Air Source Heat Pumps: Installations
Air source heat pumps are a great alternative to Ground or Water Source Heat Pumps if you don’t have the available space for a ground array, and also cost less to install. Working like an air conditioning unit in reverse, an Air Source Heat Pump absorbs heat from the outside air. A fan draws the air over a type of heat exchanger called an evaporator, which contains a refrigerant liquid. As the evaporator is warmed by the air being drawn across it, the refrigerant liquid boils and evaporates into a refrigerant gas. This gas is then sucked into a compressor where it is compressed to a high pressure and forced through a small orifice, gaining lots of energy in the form of heat.. This heat is then transferred to your central heating system by another heat exchanger called a condenser to heat your hot water, radiators, underfloor or swimming pool. The refrigerant that has been depleted of its heat is then sent back to the evaporator, to start the cycle of absorbing heat from the air all over again.
An Air Source Heat Pump only needs enough electricity to power the fan, circulation pump and the compressor. Transferring more heat into your building than it costs to run, it can be cheaper than an expensive gas boiler. And because the Air Source Heat Pump can extract heat from air temperatures as low as -7C, you’ll have a constant source of climate-friendly* heat all year round, whatever the weather. (*Air Source Heat Pumps tend to have SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) ranging between 2.8 and 4).
At Baystar we recognise that not all Air Source Heat Pumps on the market are designed to operate in our UK climate, where we often have cold, damp winters. These Air Source Heat Pumps tend to be cheaper to purchase but tend to use smaller mass-produced evaporators that have narrower passageways for the air to pass through. This can cause ice to form more frequently than other manufacturers that have taken British weather into account. To remove the ice from the evaporator, the heat pump has to go into a defrost mode where it reverses the refrigeration cycle to melt the ice. This process not only wastes precious electricity but also halts the production of heating or hot water until the process is complete, in some cases happening 4 to 5 times an hour! Baystar are not tied to any specific manufacturers and we only use tried and tested Air Source Heat Pumps that work in our UK climate, so you can be reassured that the heat pumps we install will work throughout the year.
Air Source Heat Pump Installation: how does Baystar work?
Once you’ve settled on an Air Source Heat Pump, what happens next? Our team at Baystar are here to walk you through every step of the process, answer any questions, and make sure you have everything you need to get the Renewable Energy ball rolling. Here’s what happens on your Baystar journey towards cleaner energy and lower fuel bills…
Desktop Assessment
Design
The Fit
Always There
Desktop assessment
This is where we look at the specifics of your project. Because every property or development is unique, each project we take on has a bespoke solution designed by our in-house engineers and technicians. After carefully consulting with you about your needs and based on the property plans and EPC ratings, we create a bespoke proposal outlining exactly what we can deliver, and the likely cost.
Design
Our team come to your property for their first site visit to create your official Heat Loss Assessment. Working to existing plans – or measuring the property to create a new one if you don’t have plans available we map out where in the building you’re losing heat, and how we can combat that. We also scout the area to find the best location for the external Air Source Heat Pump unit, which ideally should be as close to the properties as possible..
The fit
Our work usually takes place during three particular phases of any property: the build, the refurb, or the ‘retrofit’. During a build or a refurb (house extension, building renovation), construction teams are usually already on site, so our team can come in and work alongside your existing team. A ‘retrofit’ project simply means that we’re the only project happening at that time. Less intrusive or disruptive than the Ground Source Heat Pump, our Air Source Heat Pump installation team can be in and out typically within 2 to 4 weeks depending on the final design, leaving you with a smooth-running, renewable heating system that, with the right maintenance and care, can last you decades.
Always there
Once everything is installed and running perfectly, we don’t just leave you holding the proverbial baby. We ensure your heat pump is registered with MCS and the relevant manufacturer for the official warranty. We provide you with a fully comprehensive handover pack with all of your certificates, manufacturer’s literature and any extra information you may need in the future. We’ll answer any questions you have post-installation and we can return annually to make sure your heat pump is fully serviced and covered for its warranty.
Renewable Maintenance
Your Renewable Heat System is a long-term investment and so maintaining it is just as important as the installation. Baystar work in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that the warranty remains valid. We can offer a fully insured maintenance contract for all new installations, or we can be called to service installations laid down by other companies. All our engineers are fully certified and trained to the highest standards, with years of experience in maintaining bespoke renewable systems.
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Baystar LTD
Beechover House
Springfield Ln
Horsham
RH12 4TA