Heat Pumps: What you need to know
If you are looking for a more efficient way to generate warmth this winter then heat pumps could be the answer.
With gas, oil and electricity prices rising in 2021 and fierce debates and discussions at COP26 about the urgent need to take action, now is the perfect time to consider heat pumps for your property.
In this article, we discuss what heat pumps are, how they work and how you can benefit from them. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are MCS and RECC accredited and our expert team of professionals would be happy to answer any questions that you might have.
What are heat pumps?
Heat pumps are a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional gas central heating systems that most homes and public buildings have. It’s a device that moves heat from one location to another.
Although their main focus is about providing heat, modern heat pumps are used for heating, cooling, and water heating, and they are perfect for larger buildings such as schools and public offices.
The word “pump” refers to how the device forces or transfers thermal energy mechanically, without using any fuel or combustion of any kind. Thus making it a much lower producer of CO2.
A heat pump uses the same principles as a refrigerator except in reverse. It sucks in air from outside and warms the air up in the process of blowing it into the building.
How efficient is a heat pump?
Heat pump efficiency is measured by its Coefficient of Performance (CoP), which tells you how effective a heat pump will heat your room or building.
We won’t go into the details on how this is calculated but, using this scale, commercial air source heat pumps can be as efficient as 4 which means that, for every unit of electricity you consume the heat pump will generate 4 or more units of heat - or put more simply, it’s up to 4 times more efficient than traditional heating systems since many electric heaters are rated as 1.
These measurements are taken under ideal or perfect conditions and are only used as a guide. The conditions of a room including factors such as airflow and if you have underfloor heating can impact how effective a heat pump is
Heat pumps are ideal where buildings are used for longer periods throughout the day. They are much more effective in these circumstances as they provide a steady flow of heat over time. They aren’t designed to provide a boost of heat in the evening to a very cold room.
Should I consider heat pumps for my property?
Yes, you should consider installing a renewable energy sources of heating such as heat pumps in your commercial or residential property. The benefits of heat pumps are clear. They are relatively quiet, highly efficient and a great way to provide warmth throughout the day while minimising CO2 emissions and damage to the planet.
If you would like to know more about using heat pumps to save money and the environment, then contact Lawton Building and Engineering Services today. We are fully accredited including MCS and RECC (Renewable Energy Consumer Code).