25 September 2024
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Hamid Salimi, Residential Product Manager at Daikin UK, shares his expertise on various aspects of heat pumps. He covers whether your home is suitable for a heat pump, addresses concerns about the noise of air source heat pumps, discusses their suitability for older homes, and provides tips on how to maintain a heat pump effectively.
Is my home suitable for a heat pump?
The good news is that heat pumps are suitable for nearly every home. However, to optimise their performance, you may need to take a few preparatory steps, such as enhancing your home’s energy efficiency.
The more energy-efficient your home, the more effective and economical a heat pump will be. Heat pumps are designed to maintain a steady temperature, unlike gas boilers, which provide short bursts of heat.
What are the insulation requirements?
Determine if your home is properly insulated, as insulation helps retain heat and prevent energy loss. A well-insulated home will make the heat pump more economical to run.
Insulation reduces the amount of power consumed by the heat pump but it also reduces the amount of useful heat being consumed because the insulated house will contain the heat.
Newer, modern homes are generally more thermally efficient, requiring less energy to stay warm. Older homes, however, can be drafty and less insulated, allowing heat to escape through walls, ceilings, and floors.
If this describes your home, don’t worry. Here are some simple tips to save energy and get your home 'heat pump ready':
- Install loft, floor, and/or wall insulation, if required.
- Draught-proof windows and doors to prevent heat loss.
- Seal any gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and sockets.
- Install double glazing if you don’t already have it.
How much outdoor space do you need for the different types?
Air source heat pumps are often rectangular in shape and size-wise, approximately 1.25m in length, 700 cm high, and 40cm wide. It’s important to note that adequate space around the unit is essential for proper air circulation. Spacing is required for servicing and maintenance and in accordance with the manufactures instillation guidelines.
Most modern heat pumps can be installed under a window sill as these will be under 1m high.
Properties with limited outdoor space might need to explore wall-mounted or rooftop options. With the adequate accessories which are supplied by manufacturers, a heat pump can be installed on the wall.
Ground source heat pumps can require substantial outside space for laying pipes in the ground so may not be suitable for homes with limited outdoor areas. Option with vertical boreholes dug in the ground is possible however it is costly.
Are there any issues regarding boundaries e.g. how close can a heat pump be cited to a neighbour?
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), an accreditation body, stipulates that a heat pump must be located at least one metre away from a neighbour’s door or window Moreover, MCS recommends a thorough process to ensure that the noise assessment is carried out before the heat pump is installed.
Does the type of house (eg detached, flat? have an impact? If so, what type, why, and are there alternative solutions?
Properties with limited outdoor space might need to explore wall-mounted or rooftop options. As you’d expect, properties with less insulation and hence a higher heat loss will require more powerful heat pumps.
Note: A larger and more insulated property may require smaller heat compared to a much smaller but less insulated property. It is not the size but the insulation level which affects the heat requirement.
Do old homes meet the requirements?
For older buildings, energy efficiency upgrades—such as loft and wall insulation, or replacing old radiators with larger models and underfloor heating—may be necessary to address the challenges of installing a heat pump.
Alternatively, In older homes with traditional radiators, a high-temperature heat pump may be necessary to maintain warmth, and it will still be much more energy-efficient than a fossil fuel boiler.
Does the EPC rating matter?
There's no minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating to qualify for installing a heat pump. However a more insulated property will retain heat for a longer period and therefore could help reduce energy bills.
Do you need extra indoor space? If yes, what for and how much?
Regardless of the housing type, there will need to be indoor space for a hot water tank, typically In the airing cupboard, utility room, loft or where old boiler was located.
Is there anything else you need to consider about your house if you're thinking of a heat pump?
For modern, new-build homes with underfloor heating or modern radiators, a low-temperature heat pump is likely a good choice. This will provide low-cost heating and significantly reduce your carbon emissions.
For homes with gas heating and a combi boiler, a hybrid heat pump might be the best solution. A hybrid heat pump combines a gas boiler and a low-carbon heat pump, offering a positive change for homeowners looking to transition to more sustainable heating. Another benefit of a Hybrid heat pump is that it doesn’t require tank and can be used with the existing radiators.
What’s more, installing environmentally friendly heating and energy solutions in your property makes it more attractive to buyers and can increase its value. According to Rightmove, a property moving from an EPC rating of F to a C could increase its value by an average of 15%, or almost £56,267 when looking at the national average asking price.
The energy-saving benefits of heat pumps over fossil fuel-based heating systems make them a smart choice for future homes. Providing a sustainable, energy-efficient, and comfortable way to heat your home, heat pumps are beneficial for the environment and a worthwhile investment too.
Are air source heat pumps noisy?
What is the actual noise level?
Daikin’s quietest heat pump model is the Daikin Altherma HHT, which operates at just 53 decibels. It’s so quiet that it’s been awarded Quiet Mark certification by the awarding body for quiet technology. We’ve made a few design improvements to make it so quiet, including a sound jacket around the compressor, rubber feet, and an improved low-sound fan. We’ve also added a front grille to hide the fan – something we call a psychological silencer.
What is this comparable to?
53 decibels is quieter than an electric toothbrush. It’s around the same noise level as a washing machine [is it a good comparison as washing m could be noisy during spin cycle] or dishwasher. And remember, it’s outside your home, so the noise level is even less intrusive.
Does it vary on different models? E.g. low temp vs high temp?
Heat pump noise levels do vary according to the different models. However, the main reason for noise variations is incorrect specifications. For example, if a house requires a certain size heat pump but has only been installed with an undersized model, then the heat pump will have to work much harder to maintain the temperature inside. This will make it operate more loudly than it should. That’s why you should always choose a qualified expert to specify and install your heat pump.
Are there ways of reducing it?
Yes, technology is coming on in leaps and bounds. The Daikin Altherma HHT has a sound jacket around the compressor and an improved fan design to reduce sound levels. Plus, most Daikin heat pump models offer a ‘low sound mode’. This will set the heat pump to run at a lower fan and compressor frequency in a noise-sensitive area. However, it is important to note that the heat pump won’t offer such high capacity in this mode. This must be taken into account from the outset when specifying the heat pump which would operate in low sound mode.
Could the noise be an issue for neighbours?
Considering how quietly they run, it’s very unlikely that a heat pump will cause a noise disturbance for neighbours. For additional peace of mind, it’s good to know that MCS standards and guidance (such as MCS 020) are in place to ensure heat pumps don’t exceed standardised noise levels.
Are heat pumps suitable for old homes?
Heat pumps are suitable for virtually any property. They’re ideal for homes of all shapes and sizes, whether newly built or older. While it can be easier to plan a heat pump installation into a new build, there’s absolutely no reason why they can’t be installed in older houses or renovation projects.
The amount of work needed to install a heat pump will depend on your existing heating system. Your installer will be able to tell you what modifications need to be made. Some pipes may need to change and some radiators may require upsizing.
Daikin’s approach is fabric first. We always advise putting in cavity walls and loft insulation before installing a heat pump. As heat pumps are designed to keep your home at a steady temperature, it’s important to make sure your home is well insulated to get the most efficient results. But when you get down to basics, a heat pump can heat any house, even a tin shed.
At Daikin, we recommend air-source heat pumps for a wide variety of UK homes, including period properties. Our innovative design means they’re simple to install, with no expensive groundwork, and in most cases, no planning permission is required.
And don’t forget about the possibilities of hybrid heat pumps. A hybrid heat pump is a heating system that combines an air-source heat pump with a boiler. It uses a combination of gas for the boiler and electricity for the heat pump to provide the home with heating and hot water. The electric heat pump provides heating, while the gas boiler produces hot water and additional heating when required. And the system will switch between the two automatically to reflect your household’s needs. Due to the boiler being a combination type, there won't be any need for the hot water tank.
If you’ve been struggling with the ‘either-or’ decision of heat pumps versus gas boilers, hybrid is the answer. It means you can keep your gas boiler, but it still allows you to future-proof your home against gas price increases. And, you’ll not only save on your energy bills, but you’ll also reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. What’s more, is that you will also save on not having to install a hot water tank as the hybrid will provide instant hot water.
How to maintain a heat pump
A heat pump doesn’t require a lot of maintenance for the homeowner.
Periodically, we advise you to check the outside unit to ensure the outdoor coil is free of debris and that nothing is obstructing the fan's airflow. You should also avoid leaving anything on top of the heat pump, as heavy items can dent the top and make it hard to open.
Look at the hoses that stick out the back of the heat pump, and ensure there aren’t any kinks or bends and you don’t have anything heavy resting on them, like a bicycle, for example. If you see a leak, you should arrange for the unit to be inspected by a competent heat pump engineer.
For the indoor unit, it’s a good idea to check it periodically for leaks and make sure that the pressure is correct.
What maintenance schedule do you recommend?
We recommend homeowners carry out a quick overall check of the system as we head into the winter season. This includes inspecting for damage, clearing the condensation drain and airflow, giving it a test run and checking for any radiator leaks. It’s also a good idea to book in your annual service before the winter sets in. You want to be confident that your heating system is working at maximum efficiency during the cold weather.
How often does it need a professional service and who needs to do this?
We recommend annual maintenance by a qualified heat pump engineer to maintain the warranty.
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