What to consider when investing in a heat pump
Here’s what you need to consider before making your home more energy efficient with an air-to-water, ground source or hybrid heat pump.
So you’ve decided to upgrade your heating system and invest in a heat pump. There’s a lot to consider, but the good news is that once the heat pump is installed, you can rest easy for the next 15 years. Here’s what you need to consider before making your home more energy efficient with an air-to-water, ground source or hybrid heat pump.
Compatibility with existing system
One of the biggest advantages of heat pumps is their flexibility in terms of compatibility and connecting with emitters. If your home has radiators, whether it's a new house or an older one, you can easily connect heat pumps without additional building work.
Now is an excellent time to decide which emitters you want to keep, add or replace.
With heat pumps and their emitter combinations, you can get more out of your system. You can cool, by using heat pump convectors. Domestic hot water will also be provided via the heat pump. If you already have a hot water tank, and want to keep it, you can have a wall-mounted heat pump indoor unit installed, that can connect to your existing hot water tank.
Insulation and heat loss
Insulation and heat loss matter when you're upgrading your heating system. Proper insulation will boost a heat pump’s efficiency and positively impact running costs. Older properties tend to not have great insulation. Get your home properly insulated to maximise the efficiency of your heat pump. Your installer will visit and advise you, or you can consult an insulation expert.
Installation costs
The installation cost depends on the type of heat pump chosen, the installation of an air-to-water heat pump is generally cheaper than a ground source heat pump as this last one requires additional drilling of bore holes. The distance between the location of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit can also influence the installation costs. A Daikin installer will advise you on these details.
Heat pump capacity and size
Getting the right capacity heat pump makes the difference between having one that works just as needed and one that is less efficient.
It will also affect your bills. If capacity is too low, the heat pump has to work much harder to handle the heating, cooling and hot water demands.
Your installer will determine the right capacity, based on factors such as:
square footage
- property age
- room type
- emitters
- outdoor temperature
- indoor temperature
- heat loss and insulation
Maintenance and service
- Heat pumps require less maintenance and servicing than fossil fuel systems.
- Correct service and maintenance ensure the heat pump keeps running smoothly.
- Have a maintenance check at least once a year. This includes cleaning filters, checking refrigerants and inspecting the heat exchanger.
- A Daikin installer offers warranty and service packages, which are included in our Stand By Me Offer.
Looking for more reasons to replace your existing system with a heat pump and make energy-saving home improvements?
Would you like more info on a heat pump during a renovation or other energy-saving tips? Get in touch and we’ll be happy to help!
