What the heck is an air source heat pump and why do I need one?

Confused on what the heck an air source heat pump is? We’re here to help! Heat pumps are basically a type of clean energy technology that helps regulate the temperature of your home. So in the winter, it keeps your home warm, and in the summer, it keeps your home cool. The best thing about it… it saves you both money and energy. Sounds perfect right? Read on so you can really understand why you would need such a thing. What does the air source heat pump do? As we said before, it does two jobs. But how? There are basically two types of heat pumps: air-source and ground-source. Air-source heat pumps extract heat from the outside when it’s cold, and they remove heat from your home when it’s hot and humid. Ground-source heat pumps or geothermal systems regulate the temperature of your flooring (and ultimately the air within your home) through open-loop or closed-loop systems that are connected to the ground beneath your home. Is this a new concept? Actually these heat pumps are not new at all, but have been used as a way of heating homes for some years now. The very first ground source heat pump was developed in the late 1940s. However, the last few years have seen a large increase in the number of homes being fitted with heat pumps instead of traditional gas or oil boilers. Why the heck do I need one? Well now we know what it is, why the heck do you need one? Well, heat pumps can actually be the best choice for your home in many different ways. We’ve listed just a few. Heat pumps can be safer. Heat pumps are actually much safer than systems based on combustion. They’re safe to operate and rely on electricity, so they don’t need to burn fuel to generate heat. Which is why they come with fewer safety concerns compared to the others. Lower running costs. Heat pumps are much cheaper to run than systems based on combustion. This however does vary depending on the system you select.(1) Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) are widely known as environmentally-friendly investments that can help you save up £790 - £1425 per year on your heating bill when replacing an old electric system. (2) Despite the high cost compared to conventional heating systems, the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments in the UK will help downplay the impact of the high initial price and reduce the running costs of the heat pump. The more energy efficient the systems are, the greater long-term savings on energy. However, the prices to buy one officially can go up to as much as £45,000. But it’s a much more environmentally-friendly investment that can actually help you save up to £1,400 per year. (1) It also requires less maintenance than combustion heating systems. Regularly, once a year, certain details within the system have to be checked. Reduces carbon emissions. You’d literally be reducing your carbon emissions without even thinking about it. A heat pump system has an efficient conversion rate of energy to heat. For example, water source heat pumps reach reasonably high efficiencies, close to 600%. (3) Great for summer and winter. It’s so convenient, that during warmer periods, heat pumps are able to reverse the process, and act like an AC unit. We don't get much of a summer in the UK, but when we do it gets HOT! So this a very convenient way to switch to cooling mode during the summers, without having to invest in an AC you won't use so often.