Heat pumps are currently a hot topic of conversation for homeowners across Ireland as the focus on sustainability, carbon reduction, and reducing environmental impact continues to increase. To help you gain a better understanding of this heating technology, heating manufacturer Grant answers your heat pump questions.
What is a heat pump?
Air source heat pumps, also known as air to water heat pumps, are a popular renewable heating choice, especially for new build projects because they provide an energy efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective way to heat a home.
A heat pump is a versatile electrical appliance featuring an efficient heating system which extracts heat from one source and transfers it to another, working like a fridge or an air conditioning unit.
Benefits of heat pumps
Compared with other domestic heating methods such as conventional fuel boilers, heat pumps like the Grant Aerona³ can deliver savings on annual heating bills. Available in outputs of 6kW, 10kW, 13kW and 17kW, units within this range of heat pumps can deliver over four times the amount of energy for every 1kW of electricity depending on the flow temperature and the climate conditions prevailing at the time.
The 13kW and 17kW models with the Aerona3 range have also been recognised for their quiet operation by the internationally acclaimed Quiet Mark.
A heat pump will require more investment than a conventional fuel boiler, however the running costs and comfort levels will be improved provided the house is adequately insulated.
The energy source used by a heat pump is electricity, which can be entirely renewable, which in turn helps to reduce carbon emissions.
How to make your new build home heat pump ready
When choosing a heating system for a new build property, homeowners should consider their current and future requirements along with their preferred heat emitters for individual rooms, as this can affect the choice of main heat source that drives the system.
New build properties in the Republic of Ireland are required to meet specific building regulations to ensure home heating compliance for energy ratings including being Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
Air to water air source heat pumps, such as the Grant Aerona3 R32 heat pump range, helps to achieve compliance required under building regulations and as part of the company's free of charge home heating design service, the technical team at Grant works with contractors on new build projects to correctly combine and specify heating technologies to maximise efficiencies and meet all compliance requirements.
Should you install a heat pump into an existing property?
Every home is different and has unique heating requirements. If you would like to make your home more sustainable and are considering installing a heat pump as part of a renovation or retrofit project, there are several steps that would be required for you to take to ensure that your home is heat pump ready.
For a heat pump to work most efficiently, your home needs to be very well insulated to prevent as much heat from escaping as possible. Insulation comes in many forms, and it is important that all are covered – attic, walls, windows, doors and floors. If a home is poorly insulated, higher temperatures will be needed to produce adequate heat throughout the home and the heat pump may struggle to meet these needs, which can result in higher home heating bills.
Attic insulation
Up to 30 per cent of heat can be lost through the roof of a property, so improving your loft insulation is essential when preparing your home for a heat pump. On average, you will need to lay around 270mm of wool insulation throughout your attic.
Wall insulation
Old houses are likely to have cavity walls, which means that the walls have a hollow centre and will need to be insulated to reduce heat loss through filling the air space with material that inhibits heat transfer.
More modern homes are built to retain heat better; however, it is recommended that you ask your local plumber or installer to check the insulation in your home is adequate for a heat pump installation.
Windows and doors
Windows and doors allow heat to escape easily from the home, so ensuring they are well insulated using double glazing is vital before installing a heat pump. An insulating layer of double glazing on windows and doors throughout your home will help keep the cold temperatures on the outside from affecting the climate on the inside.
Floor insulation
Depending on the scale of the project you are planning on undertaking, floor insulation can be installed to ensure minimal heat is escaping from the property. This is typically only done if the project is a deep-retrofit and if the homeowner is planning to install underfloor heating, as it is a very costly and time-consuming task.
Heating for the future
Overall, a heat pump like the Grant Aerona3 R32 air to water, air source heat pump, offers an energy efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective way to heat your home. Installing as part of a new build project is more straightforward but it is also possible to install in an existing home, provided the relevant preparation is done to the property to ensure it is suitable for a heat pump.
To find out more about Grants innovative heating solutions and to have further home heating questions answered, check out the new Grant Knowledge Hub.
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