Heat Pumps and Underfloor Heating - What You Need To Know

An air-source heat pump transfers heat from the outside air into hot water. This hot water is then used to heat your home through water underfloor heating, leading to an ambient and comfortable home. The air from outside can also be used to warm water that can flow to your home's taps, baths, and showers.

The air source process involves taking the air that is absorbed as fluid, passing it through a heat exchanger, and then feeding it into the heat pump. This activates a rise in temperature, transferring the heat into the water.

Gas boiler vs. air source heat pump - which is better?

Gas boilers have been the primary solution and choice for heating homes; however, heat pumps could be a new and improved method.

There are three main benefits to using heat pumps that could make them a better investment than gas boilers over time.

1. Lower running costs—Heat pumps are not more expensive to run than gas boilers. There is a pretty even split here regarding running cost, but the benefit you do get is that the emissions often associated with gas boilers are removed with heat pumps. Heat pumps are also a more efficient form of home heating and are highly compatible with underfloor heating.
2. Reduce your carbon footprint—A whopping 75% of the energy used to heat your home with a heat pump is renewable, making heat pumps a real positive force of change as we look at ways of making our everyday lives more sustainable and eco-friendly.
3. Future-proof your home— this is likely the most crucial reason to choose an air source heat pump vs. gas boilers. By 2025, fossil fuel boilers will be banned in new builds, meaning the heat pumps will be the primary heat source for newly built homes. This is also likely to be the case for existing homes as time passes, so why not future-proof your home now? The expected lifespan of a heat pump is 20+ years, where a gas boiler is usually no more than 15 years at best.

Types of heat pumps

There are two main types of air-source heat pumps:

• The first type is a monobloc system, which has all the main components of the heat pump within an outdoor unit. This type of heat pump transfers water from outside through pipes to the central heating system of your home within a hot water cylinder.
• The second type of heat pump is a split system, which, as the name suggests, splits the different components needed for indoor and outdoor use.

Monobloc systems are usually cheaper alternatives and generally quicker to install; however, they are less efficient in generating heat than split systems. Split systems lose less heat as part of the process occurs inside the home.

Heat pump grants

Whilst installing a heat pump system is more expensive initially than a gas boiler, the financial incentives to install one means you could receive grants for heat pump installation, offsetting the initial heavier installation cost. Financial grants coupled with the lower running cost of heat pumps for the home would mean an overall cheaper or, at a bare minimum, similar cost to fossil fuel boilers. When you then add a heat pump's economic and eco-friendly benefits on top, it makes it a favourable option for heating your home.

Things to consider when thinking about installing a heat pump

The cost of a heat pump and its installation varies for a few reasons:

• The size of the pump
• Whether your home is a new build or an existing property
• The overall size of the property
• If you need to change the way heat is distributed through your property

If you choose to get a heat pump, how do you physically get one?

Firstly, you will need to take some time and consideration to determine if this is the right fit for you and your home. The main thing to check at this stage is whether you need planning permission to install a pump. Permission is often automatic because they are classified as 'permitted developments'; however, it is always good to check with your local authority.

Secondly, it is essential to check if you can get help with the cost of an air-source heat pump - air-source heat pumps can be costly; on average, installation can cost around £14,000. However, there is a chance you are eligible for funding, as the government incentivise heat pumps due to the future proof of homes - and their eco-friendly nature.

Lastly, it's essential to find a trusted installer. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) helps you find certified installers and systems, and you can purchase air source heat pumps at The Underfloor Heating Store.