How does an air source heat pump work?

Now that air source heat pumps have become a national talking point, a record number of households are choosing to install them. But what are they, and how do they work? To answer your pressing questions, we’ve put together some information on this new type of heating system.

• It runs on electricity to absorb natural heat energy from the outside air, making it a highly efficient low-carbon alternative to a traditional boiler.

• The system warms your home by compressing refrigerant fluid to raise its temperature before transferring it to your radiators or underfloor pipes.

• Many units can operate in reverse to cool your rooms during hot weather, extracting indoor heat and releasing it outside like a refrigerator.

What is an air source heat pump?

A heat pump is a new, highly efficient, low-carbon alternative to a traditional boiler. It runs on electricity rather than gas, absorbing heat from the outside world and using it to warm your home. The two main types of heat pumps are air source and ground source, with air source being the most common, convenient, and budget-friendly.

How does an air source heat pump heat your home?

Even when the weather is cold, there is still usable heat energy in the air. This heat from the outside air is gathered and absorbed into a loop with refrigerant fluid and then it passes through a compressor, where the refrigerant is compressed, which causes it to heat up. The hot refrigerant then passes through a heat exchanger, where it transfers heat to the water that flows through your radiators or underfloor heating system.

How does an air source heat pump cool your home?

But that’s not all. Many air source heat pumps can also provide effective cooling during UK heatwaves. It essentially operates in reverse, extracting warm air from indoors and releasing it outside, much like a refrigerator. Air source heat pump cooling can also be used alongside existing air conditioners, creating an energy efficient hybrid system for both heating and cooling.

Knowing what an air source heat pump is and how it works is the first step in transitioning to low-carbon energy solutions and saving you money on your energy bills. If you’re interested in learning more about making your home more energy efficient, check out our interactive guide.

FAQs

Yes, they do. They can extract heat from the air in temperatures as low as -20°C. Since UK winters rarely get that cold, they’ll keep working all year round.

An air source heat pump typically costs around £11,000 to install, but you could be eligible for up to £7,500 from a government grant to help lower that upfront cost.

Traditional gas boilers have to burn fuel to generate heat, so some of the energy is lost in the process. Heat pumps on the other hand, move heat instead of generating it, so for every unit of electricity you use, you can get three to four times as much heat in return.