AIR SOURCE HEATING SYSTEM

Air conditioners and air source heating systems are becoming popular choices for homes and businesses. Both systems have essentially the same technology and provide cooling for a property, but an air source heat pump can also reverse the process and provide heating. If you’re not sure which system is right for you, we will talk you through both systems and provide advice to help you choose the best solution for your home or business.

Air Source Heat Pumps vs. Air Conditioners

An air conditioner works purely as a cooling system that moves heat and humidity from an enclosed space to the outside. Air conditioning uses a refrigerant that flows through a closed loop and continually evaporates and condenses to transfer heat. The indoor unit consists of an evaporator coil, while the outdoor unit contains a condenser, compressor and fan. The heat inside is transferred through the coils and then dispersed outdoors through the exterior unit’s fan.

An air source heat pump transfers heat from one space to another; for example, from the inside of a building to the outside, or vice versa, depending on the season and whether heating or cooling is required.

Air to air heat pumps work in a similar way to air conditioners, using refrigerant that evaporates and condenses to transfer heat from the inside to the outside. The difference is that this process can be reversed, which changes the direction of the refrigerant through the coils. Heat pumps can collect heat from the outside, even during the winter months, and will transfer it indoors to heat the property.

BENEFITS OF AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

When compared to air conditioners, air to air source heat pumps offer great benefits, which are mainly related to the fact that heat pumps both cool and heat a room.

These benefits include:

Air-to-air heat pumps produce cooling and heating via one system.
No other source of fuel is needed with air-to-air heat pumps, which may help to reduce your energy bill. A heat pump takes thermal energy from the environment, and only consumes enough energy required to operate the unit. As an example, an air to air (aerothermal) heat pump will produce 4 kW of thermal energy whilst consuming only 1 kW of electricity; the remaining 3kW comes from the environment for free.
In addition to using renewable energy sources, heat pumps help to reduce indirect CO2 emissions due to their efficient performance.
Heat pumps are safer as there are no dangerous exhaust fumes to worry about.

Is an air source heat pump right for my home or business?

Air source heat pumps are suitable for many types of homes and businesses and are becoming extremely popular. However, there are a number of factors to consider before deciding if an air source heat pump installation is right for you.

Location – Do you have somewhere to put the heat pump? You will need a place outside of the building, where the unit can be mounted either to the ground or wall. It will also need space around it for air flow.

Noise – Heat pumps are generally very quiet, unless the unit is required to work very hard to reach temperature. Generally, the noise level will be similar to that of a fridge or gas boiler. Most of our client says that they don’t notice the noise at all!

Insulation - Air source heat pumps are highly energy efficient, but to get the best out of the system, your building will need to be able to retain high amounts of heat, usually through good insulation.

If you are considering an air source heat pump installation for your home or business, get in touch with us today.

How Cool Runnings Can Help

We are your local aircon service company and will keep your aircon system running efficiently and effectively throughout the year.

Not only will we help you to save costs and stay comfortable in your home or business, but our annual inspection and servicing will help your business avoid costly fines.

Got a problem? Our accredited engineers are always on hand whether you need a maintenance check or a repair. Contact us today to discuss your servicing and maintenance needs.

Frequently asked questions

What areas do you cover?

We cover Norfolk and Suffolk.
What size Air Conditioning unit do I need?

This all depends on the space that you want to heat/cool. Please contact us and one of our engineers will visit your location to assess your requirements and suggest the best solution.
What do I get with an Air Conditioning system?

You will receive an indoor and outdoor unit. The outdoor unit (the condenser) can either be hung on the wall or placed on the floor.
Do I have to get my Air Conditioning unit serviced?

We suggest getting your Air Conditioning units serviced every year as this will keep your units running smoothly. Contact us to book your service today!
Where does the outdoor condenser get installed?

The condenser can be either wall mounted or placed on the floor. We suggest having at least 1m spacing around the unit for optimal airflow.
For maximum cooling, when should I turn on start the air conditioner?

From sunrise, the sun will immediately begin warming the brickwork in your building. You should therefore start the air conditioner approximately 2 hours before the sun begins to shine into the room. This will help to remove the heat from the brickwork, so when the sun also shines into the room, the unit is not struggling to remove heat from both the sun and from the brickwork.
How do I care for my air conditioner?

Air conditioners should be considered for regular maintenance in the same way that you would service a boiler or heating system. A regularly used aircon unit should be serviced annually, but a rarely used unit can be serviced less often. At Cool Runnings we offer a full maintenance service. Regular servicing helps to prevent your unit breaking down, whilst keeping it at peak efficiency and reduces the energy cost of running the unit, whilst also increasing its life.
Why is it important to service your air conditioning units regularly?

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How can I reduce the running costs of my air conditioning units?

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