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FAQ for Air Source Heat Pump

Q: Who are Eco Airpump?
A: Eco Air pump Air Source Heat pump are designed with German technology ,development and engineering, primarily for the Nordic market employing exacting quality controlled methods of heat pump technology.
Their reputation has evolved from the intrinsic reliability and quality of the products which continue to be specified in design and build applications around the world. Eco Airpump are the specialist division of the solar tube company.

Q: Can I use a standard 240v electrical supply?
A: Yes. All our air source heat pump (EAP range) are designed to run on standard UK single phase 240v supply.

Q: Are Eco Airpump air source heat pump environmentally friendly?
A: With almost 30% of the UK carbon emissions coming from 24 million houses in the UK. Eco Airpump will reduce carbon emissions from your space and hot water heating by at least 50% versus gas and even more when compared to oil, LPG and electric heating. However,the electrical supply used to power your heat pump will generate some emissions from the power station some electricity suppliers now offer green electricity from renewable sources. If you use this type of renewable power supply, your property will be completely heated and yet produce ZERO carbon emissions!

Q:Are heat pumps safe and what about servicing?
A: Heat pumps are completely safe and a tried and tested technology. There are no hazardous gas emissions, no flammable oil, LPG or gas pipes, no unsightly fuel storage and no flues or chimneys with heat pump installations? There is no need for regular servicing or expensive annual safety checks

Q: How do running costs compare with conventional energy sources?
A: In a modern, well insulated property an air source heat pump gives you industry best efficiencies and low running costs. The very best of modern condensing gas boilers may only be a little more expensive to run but with ever increasing gas prices, regular servicing and maintenance, the costs soon add up so remember to add these into your financial calculations when comparing costs. An oil boiler or LPG system will cost considerably more to run and electric heating can be as much as three times more expensive!

Q: What is a heat pump and how do they work?
A: A heat pump is an electrically powered appliance which uses compressor and refrigeration technology to transfer heat from one place to another.

Q: Can the heat pump supply my domestic hot water and my space heating?
A: Eco Airpump with weather compensating temperature fucntions can supply all of your domestic hot water at 60°C directly from the heat pump itself and all of your heating requirements at temperatures up to 58°C.  
Eco Airpump do not require the use of inline heaters to raise temperatures to 65°C and are therefore much more efficient and economical than other products which are widely available. Most imported heat pumps can only supply temperatures up to 55°C from their circuitry and use electrical resistance heaters to upgrade the temperature to 65°C for domestic hot water storage. This method dramatically reduces efficiency and increases running costs.

Q:Will I need a new boiler?
A: In most cases an Eco Airpump air source heat pump can provide all hot water and heating requirements, without the need for top-up from a boiler..

Q: How much hot water is produced each day by an Eco Airpump air source heat pump?
A: Hot Water is stored and made available in a thermal store allowing for ample daily usage requirements. The systems provide large amounts of hot water quickly and at low cost.

Q: How do air source heat pumps work?
A: An air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from its inside. It can extract heat from the air even when the outside temperature is as low as minus 10° C. The heat energy in the air is transferred to a sealed system of refrigerant inside the unit. Which is pumped through a compressor, which compresses the gaseous refrigerant. As the gas is compressed, it is heated up, much like when air is compressed. It is this heat which is transferred to the central heating water, to be used in the home. The cycle of refrigerant cooling and then being compressed is completed many times to give a constant heat.

The efficiency of air source heat pump systems is measured by a coefficient of performance (CoP) - the amount of heat they produce compared to the amount of electricity needed to run them. A typical CoP for an air source heat pump is around 3.8 at 20 degree.

Q:The benefits of air source heat pumps

  • Reduce your fuel bills: air source heat pumps tend to be cheaper to run than gas, electric storage or oil heating.
  • Cut down on wasted electricity: heating your home with an air source heat pump is much more efficient than using electric heaters or storage heaters.
  • Save space: an air source heat pump system is compact, and requires no fuel tanks like LPG gas or oil.
  • Renewable Energy: the energy is extracted from the air outside.
  • Carbon Reduction: A carbon reduction of up to 60% can be achieved.
  • Zero Local Emissions: No flue gas is given off by a heat pump and there is no carbon monoxide risk.

Q:Is an air source heat pump suitable for my home?
A: Our advanced heat pump technology ensures that all properties can benefit from an Air Source Heat Pump in some way. There are other factors to consider.

  • You should take the time to insulate your home as efficiently as possible to save even more fuel cost.
  • Is your home well insulated? Since air source heat pumps produce less heat than traditional boilers, it's essential that your home is insulated and draught proofed well for the heating system to be effective.
  • What fuel will you be replacing? The system will pay for itself much more quickly if it's replacing an electricity, Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), oil or coal heating system than an up to date High Efficiency Mains Gas System. (but the gas will still have the high emissions)
  • On a retro fit or upgrade a heat pump can be successfully integrated with the existing heating but some general upgrades may be essential.
  • Is the system intended for a new development? Take advantage of our technical support to help optimise and simplify the build.

Q: Will it provide enough hot water for baths showers & domestic hot water?
A: Our advanced heat pump technology can deliver a temperature of up to 62° C which will provide abundant, piping hot water. Much too hot to put your hand under without scalding. (you don’t have to set it this high.)

Q: What are the design considerations for my home?
A: As long as there is a free flow of air around the unit there are few restrictions.
For installation details and technical support information, please visit our product support page

Q: How much noise do Air Source Heat Pumps generate?
A: There is some fan noise, and the other components are about as loud as a large domestic freezer. The case design and fan operations are specifically designed to minimise noise.

Q: Does the Air Source Heat Pump work all year round?
A: The system performs down to air temperatures of -10°c which means that they are more than suitable for installations within the UK. Hot water and Heating can be provided 365 days a year. In properties with larger heat demand, boilers or multi fuel burners can be successfully integrated. Our technical staff will provide an installation schematic.

Q: How green are Air Source Heat Pumps?
A: A reduction of CO2 emissions of up to 60% would be expected. The Energy Efficiency rating assessments of new builds using Air Source Heat Pumps rated as "A" which is the highest level for heating and hot water production. An additional benefit is the residual value to the property in the event of a transfer of ownership. Air Source Heat Pumps have a CoP (Coefficient of Performance) of 4:1. This means for every unit of energy consumed by the Air Source Heat Pump you would get a return of 4 usable units of usable energy, making the property cheaper to run and attractive to purchasers.

Q: Does the Air Source Heat Pump work all year round?
A: The ECOAIRPUMP heat pump performs down to air temperatures of -25 degree c which means that they are more than suitable for the UK. Hot water and Heating can be provided 365 days a year. The hot water is produced without the use of an electrical immersion heater and even at 55 degree c it is more than hot enough for baths and showers.

Q: Where do I get more information including pricing?
A: Simply contact our sales desk on 08444 930099 or email us at info@ecoairpump.co.uk, we are looking forward to hearing from you.

For print friendly version, you can download a copy of air source heat pump technical support document and FAQ document.

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