HEAT PUMPS
It is by now well known in the industry that the transition to clean heat requires the increased uptake of heat pumps. Yet in spite of this, misconceptions around the realities of living with a heat pump have played a part in slowing the adoption of the technology. MYTH ONE: ASHPS CAN’T KEEP HOMES WARM Heat from air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) can seem different than the heat from a traditional boiler system, though that doesn’t mean the home is any less warm. Due to the nature of the system, which works on a principle of lower temperatures for longer periods, homeowners tend to find their homes heated effectively and consistently. Fewer heat spots and draughts can result from ASHP heating, and easily- programmed heating schedules mean homeowners can use their smartphone app to customise their heating routines to their unique requirements. MYTH TWO: HEAT PUMPS WON’T WORK PROPERLY IN COLD WEATHER If we look to Nordic countries where Europe’s ASHP adoption has been at its highest and temperatures are some of the lowest, this is easily shown to be false. The air outside doesn’t have to be warm for a heat pump to heat a home. In fact, a Baxi ASHP can keep a home warm even when the outside temperature is as low as -20°C. BAXI STRATEGIC ACCOUNT MANAGER COREY GOODING DISPELS SOME OF THE MORE PERVASIVE MYTHS AND ADDRESSES COMMON MISPERCEPTIONS AROUND HEAT PUMPS… Myth buster: Four realities of heat pumps in homes
Baxi’s HP40 Monobloc air-source heat pump provides reliable, energy-efficient heating and hot water.
options and advantages of heat pumps with installers and heating engineers will help educate them and position the heating engineer as a trusted source of expertise. This can help engineers cultivate new business as homeowners increasingly recognise the economic and environmental benefits of having an ASHP installed. Installers can take advantage of training courses available to familiarise themselves with all things heat pumps. Baxi offers an extensive portfolio of training opportunities that cover ASHPs from initial design and application to installation guidance, commissioning and supervision support. To find out more about the training opportunities available, visit Baxi.co.uk for Northern Ireland and Baxi.ie for Republic of Ireland. For enquiries in Republic of Ireland, please contact Specification Sales Executive Ryan at Ryan.Sirt@baxi.co.uk “Easily-programmed heating schedules mean homeowners can use their smartphone app to customise their heating routines to their unique requirements.”
MYTH THREE: ASHPS ARE TOO NOISY ASHPs use a fan to circulate air around the outdoor unit and these fans do make a sound. However, with a well-installed modern unit such as a Baxi ASHP, it can actually be quieter than a traditional boiler.
Even in winter, when the ASHP is working at its hardest, the sounds
generated by a Baxi ASHP are unlikely to be intrusive if they’re even heard at all.
MYTH FOUR: ASHPS COST A LOT TO RUN The perception of high running costs is a barrier for many homeowners considering heat pumps, especially as the cost-of-living crisis has been impacting household bills for the past few years. The reality is that the energy needed to run an ASHP can be reduced in a similar way to boosting the efficiency of a traditional heating system. Improving the insulation and air tightness of a home helps prevent heat from escaping. Carrying out thorough heat loss calculations will identify any aspects of a home that should be addressed in order to maximise thermal efficiency.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INSTALLERS
Due to the above myths, some homeowners are understandably reluctant to make the leap to low- temperature heating. Discussing the
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