Air source heat pump soundproofing is a hot topic these days. Heat pumps have become very popular, which has led to a tsunami of new installations. Unfortunately, not all of these installations been done appropriately, which can lead to nuisance complaints from close neighbours.

If a heat pump has been installed directly outside the bedroom window, this can cause disturbance for the occupants and lead to sleepless nights.

Heat pumps aren’t actually that noisy, making no more noise than comparable household equipment. Indeed, they are quieter than gas boilers tend to be but, nevertheless, being mindful about where to position your air source heat pump and making sure steps are taken to ensure it runs quietly is important.

Are air source heat pumps loud?

One of the most common questions we get asked by people who are thinking of installing an air source heat pump is, “are air source heat pumps loud”?

Typically, the noise level of an air source heat pump is on a par with a microwave oven and is significantly quieter than a toilet flushing.

Whether you think that’s loud or not depends on how sensitive you are to noise. People’s responses to noise are deeply personal, with some people able to sleep through a bomb blast, whereas others stir at the sound of the gentlest whisper.

People can also become sensitised to noise and once they have noticed even a relatively quiet noise and become irritated by it, it then becomes impossible to ignore and a source of nuisance.instal

Noise also travels in very strange way sometimes. Vibrations can become amplified and focused due to the presence of reflective surfaces for example. It is possible for the occupants of a house that has a heat pump mounted on the wall outside the kitchen to hear nothing when it kicks in and be completely unaware of its presence as far as the noise it makes goes. However, that same heat pump can be a real source of nuisance to their neighbours, who may be more than 10 m away.

The reasons why this can happen can be complex and very site-specific but one possible explanation is that the occupants of the building are behind the fan blades, so the noise is directed away from them. In addition, the wall upon which the heat pump is mounted could serve as a sound reflector, further reducing noise to the people in the property and directing it towards the neighbours.

What is the quietest air source heat pump?

The Ochsner Air Hawk 208 heat pump claims to operate very quietly indeed. The technical specs state 28 dB at a distance of 3 m from the outdoor unit when running in standard mode.

Compare this to other heat pumps that might typically run at 42dB and you can easily see that the Ochsner model is very quiet indeed.

When you bear in mind that the decibel scale is a logarithmic scale, the difference is even more stark. For every increase of 3 dB, the noise becomes twice as loud and for every 10 dB increase the sound energy is increased by a factor of 10. So you draw the conclusion that the 42 dB heat pump emits more than 10 times the sound energy of the Ochsner.

How loud are Mitsubishi heat pumps?

Mitsubishi on the most popular models of heat pump available. So people often ask specifically about the level of noise that they emit.

According to Kearney HVAC, you can expect the outdoor unit of a Mitsubishi Electric mini split heat pump to operate at the noise level of 58 dB. Although this is much higher than the Ochsner, it’s actually still pretty quiet -about the same noise level as a microwave. The connected indoor unit provided by Mitsubishi is even quieter still, as this operates as low as 19 dB’s.

Are ductless heat pumps noisy?

Ductless heat pumps are often dubbed “whisper quiet” by manufacturers and installers alike. A lot of people with these systems installed report being surprised at how quiet they are, to the point where they think they have been switched off.

As previously mentioned, all household appliances make some noise. During normal operation a ductless heat pump will give off the gentle sound of the fan turning to blow air. Sometimes you might hear the refrigerant being pumped through the unit and other mechanical noises like the clicking of switches and whirring of servos. These sounds are generally nothing to worry about and not too obtrusive.

Air source heat pump noise Calculator

Using the manufacturers technical data sheet as a starting point, it is possible to obtain a weighted sound power level of the heat pump. Choosing the highest sound power level listed on the datasheet and applying various factors of modification to take into account directivity, the distance from the heat pump to the assessment position, it is possible to estimate the decibel reduction at any given point of interest, such as the window of a neighbouring property.

Making these calculations in advance of installing your air source heat pump will help you in any application for planning permission and help to ensure that your new unit doesn’t become a source of noise nuisance for neighbours.

There is guidance available online to help with these heat pump noise calculations. It is possible to run calculations to determine the likely noise levels at any particular assessment position, which could include a dormer window of a neighbouring property. Generally, the focus of these calculations is on habitable rooms, which are rooms other than kitchens and bathrooms.

Samsung air source heat pump noise

Samsung are another popular manufacturer air source heat pumps, so it’s worth mentioning the noise that they might typically emit.

Samsung air source heat pump noise is generally between 48 and 54 dB, depending on the specific model. That’s according to the technical manual for Samsung’s EHS Mono range.

Other models in Samsung’s range are likely to fall close to these numbers, but if noise is important to you and recommend satisfying yourself by looking at the numbers for your particular model.

Why does my heat pump sound so loud?

These are the words that no heat pump installer wants to hear. Sometimes heat pumps can make loud noises due to a fault in one of the components or as a result of poor installation practices.

All heating products can make a fair bit of noise. But normally in the case of an air source heat pump, if it’s perceived as noisy, more often than not it’s because it’s poorly positioned. That can mean it right outside the bedroom window and disturbs the occupants’ sleep. It might also mean that is oriented in such a way that it directs all the noise towards a neighbours house, possibly with the assistance of reflective surfaces that serve to amplify the noise.

If the person being affected is particularly sensitive to noise, this can also be a factor.

Neighbours noisy air source heat pump

If you are unable being affected by noisy air source heat pump, this can be a very unpleasant experience. Your neighbours might not even know you are being affected, so it’s usually a good idea to go have a chat with them before taking any formal action.

If a quiet chat doesn’t work, or if they just don’t believe you, confirm your local environmental health and ask them to come out doing independent assessment on your behalf.

Once you’ve been able to establish that neighbours noisy air source heat pump is the source of the problem is having a material impact on the quality of life, you have the evidence to take things forward.

Of course, the planning system is supposed to prevent these sorts of problems arising in the first place, but we don’t live in a perfect world.

Noise complaints from air source heat pumps

If you are receiving noise complaints about your air source heat pump, there are actions you can take to mitigate this.

It’s best, if you can, to avoid conflict and resolve matters in an amicable way. If the complaints you have received but downfall channels, it will serve you well to be cooperative and actively take steps to minimise the nuisance.

Can you soundproof an air source heat pump?

Before taking steps to soundproof an air source heat pump, you should make sure that it’s been properly maintained and is not faulty in any way.

Imbalances or damage to components, bolts working loose, cables rubbing against moving parts, and even debris in the unit itself can give rise to noise from your heatit’s always worth checking for these issues before jumping in purchasing a separate enclosure.

You might find that replacing the fan or the motor so they run smoothly once more will fix the noise issues related to moving components in your heat pump.

If things are really badly damaged or very old, you might actually need to replace the entire unit. Most heat pumps will last up to 20 years or perhaps longer, so replacement shouldn’t be necessary unless your heat pump is very long in the tooth.

If you spoken to a heat pump technician and they advise that your heat pump is in full working order, they might be time to look at soundproofing options.

How do you soundproof a heat pump?

So, how do you soundproof a heat pump? Once again, it depends on what the issue is. There are a couple of ways that you can tackle the problem within the heat pump itself.

Sound blanket wraps

If the compressor is old and worn but still serviceable, you might have success with sound blanket wrap (also known as an acoustic barrier blanket or sound damping blanket). These are exactly what they sound like basically wraps made of sound reducing material which wrap around the compressor and cut down the noise that they generate. It’s important that the sound blanket wrap is fitted by professional to ensure its effectiveness and nature doesn’t interfere with the operation of the heat pump.

Vibration isolation dampener mounts

Excessive vibration can cause your heat pump to be noisy, so installing dampener mounts on the bolts that fix the compressor in position to isolate any vibration can work a treat.

Clean the fan blades

A buildup of dirt on the fan blades can cause them to wobble due to the imbalances an uneven buildup of dirt can cause. Good clean can fix this, which highlights the importance of regular servicing which will keep everything clean and in good working order, thereby keeping your heat pump quiet.

How do I dampen the sound from my heat pump?

If you’ve tried wrapping the compressor and installing isolation dampener mounts but the noise is still excessive, you could try damping down the sound from your heat pump from the outside.

There are several approaches to this.

Can I enclose my air source heat pump?

You need to take care when fitting any kind of enclosure around your heat pump. If you don’t leave sufficient air gap to allow for the necessary airflow and ventilation around your unit, it can hamper its operation and might even damage it.

Air Source heat pump soundproofing with a fence

Built properly, a sound dampening fence can make a big difference, greatly reducing noise levels and at the same time concealing your heat pump, thereby reducing its visual impact. Even a simple wooden fence can help a lot and will go some way to protecting your heat pump from the elements, as well as from stray footballs your kids might send its way.

Air source heat pump shed

If you really want to look after your heat pump, you could make it it’s own little house. An air source heat pump shed might be overkill, but it’s likely to be extremely effective in terms of noise mitigation and will certainly protect the unit from the elements which might increase its lifespan.

Air source heat pump enclosure

Professionally manufactured acoustic enclosures are available, which will do a very good job of getting noise from your heat pump. They are available in a variety of materials, ensure proper airflow around the unit and have the added benefit of being secure and tamperproof.

You probably have seen commercial versions of these outside public buildings like, which are fairly functional in appearance. There are versions of these which are much more visually appealing and blend in well in a residential environment.

I would caution against building your own heat pump enclosure, but if you really must please make sure that you allow for sufficient air circulation. If the cold air being expelled from the unit cannot escape from the enclosure and ends up being drawn back into the heat pump unit, it will dramatically reduce the efficiency of your heat pump. Ever colder air will be drawn into the heat pump and the overall effect will be similar to running the heat pump in the middle of winter – much less efficient.

Manufacturers of heat pump enclosures

Daikin acoustic enclosures

Daikin launched their acoustic sound enclosures in May 2021. Billed as “the intelligent approach sound reduction”, enclosures were a response to the strict sound regulations being enforced in areas of dense population. Building upon the already quiet heat pumps available, the sound enclosures further reduce noise levels to avoid any nuisance problems.

They are also discreet and easy to install and are specifically designed to avoid short-circuiting of cold air.

Environ

Environ’s heat pump enclosures are compact, weatherproof and built to last. Available in most standard colours with special finishes available such as to the effect paintwork, Environ cater to the style conscious residential market.

Environ have been in this business for over a decade and have developed a patented system to eliminate noise from heat pumps. The units make use of the principles of sound insulation, sound absorption and incident sound wave cancellation which work together to greatly reduce the noise generated by heat pump.

Pumph

Pumph are a UK firm based in Nottingham and make wooden guards designed for listed buildings particularly scenic areas. They make use of tanalised, pressure treated timber to create enclosures that comprise louvred panels which optimise airflow.

Pumph’s wooden guards improve the look of a heat pump, quick and simple to put together and install and suit most standard sizes of air source heat pumps.

Summary

Hopefully heat pump noise is not something you’ll ever have to worry about. With careful selection of a quiet model, proper siting and installation, your heat pump will operate quietly and efficiently for many trouble-free years.

Proper maintenance of your heat pump will help to ensure that noise does not become a problem as your unit ages.

Noise does become an issue, you can take the remedial steps outlined above, which include acoustic wraps for any noisy internal components, as well as solutions involving enclosures that prevent noise escaping from the immediate vicinity of the heat pump unit.

Professional heat pump installers and technicians will be able to advise you if you do get problems with noise, or if you’re concerned about any of the issues above. Please read our article on how to find an installer, which will help you find a properly qualified technician in your area and what to expect, as well as some useful questions to ask.

If you didn’t realise that the Panasonic air source heat pump was a thing, you should know that they have been in this game for a very long time. Starting out as an air conditioning manufacturer, Panasonic have grown their business and extended their reach well beyond Asia, innovating in the design and manufacture of air conditioning units and more recently heat pumps.

A quick history lesson

Way before Elon musk was even a twinkle in his father’s eye, Panasonic were hard at work laying the foundations for an HVAC empire that now stretches right around the globe. Let’s take a look at some of the key milestones on their journey.

Home coolers

Panasonic has a long history of making air source heat pumps. It first dipped its toe in the HVAC space in 1958 with his first home cooler, which is the name suggests was an air conditioning unit. It resembled a pigeon coop and was one of the window type air-conditioners that were popular at the time.

These units were marketed across the home cooling market under the brand name Kadoma, a.k.a. electrical appliance business group.

Still focusing on home coolers, exports began to South Vietnam in 1961, with room coolers coming along by the mid-60s.

Rotary compressors

By 1968, Panasonic had started to develop rotary compressors which were an important innovation for the company. The compressor units manufactured by Panasonic attracted interest from producers of AC units at home and abroad, which the company capitalised on by actively selling to these interested third parties.

Heat pump innovation

Innovation continued throughout the 1970s and the company expanded, exporting to countries throughout Southeast Asia and Australasia. During this time operations were based in two locations- Japan and Malaysia.

Heat pumps in Europe

By the middle of the 1970s, Panasonic had set up shop in Europe and by the 80s was producing inverter air conditioners which were then shipped to America.

The birth of the gas heat pump

The story gets interesting in 1985, when Panasonic began making its first GHP VRF air conditioner. GHP stands for gas heat pump, and the evolution of Panasonic’s early range of heat pumps was well underway. At the same time, they started working towards scroll compressors, another important innovation which delivered much improved efficiency, quiet operation and minimal vibration, which was a big improvement over the rotary compressors.

Three pipe VRF and the EcoCute

Towards the end of the 80s, Panasonic scored a world first, with the introduction of the three pipe VRF system. The innovations kept coming and coming throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000’s with the innovative EcoCute adopting the highly efficient accumulator less CO₂ scroll compressor.

Panasonic mini splits – eco-friendly design

In 2003, Panasonic rolled out to the highly efficient mini-VRF multi-split series, which were packaged air-conditioners that could be used in the home. In the same year they launched the CO2 heat pump hot water heater, also known as EcoCute, which made use of noncombustible and non-toxic, natural refrigerant rather than the freon gas which was widely used at the time. This had the effect of making the heat pump much more environmentally friendly than its predecessors.

Airstream robots and motion sensors

Throughout the early 2000’s, Panasonic’s units increased in popularity, particularly in Japan. They continued to innovate, introducing airstream robots and motion sensors which improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their units resulting in increased market share. The milestone of 200 million units produced was reached in 2006.

Panasonic air to water heat pump

2008 saw the start of production of the air to water heat pump unit at Panasonic’s European factories. This was excellent positioning by Panasonic, who cleverly anticipated the demise of conventional fossil fuel heating and offered a much more environmentally friendly alternative in the form of a heat pump, which qualifies as a renewable form of heating.

Panasonic heat pumps go worldwide

For the last 10 years or so, Panasonic has continued to grow and innovate, establishing new sales arms in Europe and collaborating with Sanyo, expanding their works in Malaysia and establishing themselves as a leading contender in the global HVAC marketplace.

Is Panasonic a good heat pump?

Much of providing a rock for the last few years, you will know that heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular as a means of heating your home and providing hot water. The reasons for this are myriad, but the obvious ones include the better eco-friendly credentials of heat pumps compared to traditional fossil fuel fired boilers, as well as the fact that you can save a lot of money by switching to a heat pump.

Panasonic is a popular brand in the heat pump space. They offer a wide range of very energy efficient heat pump products, many of which can be controlled via Wi-Fi.

Panasonic products include ducted systems and wall mounted units that are capable of serving both residential and commercial buildings.

Panasonic have won awards all over the world for their heat pumps, as far afield as New Zealand, where they named top choice for heat pumps by a consumer group. They’ve also been awarded the accolade of the most trusted New Zealand heat pump brand by Reader’s Digest – we Scots have a great affinity with the Kiwis, so we should be comfortable trusting their judgement on this.

How does the Panasonic Aquarea Air Source Heat Pump Work?

The Panasonic Aquarea operates using the same standard technology you will find in most mainstream heat pumps. It takes the energy present in the air and converts it using the heat pump and refrigeration cycle to heat or cool your home and to produce hot water.

Panasonic offers two main types of heat pump. The first is what’s known as a split heat pump, which is normally installed in cold areas. The second type is called a monoblock unit, which is more straightforward to install and takes up less space.

Air is blown by the fan across the air heat exchanger inside the heat pump, which takes the energy gathered from the air and passes it through a compressor before passing through the water heat exchanger where it heats the water up.

Hot water tanks are available from Panasonic in sizes from 200 to 500 L which can be connected to the system and will provide you with water efficiently and without any fuss.

The Panasonic Aquarea air source heat pump can be used in conjunction with low-temperature radiators or underfloor heating. And if he gets too hot in the height of summer, fat chance here in Scotland I know, it can even be set up to provide cooling.

Solar panels

If you want to make your air source heat pump even more efficient, consider connecting it to solar panels to use renewable electricity to power your heat pump.

Such systems can be incredibly efficient, will save you money over time and make you more environmentally friendly by reducing your carbon footprint.

Panasonic air source heat pump cost

Although it will depend on the complexity of your installation project, where you live in the country and the size of your property, it is possible to generalise about approximate costs.

For example, a typical range to bear in mind for the installation of an air source heat pump might be between £8,000 and £18,000. A few of the factors that will influence the exact cost include the following.

• The size of your property
• how warm you like your living areas to be
• whether you need to have your radiators replaced
• whether you require underfloor heating to be installed

Summary

Panasonic a long pedigree in designing, manufacturing and innovating in the heat pump industry. They are a solid choice if you’re looking for a reliable brand of air source heat pump and have a proven track record in the space.

The cost of a Panasonic air source heat pump will be on a par with other manufacturers and you should speak to your installer to get a firm idea of likely costs.

Please take a look at our article on how to find a heat pump installer for information about the right questions to ask and what to expect.

Perhaps better known for their iconic phones, Samsung are nevertheless a key player in the air source heat pump market.

The Samsung air source heat pump is a solid choice for anybody looking to heat their home using renewable technology.

If you are not on the mains gas network, are interested in reducing your carbon footprint and perhaps saving a bit of money to boot, a Samsung air source heat pump could be for you.

How long has Samsung been making heat pumps?

Samsung is a South Korean company which has been trading since 1938. They have actively sought to innovate and diversify their business, entering the markets for electronics food processing and even insurance by 1970.

Samsung is probably best known for its smartphone range but has been making air conditioning units and heat pumps for over 20 years. The first Samsung air conditioning unit was introduced in 1974.

Samsung HVAC (an industrial machinery manufacturing company) began trading in 1998 and imported and distributed Samsung products for the HVAC market. Samsung HVAC was acquired by Samsung Electronics in 2014 and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.

So, as you can see, Samsung has long-running experience in the heat pump market.

What is a Samsung air source heat pump?

Samsung makes all manner of HVAC products for the residential and commercial markets.

Their wide range of heat pumps can be please pretty much any new build or retrofit project.

The Samsung heat pump range works on the same scientific principles underpinning any heat pump. A refrigerant is pumped around the system, picking up heat from outside the property and transferring that heat via the indoor unit to the inside of the building.

Heat pumps operate pretty much the same as a fridge, but in reverse.

Samsung’s heat pump products are marketed as EHS (ecological and economical heating system).

There are three types of heat pumps that Samsung manufactures. These are as follows.

• EHS Mono – a compact and light solution which includes a pre-plumbed cylinder unit to reduce installation time.
• EHS Split – combines easily with a third-party domestic hot water tank. Being a split, it can provide both heating and cooling for domestic hot water needs, underfloor heating/cooling and radiators.
• EHS TDM Plus – this model offers air to water and air to air heating for your home.

How does a Samsung heat pump work?

All Samsung air source heat pumps operate using the vapour compression cycle, which is a particular type of heat pump and refrigeration cycle. The vapour compression cycle found favour in the latter half of the 20^th century when it took over from the vapour absorption cycle which have a much lower coefficient of performance.

All Samsung air source heat pumps comprise two heat exchangers, one which absorbs heat from outside the building and one which emits heat to the inside of the property.

A refrigerant fluid is passed through an expansion valve which reduces its pressure and causes the temperature to drop. The mixed phase refrigerant, which is partly liquid and partly vapour, is fed through the evaporator on the outside the building where it vaporises as heat is passed from the air outside into the refrigerant.

Now a low-temperature, low pressure gas, the refrigerant travels through a compressor which leaves as a superheated gas. The superheated gas is passed through the condenser and heat is released through the condensation process, which is then distributed within the building by the indoor unit.

Is Samsung a good heat pump?

The basic technology used in heat pump systems is well tested and has been around for decades. These units can be relied upon to work well and stay trouble-free, provided they are properly maintained, for many years.

Samsung air source heat pumps offer some unique features that set them apart from the competition, such as Grant, Nibe and Mitsubishi. They have drawn on their technological expertise in the smartphone sector to improve the ease of use and convenience of their heat pumps.

Here are a few examples.

SmartThings App

Many Samsung heat pump models come with the ability to connect to Wi-Fi. This means that you can control your heat pump system using your mobile phone or tablet. Simply install the SmartThings app and you can control everything from the comfort of your armchair, or even turn the system on as you travel home after work to make sure your house is comfortable when you arrive home.

Motion detection sensor

You can buy a motion detection sensor as an add-on for your Samsung air source heat pump. This clever little device can tell whether there is anybody in the room or not and adjust the heating output accordingly. This will save you money over time and, as you might expect from a smartphone manufacturer, the Samsung motion detection sensor is a smart sensor, which actually learns how you use different rooms throughout the day in order to maximise efficiency and the amount of money you can save.

Smart Install

Smart install is a handy tool provided by Samsung, which ensures your system is operating properly at all times. It conducts a self-diagnosis by checking the flow of refrigerant in your heat pump, making sure the refrigerant charge is as it should be and that the indoor unit is communicating properly with the outdoor unit.

This helps pick up any small problems that might arise with your heat pump system and fix them before they develop into significant headaches. It also ensures that your heat pump runs efficiently and effectively at all times.

Smart Check

Smart Check is another self diagnostic system that monitors your heat pump for faults. Anything it finds will be passed to the smart things app to alert the user to the error and offer troubleshooting tips so that you can get things running smoothly again in no time.

How much does an air source heat pump cost?

Running costs

Running costs of air source heat pumps are lower than gas boilers. The move heat from outside to inside using the refrigeration cycle rather than directly generating heat from electricity. Because of this they are more energy efficient than standard electrical resistance heaters and oil fired or gas boilers.

Carbon costs

In fact they have the capability to deliver carbon dioxide savings of 60 to 70% compared to conventional electric heating and 55 to 65% savings if you take the very best gas boilers as your reference point.

Maintenance costs

As far as maintenance goes, you probably wouldn’t spend much more than £150-£300 per year on servicing and maintenance. This would be about the same or cheaper than maintaining a gas boiler.

Installation costs

Installation costs of air source heat pumps vary across the country. Cost of installation will depend greatly on the complexity involved, for example whether you need to install under floor heating as part of the project, or you might need to replace your existing radiators temperature, larger radiators.

To give you some idea roughly how much the bill could be, consider the following examples which are for illustration purposes only. Make sure you get proper quote for your particular situation.

• To supply an air to water heat pump could cost from £4,000 to £8,000, although if you require a pre-plumbed cylinder as part of this, costs could reach £12,000.
• Installation of an air-to-water air source heat pump could cost between £5,000 and £10,000.
• To supply and fit a small air-to-air air source heat pump (say 5kW) would probably cost you around £3,000.

Samsung air source heat pump prices

Samsung air source heat pump prices should depart greatly from the examples given above. The website is quite useful in terms of narrowing down your options and see what might work well for your circumstances, but pricing information is harder to come by.

You can find Samsung air source heat pumps listed on popular trade websites anywhere from £3,000-£16,000. Really the best way to find out how much it will cost you to install a Samsung air source heat pump is to speak to a qualified air source heat pump installer will be able to advise you on the type and size of heat pump that will best needs. Only then will you really understand of the likely costs involved. And don’t forget that complicating factors such as having to replace radiators or install under floor heating can significantly increase the cost of your project.

Summary

Samsung are a quality brand and the making air source heat pumps for a long time.

They offer various sizes and types of heat pump to suit most needs. If you just need a space heater, the Samsung air-to-air heat pumps are worth looking into further. If you need a heat pump to heat your hot water, then an air-to-water heat pump is what you need and Samsung make these as well.

Samsung heat pumps are priced competitively but they set themselves apart with technological innovations such as the SmartThings app, which improves the convenience efficiency and effectiveness of your system.

If you are interested in exploring further, please read our article on finding an installer. It will give you some useful tips and guidance on what to look out for when choosing who to install your pump and help you do your research properly before appointing somebody.

Let’s talk about Mitsubishi air source heat pumps. Mitsubishi Ecodan are a very well-known brand and many people have heard of these units even before they become interested in installing heat pump themselves.

Why are they so popular? There are many different brands available, such as Grant, Nibe, Vaillant and Samsung. So what sets Mitsubishi Ecodan heat pumps apart from the competition?

Brand recognition

I think the fact that Mitsubishi is such an enormous company, and makes an incredibly wide range of products, means that most people recognise their logo and respect their brand.

I mean, not many companies can be relied upon to make heat pumps, pens, pencils, cars, aircraft and even aircraft carriers! It’s very likely that most people have come into contact with Mitsubishi products at some point and this familiarity with the brand and what it stands for translates to trust, which then leads people to become customers.

So, they have a very powerful and valuable brand but what else is Mitsubishi’s success built on, and what are the specific attributes of their heat pump range that keep people coming back for more?

Buffer Tanks not always required

One of the reasons Ecodan units are so popular could be that they do not require buffer tanks in all cases. This means that they can be installed in properties where space is restricted. Buffer tanks assist with the hydraulics of the system – balancing and ensuring equal flows are achieved.

When the heat pump is under significant load and a build up of ice starts to form on the refrigerant pipework, water from the buffer tank is used to assist with the defrost cycle. This means that the Ecodan units can fit, for example, in a typical airing cupboard, which means that installation is more straightforward and often works out cheaper.

Occasionally though, even the Ecodan Mitsubishi air source heat pumps are a bit too big to fit in the space available. This is not insurmountable though, because a third-party buffer tank can be used, provided it is heat pump ready. Heat pump ready basically means that it has a larger coil inside the cylinder and is able to heat efficiently and capable of providing hot water at the right temperature within a reasonable time.

Component Parts of an Ecodan Heat Pump

Ecodan heat pumps are made of the following component parts.

• Control unit (FTC – Temperature Controller) – this is the panel you will find on the side of your heat pump but allows you to control different aspects of the heat pump’s operation. It basically talks to the unit outside
• Flow sensor
• Thermostat

These parts are engineered to very high quality and can be relied upon to provide loyal service for many years. The high quality of the component parts of the Ecodan heat pump range are a big selling point.

What Ecodan heat pump sizes are available?

The Ecodan heat pumps come in several different size options, which offers choice to the customer and makes available an Ecodan Mitsubishi air source heat pump for any project. This is another reason for the ubiquity of the Ecodan range.

Sizes available are as follows.

Single fan units:

• 5 kW
• 6 kW
• 8.5kW
• 11.2 kW

Double fan units

• 14 kW – This is the only one that will need planning permission

High Seasonal Coefficent of Performance (SCOP)

Mitsubishi air source heat pumps are very efficient, with amazingly good seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP).

The SCOP value is gaining favour over the traditional COP that has been used in the past for describing heat pump efficiency. It is preferred these days because it gives you a good idea of how effective your heat pump will be every year, whereas the COP value only gave you an idea of efficiency for specific outdoor temperature and indoor flow temperature combinations.

Higher outside temperatures and lower flow temperatures result in improved efficiency and SCOP values.

To illustrate, the 8.5 kW unit at 45°C will give you SCOP around 4.1, whereas at 50°C the SCOP is 3.8. As a general rule larger heat pumps tend to have slightly lower SCOP values and smaller heat pumps, tend to be more efficient and have commensurately higher SCOP values. These differences are not large but do make a difference over time, so it’s important that you discuss the details with your heat pump installer.

Generally speaking, the flow temperature for a typical Mitsubishi Ecodan heat pump system is approximately 45° for underfloor heating, which is lower than for radiators. Radiators normally have flow temperatures of 50° C because higher temperatures are required to compensate for the reduced surface area available to transmit heat.

Sometimes it is possible to reduce the flow temperature on new builds even further because they tend to be very well insulated. In a very well insulated home, temperatures as low as 37 to 40°C in some circumstances are sufficient. These lower temperatures are only possible where the houses are quite airtight and well insulated, so you are unlikely to get away with them on retrofit projects particularly on older houses that were built when the insulation requirements were far less.

The main requirement is to provide comfortable ambient heat across the whole property. To do this, all the above factors need to be taken into account and carefully considered in the design of the system. This is why it is so important to have a fully qualified professional heating engineer responsible for the design and installation of your heat pump system.

Mitsubishi wireless controller

Mitsubishi make wireless controllers that are fully compatible with their heat pumps and allow for zoning of different rooms in the property. This means that the heating can be controlled separately in different rooms, allowing the homeowner full customisation of temperature throughout the house.

This capability improves the efficiency of the heat pump system by allowing unoccupied rooms to have the heating off, for example turning off heating in bedrooms during the day. Setting the controller up to intelligently switch the heating on and off in different rooms can make a huge difference to the efficiency of the system overall.

It’s possible program is controllers with different settings for different days of the week, for example turning everything off on weekdays when house is not unoccupied during the day but making sure that living areas are kept nice and cosy throughout the day on weekends.

If you want to override the settings at any time it is very easy to do so by nudging the temperature in any given room up or down using the controller buttons.

Aesthetics

Maybe it’s because they have drawn upon the design sensibilities of their automotive arm, but the aesthetic appeal of Mitsubishi’s heat pumps is very good.

In fact the Mitsubishi Ecodan series looks very stylish indeed. People put a lot of care into the appearance of their home and don’t want to make sacrifices on style if they can help it. And they don’t have to with Mitsubishi.

Just take a look at the Ecodan Monoblock Stand-alone air source heat pump and its stunning black and cream minimalist aesthetic. It has class and style written all over it.

Whisper quiet operation

The Ecodan heat pump operates very quietly and unobtrusively. Operating in the noise range of around 44 to 45 dB, you’ll hardly notice the heat pump is there.

Summary

Mitsubishi are a very well known brand globally and their popular Ecodan range has a well-deserved large share of the market.

They are highly efficient, often won’t need a buffer tank, which means they can fit in airing cupboards more easily and are a good choice if space is an issue.

They are available in multiple sizes to meet the requirements of any property, look great and operate quietly and efficiently. A good choice if you are looking for a new heat pump.

If you would like to find out more, please feel free to browse around our website, which has many useful articles that you may find of interest. When the time comes for you to talk to a professional about having heat pump installed, please take a look at our article on how to find heat pump installer, which will give you tips and advice on what to look out for and the right questions to ask.

Back in the 80s, the government at the time was pushing gas as the “wonder fuel” of the future. But times change and these days the direction of travel is away from gas and towards renewable energy. We’re seeing a reduction in air source heat pump cost. Scotland is already a leader in renewable energy and increasing the uptake of heat pumps will take us even further in the future.

One of the most popular and well-publicised forms of renewable energy available to householders across the country is the heat pump. Heat pumps are a very well-established form of technology with a proven track record. They are used widely all over the world and certain types of pump can provide cooling as well as heating, making them ideal for both winter and summer.

The announcement back in March 2019 by then Chancellor Philip Hammond, who said that the installation of boilers in new homes would be banned from 2025, caused a stir at the time. However, with the climate emergency hastening and the need for action becoming greater by the day, the real question is why did government after government wait so long to make such an announcement?

The answer probably has a lot to do with money and whether the majority of householders could afford to install a heat pump. Three years on from his announcement, Mr Hammond’s party is once again encouraging people to install pumps, but how do the economics stack up today? Let’s find out.

What is a heat pump and how does it work?

Before we dive into the economics of heat pumps, but refresh our memories and what they are and how they work.

Heat pumps use the refrigeration cycle to transfer heat from outside the building to inside. They operate in the same way as a fridge but in reverse. A fridge takes heat from inside the cool compartment and gets rid of it via the grill (or radiator) mounted on the back of the unit. A heat pump applied exactly the same principles, but takes its heat from the ambient air outside and dumps it inside the building, either by directly blowing warm air into the room, via low-temperature radiators or underfloor heating.

We’ll talk about air source heat pumps and the likely cost of installation in Scotland later in this article, but I’d like to give a brief overview of the different types of heat pumps that are available so you know that they are out there because I might be a better choice for particular circumstances.

What are the types of heat pump?

The main types of heat pump are as follows.

• Air source heat pump
• Ground source heat pump
• Water source heat pump

Air source heat pump

An air source heat pump captures heat from the air outside with the aid of a suction fan which is normally attached to the outside wall of your house. The heat is captured in the refrigerant fluid, which is then pumped through a compressor where it changes state to become a higher temperature higher pressure superheated gas. It is then pumped to the condenser at which point heat is released from the refrigerant and transmitted around the building.

Ground source heat pump

As you might imagine, rather than take the heat from the ambient air outside, a ground source heat pump takes its heat from the ground.

Apart from that it operates in exactly the same way. Ground source heat pumps tend to be more expensive to install because of the necessary ground works. You also need more space than would be required for an air source heat pump and there is typically more disruption because you need to dig a series of trenches to accommodate the ground loop through which the refrigerant passes as it draws in heat from the soil in your garden.

Once that he gets inside, the process is exactly the same as for an air source heat pump.

Water source heat pump

There is a lot less discussion online about water source heat pumps compared to the other two main types. I suppose this is not all that surprising because in order to install water source heat pump, one needs a body of water such as a lake or river. Not everybody has a lake or river nearby from which to take the heat needed to run a water source heat pump, so these tend to be slightly more niche systems.

Aside from where they get the heat from, they function exactly the same as air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps. It’s possible they are more efficient in some circumstances too because a river containing plenty of water can make a lot of heat energy available as a water source heat pump can take advantage of.

Air source heat pump cost Scotland

I will focus on her source heat pumps for the rest of this article because they are the most accessible form of renewable energy in the heat pump family and tend to be slightly more affordable, easier to install and involve less disruption than the other types.

But one of the questions that keep coming out is, “do air source heat pumps work in Scotland?” It’s a reasonable question and is surprisingly difficult to get a straight answer, so let’s try and get to the bottom of things.

Do air source heat pumps work in Scotland?

Scotland’s climate tends to be a little colder than England and Wales. People may have heard rumours that he pumps don’t work so well in cold weather, which my cast doubt on their ability to adequately heat your home during a harsh Scottish winter.

But, do you think Mitsubishi would invest in a production facility in Scotland if their heat pumps wouldn’t work in Scotland? Take a look at the following video, where George Clark gives a guided tour of Mitsubishi’s Ecodan production facility in Scotland.

Heat pump manufacturers take great pains to point out their products function very well even in colder climates. In fact heat pumps are remarkably popular in Scandinavian countries such as Norway Finland and Sweden, where there are thousands of satisfied heat pump users.

Many models of the pump state on their product sheets that they can operate down to temperatures as low as -20 to -25°C, which would equate to record-breaking low temperatures in Scotland.

The only thing to bear in mind about this fact is that houses in Scandinavia tend to be very well insulated, which isn’t something that can be said for all homes in Scotland. However, if your home is relatively new and complies with the insulation requirements of the new housing regs, you shouldn’t have any problem with a heat pump, provided it is properly designed to meet your requirements. Even if your house is currently adequately insulated for the installation of a heat pump, this can be rectified by retrofitting additional insulation to your home.

Air source heat pump cost (Scotland)

The cost of a heat pump can be broken down into three main factors, namely the cost of the unit itself, the cost of installation and running costs. But consider each one in turn.

How much does an air source heat pump unit cost?

Depending on the capacity that you need your heat pump to be, a basic air to air heat pump would start at approximately £1,800 for the unit itself. The costs tend to rise with your heat requirement and larger heat pumps tend to cost more.

For comparison, if you were interested in buying the Samsung HXSM-G6-031 5KW air-source heat pump kit (150LTR) from screw fix, at the time of writing this was back £5,449.99 including VAT.

However, unless you happen to be fully qualified technician, I wouldn’t recommend going down the DIY route because that could be asking for trouble. Although they operate on simple scientific principles, it is extremely important that any pump is designed, sized and installed to precise requirements. These requirements vary from building to building and even from person-to-person because the amount of insulation, preferred learning temperature, number of rooms and when those rooms are occupied throughout the day etc all have influence on the type and design of the ideal heat pump system.

How much does it cost to get an air source heat pump installed?

Roughly speaking, to get an air source heat pump installed will send back anything from £8000 always up to £20,000. Exactly where within this range your project falls depends on your heating requirement, the number of units needed to heat your home and how straightforward the installation is. Cost can also vary from region to region, so it is well worth getting a number of quotes from different installers.

When deciding on a firm to choose to install your heat pump, it is important sure they are adequately qualified. One good indication to pay attention to is whether your installer is certified under the microgeneration certification scheme (MCS). In order to be accredited under the MCS and air source heat pump installer has to pass the vetting process, which ensures they meet the minimum qualification requirements and should know doing one day turn up to install your system.

How much does it cost to run an air source heat pump?

Heat pumps tend to be much cheaper to run than comparable fossil fuel powered alternatives. The exact price obviously depends on the cost of electricity, which in recent months has skyrocketed.

One of the benefits of using heat pump, though is that for every unit of electrical energy consumed, on average three units of heat energy is produced by the heat pump. The ratio of electrical energy consumed to heat energy produced is known as the coefficient of performance (COP). The coefficient of performance varies according to regional climate and other factors but typically ranges between 2.5 and 3.5 for most heat pumps installed in the UK.

For an average home in Scotland, the running costs of air source heat pump would typically be between £450 and £960 per year. The bigger your house the larger the running costs.

What are the maintenance costs of air source heat pump?

Maintenance costs should also be borne in mind when considering running costs of an air source heat pump. These will vary from technician to technician but the annual servicing of an air source heat pump will typically cost you between £150 and £200.

Air source heat pumps are very reliable long lifespan. They don’t break down very often, so you will find yourself requiring an emergency callout very often, which will also keep costs relatively low.

Air source heat pump grants

It is worth mentioning the grants that are available as incentive schemes provided by the government to encourage the uptake of heat pumps.

The main scheme of this type is called the renewable heat incentive (RHI), which offers considerable assistance to homeowners looking to installing pump system. The grants are usually paid over a period of seven years and the amount awarded is calculated based on a number of factors specific to property. For an average property in Scotland, you might expect to receive between £875 and £1,900 under the scheme each year for seven years.

That’s certainly nothing to be said that can help greatly in reducing the overall cost of installing and operating an air source heat pump.

Summary

There’s been plenty of encouragement for householders to invest in heat pump technology in recent years, which has included the provision of financial incentives and campaigns in the media. If we are to address the climate change emergency fully, we must all do our part and heat our homes using renewable technology. Heat pumps are probably the best way to do this.

Although there are several types of heat pump, an air source heat pump is by far the easiest to install and has minimal space requirements, unlike ground source heat pumps which the trenches to be dug next to the house for the ground loop to collect heat from the ground.

Installation costs for air source heat pumps typically range from £8000-£20,000, which is more expensive your average gas boiler. However these costs can be offset with government grants such as the renewable heat incentive and you should find that you save money on running costs, which will work out cheaper in the long run.

If this has piqued your interest, please visit our page about how to find an installer to learn more about what to look out for and helpful questions to ask.

Air to air heat pumps are probably the most straightforward type of heat pump and the easiest to understand. They take heat from outside a building, which is absorbed via the outdoor unit, and transfer it to the inside of a building. That’s it!

An air to air heat pump is basically an air conditioning unit running in reverse. Of course, its operation is underpinned by various scientific principles and modern units are precision engineered to maximise efficiency, performance and longevity. But at its heart it employs the same basic technology as an air conditioning unit or the humble fridge.

Air to air heat pump – how does it work?

Heat pumps are classed as a renewable form of energy. This is because they move heat from one place to another, rather than generating heat directly in the way an electrical resistance heater does.

Because of the way heat pumps move heat energy rather than generate heat directly, they are much more efficient than electrical resistance heaters. An electrical resistance heater heats up when electricity is passed through the heating element. However, a heat pump makes use of the refrigeration cycle to absorb heat into a refrigerant fluid as it passes through its outdoor unit. It is then compressed in the heat pump’s compressor before passing through the evaporator where it  releases heat, which is then available for heating the home.

In the case of an air to air heat pump, the heat is simply blown into the home using a fan, a little bit like a hair dryer – but a lot less noisy!

Air to air heat pumps (UK)

The UK government signed up to an obligation under the European Union’s renewable energy directive to generate far more of its electricity needs via renewable sources.

The bar has been set very high with an overall target of 15% of total energy consumption coming from renewable sources by 2020 with further moves in that direction to be made beyond that date.

The target was further broken down across different sectors such that 30% of the energy used in the electricity sector should come from renewables and 12% in the heat sector. The target for the transport sector was set at 10% renewables and there has been significant progress made in that direction.

Transport is an interesting one, because the appeal of the electric vehicle has grown considerably in recent years and I wouldn’t be surprised if targets are exceeded as a result. Particularly with the aspirational status of Tesla vehicles and the rising cost of petrol and diesel driving people into electric vehicles in order to minimise their transportation costs. But I digress.

The government is committed to achieving the 12% (and beyond) renewables in the heat sector, which they hope to achieve in large part through a massive roll out of heat pumps. the goal is to be installing 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028 – no small feat. This is doable but requires significant investment in skills and incentives to encourage people to sign up to these new systems.

What this means for you is that there may be government money available to reduce the costs you will incur when you choose to install a heat pump.

The UK government in England and Wales have announced incentives (see video below). Hopefully this will prompt similar incentives here in Scotland as well.

What are the pros and cons of air to air heat pump systems?

Given the push that heat pumps are receiving from the government at the moment, you would be forgiven for thinking they are the answer to all your heating needs. Whilst heat pumps can be an excellent choice, they are not necessarily the perfect solution in all circumstances.

They are by far the most popular type of heat pump though, with air source heat pumps making up 87% of the market in the UK.

Let’s take a close look at the advantages and disadvantages of air to air heat pumps.

Advantages

• Air to air heat pumps typically have low installation costs.
• They have a low carbon footprint and are therefore an environmentally friendly way to heat your house.
• A low carbon footprint also translates to low running costs, which will save you money on an ongoing basis.
• Because air to air heat pumps qualify as renewable forms of heating, you could be eligible for government grants and incentives such as the renewable heat incentive (RHI). This could further reduce your costs.
• Depending on the model, air to air heat pumps can be installed in such a way that they provide heating and cooling, ideal for both summer and winter.
• They can work in very low temperatures, down to as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius.
• The installation process for air to air heat pumps is much more straight forward than, for example, a ground source heat pump. This is because there is no requirement to drill a borehole or dig trenches for the ground loop as is needed for ground source heating.
• Maintenance costs are low, with servicing required only once per year.
• Long life span – with proper maintenance an air to air heat pump can last for up to 20 years or more.
• No fuel storage – because heat pumps run on electricity, there is no need to keep an ugly gas or oil tank in your garden, which can be a bit of an eyesore and a potential hazard.

Disadvantages

• Lower operating temperatures than traditional heating systems – because heat pumps operate at lower temperatures than traditional fossil fuel heating systems, you might need larger radiators or even have to install under floor heating. In the case of air to air heat pump systems, you won’t be using radiators or underfloor heating but it’s worth remembering that you won’t have a nice hot radiator to lean against on those cold winter morning.
• Insulation – your home needs to be highly insulated for heat pumps to operate effectively. You could argue that this is not a disadvantage because extra insulation will always save you money in the long run so is rarely a bad idea.
• Lower efficiency in very cold conditions – provided your system is properly designed and installed, this needn’t be a problem, but make sure you get proper advice to avoid disappointment later.

Air to air heat pump cost UK

It’s a good idea to have an understanding of the likely cost of a heat pump system before reaching a decision about whether it’s for you are not.

There are two elements to the costs that need to be considered. The first is installation cost which is obviously payable upfront and can be quite significant. The second is the cost of running the system, which can be a lot cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives, particularly if you are eligible for government incentive payments.

Installation costs

Typical heat pump installation costs in the UK range between £1,500 and £3,000. The lower end of this range is what you could expect to pay for a single split system of about 500 kW. If you were to install a VRF (variable Refrigerant Flow) system that would be up towards the £3000 mark. These costs don’t include the price of the heat pump unit itself.

Costs can go much higher if your project more ambitious, with the supply and fitting of an air source heat pump potentially costing between five and £10,000, possibly more than that if your requirements warrant significant work.

Running costs

Running costs again fall into two categories: maintenance and the cost of electricity to power the unit.

Maintenance costs can vary from area to area, however, they are unlikely to be less than £70 per year and are much more likely to be around the £250 per year mark.

The running costs of an air source heat pump will vary dramatically according to the size of the property being heated and the current cost of electricity. You can’t avoid hearing in the news about the surging price of electricity thanks to the energy crisis, so there is a lot of uncertainty around the future cost of electricity at the moment.

There is of course the option to take advantage of economy seven electricity and other low-cost tariffs, which can bring down running costs considerably. A reasonable estimate for the running costs of an air source heat pump might be around 4.7p per kilowatt hour. This is far cheaper than the 9 to 16p per kilowatt hour you would expect to pay with standard electric heaters.

Summary

We’ve learned that an air to air heat pump is basically an air conditioning unit running in reverse.

We also covered the fact that government incentives and targets are making the move to heat pumps seem almost inevitable.

Air source heat pumps are an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel boilers and can be installed and operated at reasonable cost.

Provided your home is well insulated and you don’t live in the Arctic Circle, you should be well served by one of these units.

The pophybrularity of heat pumps in the UK is on the rise, partly as a result of government incentives but also because people are beginning to realise that using the best air source heat pumps offers a real opportunity to improve the environmental friendliness of the way they heat their homes and at the same time save some money.

What is an air source heat pump?

First of all let’s remind ourselves what an air source heat pump is. I’ve gone into this in depth in other articles on this website but basically an air source heat pump is a fridge in reverse.

It pumps refrigerant fluid around the system picking up heat from outside the building and transferring it to inside the building via underfloor heating, low temperature radiators or by blowing warm air into living spaces.

Heat pumps are considered a form of renewable energy because instead of generating heat in the way an electric fire would do, they simply move heat from one place to another. Their efficiency is measured using a metric called COP (coefficient of performance), which is the ratio of electrical energy used vs heat energy imparted. COP values of three to four are often quoted, which means that for every unit of electrical energy used, you get three or four units of heat energy – not a bad deal, eh?

Are air source heat pumps worth it?

George Clark certainly thinks so…

There is no doubt that fossil fuel powered heating is on its way out. The current energy crisis, due in part to shortages of supply and the vagaries of the global political landscape, has only served to emphasise this fact.

Replacing the current stock of gas and oil powered boilers will take some time. The ambitious government targets around heat pump installation mean that heat pump installations need to be going in at a rate of 600,000 per year by 2028. This is a phenomenally high figure but with the right investment, I think it is achievable.

Such ambitious targets clearly demonstrate that the UK government absolutely does think that air source heat pumps are worth it.

In many circumstances, heat pumps are a wise choice and can save you hundreds of pounds a year in heating costs. This does depend on a number of factors though which needs to be borne in mind when deciding whether to go with a heat pump or not. For example, how well insulated is your house currently? It is very important when installing a heat pump to ensure that there is adequate insulation in the building otherwise the heat pump will have to work too hard and is likely to be inefficient, particularly during cold weather.

Other factors that you need to consider include how warm you like your living areas to be, whether you like continuous heat throughout the day and whether it makes sense for you to divide your home into different zones for heating purposes.

You should also think about how much disruption you are prepared to put up with during the installation process. If I new heat pump would require under floor heating to be installed in order to be efficient, which means ripping up floors, can you bear to see your lovely kitchen tiles being ripped up to allow this to happen?

So, there are lots of things to think about and a decision for you personally about whether air source heat pumps are worth it his best made in full knowledge of all the facts and following a consultation with a fully qualified professional heat pump installer who will be able to give you good advice.

What are the two main types of air source heat pumps?

People often talk about the two main types of air source heat pumps as being air to air heat pumps and air to water heat pumps. However, there are actually four types if you include high temperature heat pumps and hybrid heat pumps. Let’s take a quick look at the different types below.

Air to water heat pumps

This type of heat pump takes heat from outside and transfers it to water for use around the home. The water is heated to about 50 degrees Celsius or so and is used for domestic hot water for washing and bathing or can be pumped around a central heating system with radiators or under floor heating.

Air to air heat pumps

These machines are basically air conditioning units in reverse. Instead of blowing cold air into your room, they blow warm air. Very simple and straight forward.

Hybrid heat pumps

As you might expect, a hybrid heat pump employs additional technologies in combination with a heat pump. Typically a hybrid system makes use of a gas boiler or oil boiler, which kicks in as a top up to be added to the heat generated by the heat pump itself. This has the benefit of allowing the heat pump to operate at maximum efficiency with any peaks in demand being handled by the fossil fuel boiler.

High temperature heat pumps

This type of heat pump really comes into its own in situations where it would be a lot of work to replace existing radiators and other pipework to allow a standard heat pump to operate effectively. High temperature heat pump basically use two compressors instead of one, which means it can raise the temperature much higher (often as high as 80 deg C). These much higher temperatures are similar to those used by conventional central heating systems which means the replacement of radiators is not necessary.

What is the best make of air source heat pump?

To answer this question, I conducted a poll of experts in heat pump installation and design. I gave people the option of choosing who they thought made the best heat pumps, listing the main manufacturers and asking them to pick the best.

The results surprised me a little.

Vaillant took the most votes, followed by Daikin, with Nibe coming in third. Viessman was next, closely followed by Mitsubishi. I must admit that, prior to conducting the poll, I had expected Mitsubishi to be in the top three because of the name they have built for themselves in the industry with their Ecodan range. I also would have tipped Nibe for the top as many of the experienced installers I know rate their heat pumps very highly indeed. Nobody even mentioned Grant, despite their award-winning heat pumps entering the market recently.

My poll was not exactly a scientific study and the sample might not have been representative of the industry as a whole, but I thought it was interesting and reflects the views of a subset of installers across the country. Take the rankings with a pinch of salt, though.

Best air source heat pump 2022 UK

Having promised to answer the question of which is the best air source heat pump, I set to work researching all the different brands and models available.

What is clear is that the best choice of heat pump is dependent on how you intend to use it and what your priorities are. Let’s consider a few of the priorities people might feel are important.

Efficiency

If you are primarily concerned with efficiency, the Hitachi Yutaki M RASM-4VNE would be a great choice. This unit has an efficiency of 500%, which is outstanding. Such high efficiency comes at the expense of peak output, which is on the low side, but if your home is well insulated and not too large this could be an excellent choice.

Warranty

We all know that heat pumps can be expensive to repair if they break down, so having a cast iron warranty might be top of your priority list. If that’s the case, Nibe has you covered, which is no surprise given this company has built it’s reputation as a premium heat pump manufacturer over the many decades it has been in business. Their NIBE F2040 comes with a 7 year warranty, which should give even the most nervous of customers peace of mind.

Cost

Grant offer a good choice of heat pumps and the Grant Aerona³ R32 is great value for money. It’s price tag is only £5,400 but it offers good efficiency and has a maximum power output of 17kW, which keeps it offering decent performance down to temperatures as low as -20°C.

Cold temperatures

If you live in a cold part of the world, having a heat pump that will perform even during a harsh winter will be important. LG’s Thermia V R32 Monobloc offers good performance at temperatures down to minus 25 degrees Celsius.

Best air source heat pump overall

As mentioned above, the best air source heat pump is a matter for you to decide along with your professional heat pump adviser, taking account of your specific circumstances and needs. However, if you were to push me to choose which brand I would go for, I would have to sit on the fence slightly.

For me, Nibe has always been the first heat pump manufacturer brand that I think of when someone mentions premium quality. On the other hand, I would be foolish to ignore the results of the poll I conducted, which take account of the views and experience of many experts.

I would, therefore, have to say that both Nibe and Vaillant offer high quality heat pumps that you should consider putting on your shortlist.

A commercial air source heat pump is an ideal opportunity for you to make your business greener and save money at the same time.

With the UK government planning to install 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028, creating over a quarter of a million new green jobs in the process, there is a lot of excitement around heat pump technology at the moment.

At the moment, the HVAC industry installs about 30,000 heat pumps a year, so the growth required is massive.

So exactly what is a heat pump that should you install one on your premises?

What are commercial air source heat pumps?

Commercial heat pumps are used in a wide variety of settings from hospitals, schools and offices, to swimming pools and restaurants. You name the building, and chances are there’s an example somewhere.

Commercial heat pumps are designed for use in larger scale environments and usually have a high heating capacity and operate with much larger volumes than domestic heat pumps.

Commercial heat pumps are often employed in large arrays of multiple units and you can often see them lined up on roofs or enclosures at ground level next to the buildings they are heating.

The appearance of a commercial heat pump is often plainer and less well finished than a domestic appliance. Commercial units don’t need to fit in the tighter spots that can be found in a home and often have a less sleek appearance as a result. Domestic heat pumps are often fully powder coated, where are such a high grade finish is less of a requirement for commercial heat pumps.

Another distinction between the two types of heat pumps is the control system. In commercial settings there are often HVAC technicians on hand to keep them well maintained and ensure they are operated efficiently. However, in a domestic setting the controls tend to be simpler such that an untrained householder can adjust them.

How does a commercial air source heat pump work?

A heat pump uses the same principles that are employed by the refrigerator in your kitchen to heat your home. It does this by collecting heat from outside the building using a low temperature refrigerant. The refrigerant accepts heat from the air outside, often assisted by a fan which blows out across the evaporator. As the refrigerant heats up, it turns to vapour and is compressed two a hot pressurised gas in the compressor before moving onto the condenser wear it transfers the heat to the inside of the building, either by blowing warm air directly into the building, or through the use of under floor heating or low temperature radiators.

Commercial air source heat pump cost

The next question on most people’s minds is, “how much will this cost me”?

Commercial air source heat pumps vary in price considerably and the amount you’ll have to pay is linked to the output of the unit. At the time of writing, a high output commercial/industrial air source heat pump capable of putting out 240,000Btu would cost £33,000. A smaller unit, which is rated at 100,000Btu would cost around £15,000 less.

Before you make a decision, it is recommended to get advice from a qualified contractor who will be able to look at the circumstances of your particular building, how it is used and how it needs to be heated. After conducting a full assessment, a professional will be able to give you a reasonably accurate, estimated commercial air source heat pump cost.

What about running costs?

Based on premises approximately 700 m2 floor area, maintained at 21° during weekdays throughout the year, you could expect to pay around £4,900 to heat your building using LPG,  £4,900 using using mains gas, £3,600 with oil but only £2,100 using an air source heat pump. These numbers are based on an existing boiler with around 80% efficiency.

Further savings can be made when using ASHP with a government grant, which could amount to £1,500.

What are the advantages of a heat pump?

There are many benefits of installing a commercial air source heat pump. For example, consider the following points.

• Efficiency – heat pumps move heat from outside the building to inside using the refrigeration cycle. With a COP of 3.5, for each unit of electrical energy consumed by the heat pump, 3.5 units of heat energy is gained.
• Health & Safety – because they run on clean electricity, there is no large gas tank or oil storage required. That cuts down on the possibility of accidents and health impacts due to leaks.
• Green Credentials – using a renewable form of energy such as a heat pump gives your company the green credentials that will prove to customers and employees that you are an environmentally and socially responsible business.
• Reduce Your Costs – lower running costs are possible with heat pumps compared to fossil fuel technologies.

What are the disadvantages of heat pumps?

There are fewer disadvantages than advantages to installing a heat pump, but it is worthwhile understanding both the upsides and the downsides before making a decision. The points listed below are the main downsides of having a heat pump.

• Upfront Cost – heat pumps are relatively expensive to purchase and install compared to traditional heating solutions. However, there are non-domestic RHI grants available to help offset the cost.
• Installation – they can be more complex to install and may have planning requirements with associated red tape.
• Not Suitable in all Situations – this is a case of making sure you get proper advice so that you can be assured your building is sufficiently well insulated, your local climate is compatible and the control you require is possible with a heat pump system.
• Disruption – if you need to install underfloor heating, this will involve a lot more disruption than simply connecting your existing radiators to a new boiler.

Summary

A commercial air source heat pump could bring you financial savings and is certainly more environmentally friendly than simply replacing your existing gas boiler like for like.

After the initial investment, the reduced running costs and potential for subsidies will begin to see that investment pay off. Further down the line you could make significant savings, as well as saving the planet by choosing the more environmentally friendly option.

If you are minded to look further into installing a heat pump, take a look at our article on how to find an installer, which tells you what to look out for and some useful questions to ask your chosen contractor.

Ever wondered whether air source heat pumps work in Scotland? It’s a question I’ve often seen asked by people on the internet and the rumour is that heat pumps don’t work in colder climates.

Well, I’m here to set the record straight!

First, let’s look at the misconceptions out there.

Air Source Heating – Scotland is Too Cold?

I’ve seen people claiming that Scotland is too cold for air source heat pumps to operate effectively. Yet in Scandinavia, heat pumps can be found in half of all homes.

Take a look at the graph below, which shows the number of heat pump units per 100 households, plotted against mean temperatures during January, as measured during 1990 to 2020.

The graph shows that the United Kingdom averages about 4 degrees Celsius during a typical January and only has around 1 heat pump unit per 100 households. The only country listed on the graph with lower numbers than that is Hungary, which has practically zero.

Compare this figure to the much colder countries in Scandinavia where uptake of heat pumps is approximately 50%. This is despite the average January temperature being much colder than here in the UK, even in Scotland. In Sweden and Finland, the average temperature is around minus 8 degrees Celsius and yet they have over 40% uptake of heat pumps in their households. Better still is Norway, which is only slightly warmer on average, at approximately -7 degrees Celsius during January – but Norway boasts 60 heat pump units per hundred households.

So how do they do it?

How does Air Source Heating Work in Winter?

It’s not a particularly well-known fact, but air source heat pumps can successfully heat a building even when temperatures plummet to -25 degrees Celsius. In Scotland, we have never experienced temperatures as low as that. In fact the lowest temperature ever recorded in Scotland (and the UK) was -27.2°C, during December 1995. These chilly depths were plumbed in Altnaharra, Sutherland, equalling the previous record set in 1982 at Braemar.

Given the fact it is so rare that temperatures ever get down so low here in Scotland, heat pumps should have no problem dealing with most winter cold snaps.

The heat pump works by extracting heat from the outside air and bringing that heat inside using the magic (or rather, the science) of the refrigeration cycle. Even cold air contains some heat, and a heat pump makes use of this fact to concentrate the heat using refrigerant, an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve. These component parts of the process are employed in a heat pump to move heat from the outside of a building into the living space.

Ever felt the back of a fridge? It’s warm, and that is analogous to the way a heat pump operates.

This guy gives a quick demo of a heat pump working well in very cold weather. If you need a translation, 69°F is about 20.5°C (that’s his indoor temperature) and 30°F is -1°C (his outside temperature). The night before, he said it was in the teens or 20°F the night before, which is around -7°C.

Is Air Source Heating Cheaper than Gas?

We’ve had a long love affair with the gas boiler. Many of us can’t even remember a time before the convenience and comfort of heat “at the flick of a switch”. But with the climate change crisis worsening by the year, we have to do something to wean ourselves off gas heating – and heat pumps just might be the way to do this.

Modern heat pumps have a long life span – typically up to 25 years or more. They have been more expensive to buy and install than a traditional gas boiler but this is changing with their popularity increasing. The RHI payments that are available help bring the cost to the consumer down considerably as well.

Add to that the fact that we are facing a worsening energy crisis, with spiralling costs of gas and other fossil fuels, and heat pumps start to look a bit more attractive. Whether an air source heat pump is cheaper for your home depends on your specific circumstances, but it’s got to be worth investigating, particularly at the moment.

Is Air Source Heating Expensive to Run?

Once you’ve got the initial cost of purchase and installation out of the way, you will find that air source heat pumps are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home.

The initial outlay is on the dear side – typical cost of a fitted ASHP is from £5,000 to £10,000. Compare this to a typical gas boiler, which might cost you £2,000 – £3,000 and you’d be forgiven for going down the traditional route, even if it means losing your green bragging rights.

Once installed, though, the running costs are very low. A typical, modern 4-bedroom house might require 19,000kWh of heat per year, which would come with a price tag of almost £900. Using cheap rate electricity and running the heat pump to heat your home and provide hot water could result in significant savings in the long run.

Air Source Heating – Scotland Can Benefit

Given the fine example set by the Scandinavian countries, I see no reason why Scotland cannot benefit from air source heating-Scotland is after all a country of great innovation and can surely rise to the challenge. It’s not too cold in Scotland for heat pumps to work.

Air source heating is often cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives and the RHI payments help to further enhance the financial appeal of this proven technology.

Provided your property is adequately insulated, installing air source heating in Scotland should be considered a sound option.

The subject of noisy heat pumps comes up quite often. People often ask us are air source heat pumps noisy, so we thought we’d write an article to share our thoughts on the matter.

Chances are you’ve been searching around on the internet looking for videos so that you can try and understand exactly what type of noise is generated by heat pumps and also how loud the noise is.

However, the difficulty with doing that is that it depends on the quality of the recording equipment used and who is producing the video. Also, listening through a laptop speaker is not going to give you a full impression of exactly how loud a heat pump is.

Despite these technical difficulties, one clever chap on YouTube came up with an ingenious way of demonstrating just how quiet heat pumps can be. What he did was actually place his camera, which was recording him at the time, on top of a recently installed air source heat pump which was running.

He didn’t reveal this until halfway through the video and, to be honest, most viewers would have had no idea whatsoever that the camera recording him was sitting on top of a running heat pump. I certainly didn’t and I was listening on my high-quality headphones.

I think this is one of the best demonstrations of just how quiet these systems can be. After all, when YouTubers are recording videos they often have a lot of background noise so the fact that this chap was able to record a video that apparently had no background noise whatsoever using a camera mounted on top of a running heat pump shows just how quiet they can be.

Although you might be able to hear a heat pump in a very quiet countryside area, if you live in an urban area with lots of traffic noise in the background anyway you probably won’t hear the heat pump running unless you’re really straining to listen for it.

Why do heat pumps make noise?

Now we’ve established that air source heat pumps can run quite quietly, it’s worth understanding why under certain circumstances heat pumps can contribute significantly to background noise.

Let’s first remind ourselves what a heat pump is. In simple terms it is a refrigerator operating in reverse. The heat pump takes heat from outside the building, concentrates it using the refrigeration cycle and emits the heat into the inside of the building. The fridge in your kitchen does the opposite by removing heat from inside the appliance and radiating it into the room.

Understanding that a heat pump uses the same technology as a fridge helps put any noise issues in context. We’re all used to the gentle hum of our refrigerators in our kitchens and tend not to notice this. When we do occasionally notice it, it doesn’t bother us because we know the fridge is working hard to keep our food cool and safe to eat.

When a heat pump makes a similar noise, it is working to provide warm air and keep our homes comfortable and our families warm. Usually the noise level is very low indeed as illustrated by the YouTube video above. However, when the noise becomes significant it is often due to one of the following reasons.

Common Reasons Your Heat Pump Could be Making a Loud Noise

1. Worn or loose parts on the Outdoor Unit – If there’s a noise coming from the outdoor unit, such as a buzzing noise or a popping sound, it could be that there is a faulty part which needs to be replaced. Sometimes the compressor can make a noise and loose parts can create rattling, vibrating and buzzing noises. This can happen from time to time on the fan itself. If the motor is beginning to fail this can cause buzz and vibration. Occasionally, you might hear a whooshing or hissing noise, which might be caused by a valve malfunctioning or perhaps the solenoid. Any of these noises are signs that your unit needs the attention of a suitably qualified technician and you should find one right away before the problem gets any worse.
2. Interior air handler – Ticking sounds coming from your indoor unit can indicate there is damage to the fan itself, one of the belts or perhaps a piston or shaft. Buzzing or rattling can be a symptom of a problem caused by a refrigerant leak. Any kind of refrigerant leak needs to be fixed quickly because refrigerant can be harmful to the health of humans and pets. Any loud noises coming from your system could be a result of ageing or even being incorrectly installed in the first place.
3. Ducting Noises – problems with ductwork can be a result of improper installation or due do damage over time. Creaking and popping coming from a duct often suggests a lack of vibration damping and whistling sounds from within the duct itself can indicate improper sealing, often as a result of damage. This type of problem can be tricky to track down so it’s worth bringing in a qualified technician to assess the problem.

Why is my air source heat pump so noisy?

Well, as we talked about so far, your heat pump really shouldn’t be noisy provided it’s been properly installed and maintained. And that brings us to perhaps the most fundamental factor that can affect the perception of noise from heat pumps – the question of where your heat pump is installed.

Poor positioning

If your heat pump is one of the noisier models, the difference between sleepless nights due to the whirring of the fan and being blissfully unaware of its existence, as far as the noise it makes, might simply come down to where it is installed.

On a tight plot, heat pumps might have to be positioned very close to the dwelling house, perhaps even right outside the bedroom window. If this is the case, particularly if one likes to sleep with the window open, the noise generated by even a relatively quiet heat pump might be disturbing.

However, if there is plenty of space in the garden, the heat pump can be installed well away from bedrooms, which means an uninterrupted night’s sleep is not an issue – at least not as far as heat pump noise is concerned.

How Do I Stop My Heat Pump from Making Noise?

If you are stuck with the problem of a noisy heat pump, whether that’s your own heat pump installed directly outside your bedroom window, or your neighbour’s heat pump which is just a bit too close for comfort, there are ways that you can reduce the amount of disturbance but you have to put up with.

Better Maintenance

If the issue is due to poor installation or lack of maintenance, a visit from an HVAC technician might solve the problem straight away. I’d certainly recommend bringing in a professional rather than trying to follow a DIY guide on the internet. Even if it’s not your unit, a friendly chat with your neighbour about their noisy heat pump might be enough to convince them to call someone out to investigate and fix the problem.

However, if the noise is due to poor choice of location, this can be a bit more problematic and calls for alternative remedial measures.

And that’s where heat pump enclosures come in.

Heat Pump Enclosures

A good way to mitigate heat pump noise is with a heat pump enclosure. They cut down on the noise generated by a heat pump by providing a physical barrier which prevents the noise being carried any significant distance.

Heat pump enclosures are available in a range of materials and designs to fit most settings. Some manufacturers state that having an enclosure will reduce noise by up to 13 dBA, which could make the difference between the noise level of a normal conversation the sound level of a whisper. If the noise is quite quiet but nevertheless disturbing to someone, an enclosure could make enough difference that they will no longer hear it at all.

Some people might be tempted to make their own enclosures but it’s a better idea to buy a proper one, which is likely to give you a better result because a professionally designed enclosure will ensure the sound is mitigated without impacting the performance of the heat pump itself.

Are All Heat Pumps Noisy?

As shown in the YouTube video above, not all heat pumps are noisy. Indeed, if they are positioned correctly, properly installed and adequately maintained, they will give loyal service without disturbing you whatsoever.

The level of noise produced by your heat pump is likely to increase slightly over time as parts wear out and the hours of operation take their toll. But in most cases, this is not something that you would need to worry unduly about and shouldn’t put you off installing a heat pump.

Unless your heat pump is installed very close to the room you sleep in or very close to your neighbour’s house, you shouldn’t worry too much about the noise that it might generate. Do your research, take good advice and make sure you have your heat pump installed by a reputable professional and noise should not be an issue, even in the depths of winter.

Which Are The Quietest Air Source Heat Pumps?

Mitsubishi Ecodan are one of the most recognised heat pump brands available. They are a well-respected brand and have done a great job of tapping into the market for heat pumps in the UK, with many installers choosing to recommend them to customers.

Other brands are available, though and it’s important for you to be aware of the range of products that are out there so that you can make an informed decision.

Typically, the level of noise emitted by a heat pump will be between 40 and 60 decibels, this is approximately in the range of the loudness of normal conversation. Generally, you won’t be able to hear the heat pump above background traffic noise so if you live on a busy street, noise really shouldn’t be an issue for you.

Even if you can hear some noise from the heat pump it shouldn’t be more than a low whirring noise from the fan and compressor – similar to a fridge.

Summary – are air source heat pumps noisy then?

To sum up, we have seen that it is possible for heat pumps to be installed in such a way that they don’t make unacceptable noise. Bear in mind the points below for the best outcome.

• Provided you go for one of the well-respected brands and have your heat pump installed by a professionally qualified technician, you should have few problems.
• Make sure you install your heat pump away from bedroom windows and neighbouring buildings.
• Make use of enclosures to mitigate any sound whilst also giving a more pleasing aesthetic and protecting your heat pump from the elements.

Check out our list of installers to help find one serving your area.