06/12/2021
Heat Pumps – what they do and why they’re so good
At Newtide, we’re always looking for ways to make your home more comfortable to live in, and this includes keeping your home warm and the lights on as cheaply as possible. While there any many things we can’t control, like the price of fuel, we can help by installing low-carbon heating systems. They’re reliable, environment-friendly and often reduce the amount you pay for energy.
How do heat pumps work?
There are two different types of heat pumps that we install – air source and ground source. Both are central heating systems which come with radiators and a hot water cylinder, and both are powered by renewable energy. They’re proven to significantly reduce heating bills compared to traditional gas, oil fired heating or storage heaters.
Air Source Heat Pumps
These are the ones we install most often, and they’re fitted to the outside of your home, much like an air conditioning unit. They take heat from the air outside and use it to warm up your home and provide hot water, therefore replacing your boiler.
Ground Source Heat Pumps
As the name suggests, these systems absorb heat from the ground and transfer it into the home. Because they require a large open space to function, they’re most commonly used as communal systems, providing heating and hot water to multiple houses or apartments.
How do you install heat pumps?
We use a process called ‘retrofit’ – this means installing something new onto something that already exists. The term is used for all sorts of energy efficiency improvements, not just heat pumps, like extra insulation or thicker glazed windows.
If we think your home could benefit from a new heat pump, one of our specialist Retrofit Coordinators will take care of the whole process for you – they’ll be your main point of contact throughout and will arrange the installation with other contractors as needed. Once they’ve met with you and surveyed your home, they’ll let you know which upgrades will benefit you the most in reducing your energy bills and carbon output. You’ll then be contacted by the contractor to arrange a date for the work to begin. Depending on exactly how much work will be carried out, the installation might take a few days, but rest assured we’ll do everything we can to minimise the disruption to you and your home. And don’t forget, your Retrofit Coordinator will be on-hand throughout the process, ready to help if you need them. We’ll follow up with you a few weeks later to find out how you’re getting on.
Are heat pumps better than my current system?
There are a few things that make heat pumps a much better choice that traditional systems:
- They’re much better for the environment. (They produce no on-site carbon emissions at all!)
- They’re cheaper to run, which means you’ll be able to heat your home for less.
- They’re exceptionally reliable, providing your home with a steady source of heat for up to 50 years.
- They require minimal maintenance, only removing leaves or debris from the unit outside.
- We can install them for you, thanks to funding from the Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) Scheme.
Want to find out more?
Our Energy & Sustainability team are happy to talk to you about the benefits of air and ground source heat pumps, as well as talking you through the retrofit journey. You can get in touch with them by emailing energyteam@flagship-group.co.uk.
In the meantime, head over to our Energy Management page where you can find out about our journey towards Net Zero Carbon, learn simple ways to save money on your bills and read about government help for keeping your home warm this winter.
