to standard heating systems, which rely on burning fuel like gas or oil. They need less energy input for the same amount of output, making them far more efficient than other heating methods. The end results are lower energy costs and more comfort in colder climates.

Currently, compared to typical boilers, heat pumps are found in less than 2% of UK houses. Compared to other nations, like Norway, where 95% of newly constructed homes have heat pumps installed and over a third of residences have heat pumps, the figure in the UK is extremely low. The primary causes of the delayed adoption in the UK are our conventional usage of boilers and ignorance of this relatively new technology. But now is the best moment to buy because of how simple it is to install and how many financial advantages it offers.

Can the Air Source Heat Pump be Retrofitted or Not?

Yes! By retrofitting specific components, an air source heat pump can be installed in an existing heating and hot water system. In this operation, obsolete pieces are swapped out for more recent machinery compatible with controllers, hot water cylinders, radiators, and other system components. Depending on the state of your existing system and the age of its components, this might be a terrific method to cut costs while switching to green technology.

Can Air Source Heat Pumps Work with Existing Radiators?

You might wonder if an ASHP can work with the radiators you already have. The best thing is that air source heat pumps can work with heaters that are already in place with only a few changes.

You should know how your current system works before you make any changes. Most likely, a gas or oil heater or an underfloor heating system heats the radiators or floors. Some of the radiators may need to be updated or made bigger so that the heat pump can work. This is because an ASHP runs at lower temperatures. After getting your system ready, you must install an air source heat pump (ASHP). During installation, the pump will be hooked up to your current radiators and convectors so that they can get warm air from the outside.

What Are The Benefits of Retrofitting Your System?

Beyond lowering energy costs, retrofitting your existing system with an air-source heat pump has other advantages. As an illustration, ASHPs are extremely energy-efficient, requiring less energy than conventional heating systems.

Installing an air source heat pump has the primary drawback of requiring more outdoor space than a boiler.

ASHP Installations Cost Considerations: 

How much it costs to add an ASHP to a radiator system that is already there varies on a number of things, like how big your home is, how many radiators you already have, and so on. Usually, the costs of supply and installation are between £12,000 and £14,000. But right now, there are a lot of amazing deals on prices:

• From April 2022 to March 2026, you won’t have to pay VAT.
• Up to £5,000 in funding from the government ECO4 scheme for eligible homeowners
• Some banks, like Barclays, will give you £2,000 to buy an air-source heat pump. 

These pumps are becoming more popular because they work well and are inexpensive. If you already have one installed in your home, you can switch to green technology without replacing the whole system. By adding certain parts, you can save time and money while also lowering your home’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Ending Up:

There are several things you can do if you want to add an air-source heat pump to an existing setup. Air-to-water, geothermal, or water-source heat pumps are the best choice, based on your home’s requirements. When making a plan, it’s always good to think about how the building is in general. There is someone here who would be happy to help you with this. On top of that, we can tell you about the benefits you can get for your heating system right now.