If you’re thinking about installing a heat pump in your home, you are most certainly not alone. Around Ireland, homeowners are looking at ways of investing in the energy efficiency of their homes by embracing new technologies, including heat pumps.
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Changing consumer behaviours are largely being driven by Government regulation. The Climate Action Plan has called for a 40% reduction in carbon emissions from Ireland’s residential sector by . Hundreds of thousands of households will need to be retrofitted to achieve a better BER (building energy rating) and it’s estimated that almost 90% of these retrofits will involve installing a heat pump.
All new builds, meanwhile, must comply with ever stricter building regulations which prioritise renewable energies and ultra-efficient heating systems, including heat pumps. All new builds must be highly insulated and require low temperature to heat the building – a key feature of heat pumps – with no combustion of fossil fuels to ensure better air quality in the home.
What is an air-to-water heat pump?
As with all new technologies, it’s best to start with the basics. A heat pump is an electrical device that takes heat from one place and transfers it to another place, in the most efficient and sustainable way. An air-to-water heat pump draws heat from the outside air (yes, even when it’s cold outside!) and uses it to provide heating and hot water inside the home.
Radiators work very well with heat pumps and are commonly used in both new builds and existing homes. Many heat pump customers are also opting for underfloor heating, this is mostly in new homes with tiled or modern floor finishes like polished concrete.
How does the technology work?
There are three essential components to an air-to-water heat pump: the outdoor unit, the indoor unit, and the refrigerant. Here’s how these components work together:
· The outdoor unit works as an evaporator, extracting energy from the outside air and absorbing it into the liquid refrigerant where it is transformed into gas.
· The indoor unit compresses the gas, which raises its temperature, then exchanges the heat from the gas into the heating system. The gas returns to a liquid state.
· The expansion valve lowers the pressure of the refrigerant, making it evaporate, and the cycle begins all over again.
Daikin air-to-water heat pumps are designed here in Europe so they are suitable for all European climates, including Ireland’s mild, moist and changeable weather, all year round. Furthermore, heat pumps are ideal both for new builds and retrofits, where, as mentioned, the technology will play a key role in helping Ireland achieve its climate targets.
What are the benefits of an air-to-water heat pump?
There are many different types of air-to-water heat pump systems, and we will look in more detail at the various options and configurations in one of our upcoming blogs, but broadly speaking, the benefits of installing a heat pump include increased energy efficiency, greater comfort, better air quality, and reduced carbon emissions.
To understand how these benefits are achieved, we must look at the ‘coefficient of performance’ (COP) of a heat pump. This term describes the amount of energy used to run the heat pump, and the corresponding amount of energy produced by that heat pump.
Daikin heat pumps can deliver a COP of up to 4.17, which means for every 1kW of electrical energy used, 4kW of useful energy is produced, which results in a net 3kW of useful energy being ‘free’ generated. Because the device is powered by 75% renewable energy (air) and only 25% electricity, a heat pump is the most cost-efficient and sustainable heating solution available today.
A heat pump can provide all the heating and hot water for a warm and comfortable home, 24 hours a day. Significantly more efficient than traditional boilers, heat pumps require only connection to the National Grid – there’s no fuel involved as an air source heat pump only needs outside air to operate!
How much does a heat pump cost?
As with all building or renovation work, there are many factors to consider when it comes to the overall cost of a heat pump. There is the price of the unit itself, and as we’ve mentioned, our Altherma range of air-to-water heat pumps includes a wide variety of models to suit all household needs.
If you are thinking about a heat pump, you must also think about additional features such as underfloor heating – a very popular add-on for many of our customers – while the size and configuration of your home will also come into play when estimating the cost of installing a heat pump.
Depending on the age of your home, you may need to boost your insulation levels to ensure your heat pump can operate at 100% efficiency. You can apply for up to €6,500 towards a heat pump investment including other energy upgrades as part of the SEAI Home Energy Grant.
Your local installer/contractor will work with you to assess your individual needs and provide you with a cost estimate – our network of Daikin-approved residential dealers is a good place to start your search.
Are heat pumps easy to install and maintain?
Installing an air source heat pump is relatively uncomplicated. You will first need to contact your local installer/contractor, who will manage the installation of the device.
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When it comes to installing your heat pump, there are specific considerations to take into account. Your house floor area and insulation levels will determine the size of the indoor unit, while the location of the outside unit (all ‘split’ air-to-water heat pumps include an outdoor unit) will depend on available space, drainage, access and other factors.
Going forward, your local installer will also be your first port of call when it comes to maintenance and servicing. They will explain how to get your heat pump running 100% efficiently and how to operate the controls for maximum performance, including via a dedicated app on your smartphone. You will also have your Daikin warranty and our acclaimed ‘Stand By Me’ customer support service for added peace of mind.
A smart new way of heating your home
Installing an air-to-water heat pump in your home is a big step towards more sustainable living, not to mention reduced energy and running costs. Adopting a heat pump requires a basic change in the way you manage your heating system: instead of switching your boiler on and off as needed, you set your thermostat to the required setting and simply let the heat pump turn itself on and off in order to maintain that temperature.
If you’d like to find out more about how air-to-water heat pumps work, what the benefits are, and whether your home is suitable for a heat pump, start with your local supplier/installer – they’ll be delighted to walk you through every aspect of the technology. You’ll also find lots more about our Altherma air-to-water heat pumps here.
Our team will be at SelfBuild Live this weekend (5-7 May )! Be sure to drop by our stand H19 with any questions you have, and come along to the Daikin Theatre to hear from a range of self-build experts.
Thinking about installing a heat pump for more sustainable living? Find out how a home energy grant can help reduce your energy costs and carbon emissions here.
An ENERGY STAR certified ASHP provides highly efficient heating and cooling by extracting heat from outside into your home in winter and pulling the heat out of your home in the summer. For some, it may be helpful to think of a ducted ASHP as a central air conditioner that also works in reverse to provide whole-house space heating in winter. The illustration demonstrates how ASHP works in both cold and warm seasons, doing double duty to keep your home comfortable no matter the temperature outside.
Ducted vs. Mini Split Systems
Ducted ASHP systems can be installed and connected to the conventional forced-air ductwork system that is typical of most American homes. A central ASHP can use pre-existing ductwork in your home to deliver heating and cooling, making installation even easier. In most climate zones, an ASHP can be installed as a drop-in replacement when either a central air conditioner or a furnace needs replacement.
If your home doesn’t have existing ductwork or you are planning an addition or renovation where running ductwork will be difficult, you can still install a heat pump to heat and cool a portion of your house. Mini Split Heat Pumps, also called Ductless Heat Pumps, do not need ductwork in order to be installed—instead they are mounted directly onto an interior wall or ceiling with an accompanying outdoor unit. To learn more about Mini Split Heat Pumps, visit www.energystar.gov/minisplit.
Additional Benefits of ASHPs:
- Lower energy bills by switching from electric resistance, propane, and oil to heat pumps.
- No combustion means better indoor air quality because there are no direct emissions such as NOx, carbon dioxide, or carbon monoxide.
- No fuel storage or risk of running out of fuel.
Proper Sizing
Installing properly sized HVAC equipment for your home is essential to getting the best performance and comfort. A system that is either too large or too small for its intended space will struggle to meet your home comfort needs. Your HVAC contractor can help determine what size system is right for your home. Your contractor should verify the proper size system for your home using a tool called "Manual J" – a calculation of the amount of heating and cooling your home requires to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Dual Fuel
If you have a relatively new furnace with an older central AC, or if you are planning to add a new central AC to the furnace, consider an ENERGY STAR certified heat pump. This creates a dual-fuel system for a modest extra cost over an AC system. Dual fuel systems allow for the flexibility of heating with a heat pump or with a more traditional gas or oil furnace and enables you to use each system optimally based on costs and environmental benefits.
Cold Climate Considerations
Many new ENERGY STAR certified ASHPs excel at providing space heating even in the coldest of climates, as they use advanced compressors and refrigerants that allow for improved low temperature performance. If you live in a climate where winter temperatures regularly dip below freezing, talk to your contractor to choose an ENERGY STAR unit suited to your particular home. When you ask your contractor for an ENERGY STAR certified cold climate ASHP, you can be confident that your new AHSP system will deliver the heating performance and efficiency benefits you expect on even the coldest winter days. A good contractor will work with you to determine the size and potential integration with a back-up heating system that will work best for your home.
Climate ASHP technology has improved significantly over the past several years, and many ASHP systems are capable of delivering heating capacity and efficiency at low outdoor temperatures. The ENERGY STAR certification requires third-party verified performance for low temperatures, testing ASHPs down to 5°F. Testing cold climate ASHP performance at 5°F ensures that your ASHP will provide all the heat you need to keep your home comfortable all winter. Your cold climate ASHP will continue working at temperatures below 5°F, but pairing it with a back-up energy source will heat your home the most efficiently when temperatures are even lower.
Take Advantage of Incentives
Air source heat pumps that earn the ENERGY STAR are eligible for a federal tax credit up to $2,000. This tax credit is effective for products purchased and installed between January 1, , and December 31, . Learn more at www.energystar.gov/taxcredits. Many utilities also offer incentives for installing ENERGY STAR certified ASHPs. Check with your local utility for more details or go to: www.energystar.gov/rebatefinder.
What else should I look for when buying an air-source heat pump?
If you've decided that you need to purchase a new air-source heat pump, learn how to hire a contractor. Remember, even though these products can be more expensive to purchase up front, the cost difference will be paid back over time through lower energy bills. Consider regular maintenance of your heating and cooling system to prevent future problems and unwanted costs. ASHPs are one of six high-impact improvements to your home that work together to deliver significant energy and cost savings. Learn more about additional improvements with the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade.
How to Find Certified Equipment
Be sure to look for the ENERGY STAR when shopping for an air-source heat pump. Use the ENERGY STAR Product Finder to help you identify high efficiency equipment that meets the latest ENERGY STAR certification criteria and then work with a professional installer to find the model that is right for you. ENERGY STAR offers tips on how to hire a contractor.
Air-source heat pumps originally qualified for the ENERGY STAR label in April, .
Current Requirements effective date: January 1,
Air-Source Heat Pumps and Central Air Conditioners Key Product Criteria: ENERGY STAR
Learn How a Product Earns the Label
For more All In One Heat Pumpinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
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