Heat pumps are specialist devices which offer ‘low-carbon’ central heating. They are usually powered by electricity.
Although different types work in slightly different ways, all heat pumps operate on the principle of extracting heat/air from outside a property and then using it to heat up the property internally. Heat pumps use a similar technology to fridges and air conditioning systems – but the process is reversed to create heat rather than cold.
What are the different types?
Air-source heat pumps
Within this category, there are two further types: air-to-water, and air-to-air. They both extract heat from the ambient air outside – but one heats the water in your central heating system, whilst the other actually blows the warm air inside.
Air source heat pumps in Gloucester
If you are interested in finding out more, there are several companies who specialise in air source heat pumps Gloucester and the surrounding area, who can provide advice and services.
Ground-source heat pumps
These use pipes and a pump to essentially absorb the heat that occurs naturally underground. This is then transferred into the central heating system.
Hybrid heat pumps
These pumps combine both air and ground sources, and are ‘smart’ in the sense that they choose which to use based on predefined parameters, including air and ground temperature.
What are the pros and cons?
There are pros and cons associated with each type of heat pump. But, overall, the main advantages are that they can: reduce your carbon footprint, save you money on your energy bill (compared to an old, inefficient boiler), be paired with solar panels for an ultimate ‘green’ solution, and (once installed) they do not require much maintenance.
The main disadvantages are that they can take up a lot of space, and that they are usually more expensive than boilers. They also require a hot water cylinder, and because they are relatively niche, finding an engineer to repair/service them can be less straightforward than for traditional heating systems.
