This is an article I was asked to write some time ago but is still valid
Get a free Government grant and help the Environment
…and reduce your energy bills.
You’re already using the technology to do this, you’ve got one at home and have probably had it for years. It sits in the background quietly doing its job and you don’t even think about it. It’s your fridge.
You may have heard about heat pumps which are essentially fridges but in reverse.
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) absorb heat from the outside air whilst Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP’s) absorb heat from the ground. An air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from its inside to keep your produce fresh. ASHP’s can function perfectly well in sub-zero temperatures as long as the system is designed and installed correctly. They can get heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as -20° C as is very common in Scandinavian countries where heat pumps are almost obligatory because of restrictions or bans on the use of fossil fuels.
The heat pump takes energy from the air or ground, boosting it to a high temperature to produce heat for radiators, underfloor heating systems, and hot water in your home.
The simplest way to think of them is as a super-efficient boiler with efficiencies as high as 500% as opposed to the good old oil or gas boiler which at best might be 90% efficient. What that means in practise is that a properly designed and installed heat pump will reduce your energy bills and cut your on-site emissions to zero. It is for this reason that the technology has a free, non-means tested Government grant known as the Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI). In many cases the grant will virtually cover the cost of a system while you reduce your energy costs and CO2 emissions. Be aware though that the RHI closes to new applicants in just over 12 months’ time so take advantage while you can. That said, after the RHI closes to new applicants something/s will take its place. New mains gas connections are already banned from 2025 (because of emissions concerns) and much sooner in some areas so heat pumps will become the default from of heating. Although heat pumps are electrically powered, an increasing amount of electricity comes from clean renewable energy sources. You can see the UK’s Electricity National Grid Demand and Output per Production Type at www.gridwatch.co.uk
Heat Pumps can also do something boilers can’t and that is to cool your home which is becoming increasingly important.
So, heating, cooling, lower energy bills and no emissions – what’s not to like.
Get a free Government grant and help the Environment
…and reduce your energy bills.
You’re already using the technology to do this, you’ve got one at home and have probably had it for years. It sits in the background quietly doing its job and you don’t even think about it. It’s your fridge.
You may have heard about heat pumps which are essentially fridges but in reverse.
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) absorb heat from the outside air whilst Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP’s) absorb heat from the ground. An air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from its inside to keep your produce fresh. ASHP’s can function perfectly well in sub-zero temperatures as long as the system is designed and installed correctly. They can get heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as -20° C as is very common in Scandinavian countries where heat pumps are almost obligatory because of restrictions or bans on the use of fossil fuels.
The heat pump takes energy from the air or ground, boosting it to a high temperature to produce heat for radiators, underfloor heating systems, and hot water in your home.
The simplest way to think of them is as a super-efficient boiler with efficiencies as high as 500% as opposed to the good old oil or gas boiler which at best might be 90% efficient. What that means in practise is that a properly designed and installed heat pump will reduce your energy bills and cut your on-site emissions to zero. It is for this reason that the technology has a free, non-means tested Government grant known as the Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI). In many cases the grant will virtually cover the cost of a system while you reduce your energy costs and CO2 emissions. Be aware though that the RHI closes to new applicants in just over 12 months’ time so take advantage while you can. That said, after the RHI closes to new applicants something/s will take its place. New mains gas connections are already banned from 2025 (because of emissions concerns) and much sooner in some areas so heat pumps will become the default from of heating. Although heat pumps are electrically powered, an increasing amount of electricity comes from clean renewable energy sources. You can see the UK’s Electricity National Grid Demand and Output per Production Type at www.gridwatch.co.uk
Heat Pumps can also do something boilers can’t and that is to cool your home which is becoming increasingly important.
So, heating, cooling, lower energy bills and no emissions – what’s not to like.