Renewable Heating

Ground & Air Source Heat Pumps

15% of the emission cuts planned by 2020 will be through domestic small-scale renewable energy technologies.  With the introduction of Renewable Heat Premium Payments (RHPP) which pays a grant through the Energy Saving Trust of £850 for an air source heat pump (ASHP) or £1,250 for a ground source heat pump (GSHP), a heat pump is a clear choice for many households.

 

How do heat pumps work?

A heat pump has four main components:

• Evaporator
• Compressor
• Condenser
• Expansion Valve

It is these four components that make up a vapour compression cycle.  A fridge uses the same components in using heat from food stored in the fridge to keep the fridge cool. 

A heat pump extracts heat from the ground or outside air and uses the energy, which has been collected through a refrigeration process, to heat the home through radiators or underfloor heating.  This process also provides domestic hot water via a hot water cylinder.

For more information, download a pdf here.

 

Warm Water Underfloor Heating

As the perfect partner to low temperature heat sources such as heat pumps,  Underfloor Heating (UFH) gives freedom of space as no obtrusive radiators will be needed.

The heat from UFH is more comfortable since it radiates from the floor upwards creating warm feet and a cooler head.  It also provides an even spread of warmth throughout the property thus removing any hot and cold spots, a problem typical of a convected radiator based system.

The temperature from the heat source is anywhere between 35°C and 55°C and therefore at these lower temperatures versus a radiator system, which operates typically at 70°C, further fuel savings can be achieved.

Add the lifestyle benefits UFH gives through the reduction of draughts and dust mites, plus an overall sense of improved wellbeing, and the advantages for choosing a warm water underfloor heating system are clear.