There are many benefits to heating and cooling your home with air source heat pumps. Here are some of the most important ones:

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ASHPs are efficient

Air source heat pumps have higher efficiencies than other heating and cooling technologies; you typically use less fuel to heat or cool your home with ASHPs than you would with more conventional technologies. Over time, consuming less energy can help you reduce your environmental impact and energy bills.

Many heating and cooling technologies run on fossil fuel or electricity produced from burning fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. When you reduce your property's fuel consumption, you're helping to decrease carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and reduce your carbon footprint.

ASHPs usually help you save on your overall utility bills

Additionally, using less fuel helps you save on your overall energy costs. The amount you can save depends on several factors, including your existing heating or cooling source, where you live, and the fuel cost in your area. According to research from the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), homeowners who switch to air source heat pumps in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions save roughly $459 annually compared to electric resistance heaters and $948 annually compared to oil furnaces.

ASHPs have some health and wellness benefits

Have you ever been distracted by a noisy furnace? Air source heat pumps operate relatively quietly compared to other heating and cooling technologies, mainly if you're using ductless mini splits.

Just how quiet are they? Sound is typically measured in decibels (dB): the lower the decibel rating, the softer the sound. Dishwashers and AC units usually run at around 60 dB; in comparison, many air source heat pumps operate at 40 to 60 dB. Remember that most of this noise comes from the outdoor unit of air source heat pumps; if you install ductless mini splits inside your building, they typically only make between 20 to 40 dB of noise, which is near the sound rating of a whisper.

In addition to increased comfortability from noise benefits, air source heat pumps help improve air quality through air filtration and reduce allergens in the air while heating and cooling your home. They also help to dehumidify your environment, making your living spaces more comfortable.

ASHPs combine heating and cooling systems into one

When you install an air source heat pump, you benefit from the heater and air conditioner in one. This means you can usually reduce the costs and time associated with installing two different systems that serve separate purposes and lessen the amount of physical space required for two individual technologies.

ASHPs let you heat and cool your home in zones

Another benefit of using air source heat pumps is that you can heat or cool a specific room or zone in your home to a certain temperature. This is particularly useful if you experience persistently colder or warmer areas in their home that they want to regulate. Alternatively, saving energy and money is also helpful by keeping different areas of your home at different temperature settings. For example, if you have a multi-zone air source heat pump, you may keep bedroom areas cool at night during the summer but have a higher temperature setting in areas you aren't using, so you're not paying to cool those other rooms.

While there are benefits to using ASHPs, this technology isn't the best heating or cooling solution for every home. Here are some of the disadvantages of air source heat pumps:

ASHPs can cost more upfront than other conventional HVAC technologies

If you're looking for the lowest upfront cost while shopping for a heating and cooling solution, air source heat pumps likely won't be it.

The cost of installing air source heat pumps depends on several factors, including equipment quality, installation complexity, the type of system (ducted vs. ductless), and your home's size and layout. Including both equipment and labor, central air source heat pump installations typically cost between $12,000 and $20,000, while ductless systems cost around $3,500 to $5,000 for each indoor unit installed. On the other hand, gas, electric, and oil furnaces typically cost less than $5,000 to install.

To truly compare the cost of installing air source heat pumps with other alternatives, you'll need to measure against the combined cost of installing a heating and cooling system.

Increased electric bills

While air source heat pumps use less energy and can help many property owners save on heating bills, this isn't true for everyone. Remember, air source heat pumps require electricity to operate. This means that even if you use less energy to heat your home with air source heat pumps, you may spend more money on utility bills overall if the cost of electricity in your area is significantly higher than the fuel you'd otherwise heat your home with.

Notably, air source heat pumps will likely save you money if you run your home on oil or propane, but you may initially spend more money heating your home with air source heat pumps if you'd otherwise use natural gas.

ASHPs are susceptible to power outages

Air source heat pumps need electricity to operate, so you can't run them during grid outages when you lose power. However, it's worth noting that even heating technologies that primarily run on gas (like furnaces or boilers) require electricity, even if only minimal amounts.

If you experience frequent power outages, one way to increase the resiliency of your home is to install a solar-plus-storage system. That way, you can use solar electricity previously stored in your battery to power appliances (like air source heat pumps) if there is an outage.

The pros and cons of air source heat pumps

• Owning an air source heat pump could cut your emissions by 44% per year
• An air source heat pump’s efficiency rating typically reaches 300%
• Heat pumps aren’t 100% emission free

In the UK, there was a 63% increase in heat pump sales last year. This is largely driven by the government’s goal to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by .

But are they worth the investment?

In this article, we set out to answer exactly that. We’ll outline both the advantages and disadvantages to air source heat pumps. We’ll also explore which properties they’re right for and who might benefit the most from them.

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An air source heat pump can reduce your carbon footprint and lower your bills.

What are the advantages of air source heat pumps?

There are many advantages to air source heat pumps, such as the fact that they are environmentally friendly, highly energy efficient, and have a long lifespan.

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These include:

• Environmentally friendly: Air source heat pumps extract heat from the air outside, and then use this heat to warm up your home and provide hot water. Heat pumps run on electricity, which is much more environmentally friendly. According to the latest figures, almost half of the UK’s electricity generation came from renewable sources. The typical air source heat pump owner could cut their emissions by 70.5% per year, according to data from the Energy Saving Trust and the government (see chart below).
• Low maintenance: The main thing you’ll need to do to make sure your heat pump stays in tip-top shape is to keep it clean. This usually includes wiping down the coils, replacing the filters every few months, removing any dirt from the internal fan blades, and cleaning the registers. You’ll also want to make sure there’s nothing obstructing your heat pump. The unit has to be placed outside, which means some items – such as grass, plants, twigs, and other foliage – can end up obstructing airflow to the air source heat pump.
• Efficient models: An air source heat pump’s efficiency rating typically reaches 300% – though the best models can reach even higher rates. This means an air source heat pump can produce three units of energy for every unit of electricity it absorbs, on average.
• They’re safe: Heat pumps are safer than combustion-based heating systems, since they don’t need to burn fuel to generate heat. Although you’ll need to have an annual service check on your air source heat pump, this isn’t to check the safety of the unit – it’s a requirement to maintain a manufacturer’s warranty.
• Long lifespan: A well-installed air source heat pump system can last for at least 20 years. But of course, this will depend on how well you look after your heat pump. With a bit of TLC, you can reap the rewards of low-carbon heating for decades to come.
• Works in conjunction with your solar panels: If you’re thinking of getting solar panels on your roof – or you already have a set – you’ll be able to pair the solar panels with your heat pump. Most properties won’t be able to fully power a heat pump with solar energy, since doing this would require more solar panels  than the average property can fit on its roof. For example, the average three-bedroom house could fit around 10 350W solar panels on its roof, but these would only meet a maximum of 90% of a heat pump’s energy needs.
• Minimal noise: Heat pumps make about as much noise as a refrigerator – and you shouldn’t be able to hear the sound from indoors (your heat pump will go outside).
• Can both heat and cool your home: Some air source heat pump models, called air-to-air heat pumps, can actually be used for cooling purposes too. In the summer months, it can act just like a standard air conditioner, using a refrigerant to cool outside hot air and transfer it inside your home. To have an air-to-air heat pump though, you would have to switch from a ‘wet heat’ system – the kind that sends hot water into radiators – to a ‘dry heat’ system that sends cold or hot air through ducts in the walls.
• Ease of use: Luis, an Octopus Energy customer and Cosy heat pump owner, said: “I can control it from anywhere as long as I have my . Setting schedules for both heating and hot water took a little bit of getting used to, but once we got the settings right it’s been smooth sailing.”

What are the disadvantages to air source heat pumps?

Air source heat pumps do have some disadvantages to them. They’re more expensive than gas boilers for one, both in terms of set up costs and running costs, and even though they’re low-carbon, they don’t run on 100% green electricity.

Here’s a full rundown:

• They can be more expensive to run: Heat pumps run on electricity, which is three times more expensive than gas – but due its efficiency of 300%, you’ll only have a slight increase in running costs. Check out our guide on how much air source heat pumps cost for more information.
• The upfront cost can be a challenge: Air source heat pumps cost around £10,000, but UK homeowners and landlords can benefit from The Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This offers £7,500 off the cost of the heat pump – and installers apply on your behalf.
• An air source heat pump isn’t suitable for every property: Although the government is pushing for heat pumps to become more common in the UK, it’s been estimated that 54% of UK homes aren’t suitable for them. Installing heat pumps for flats for example, can be tricky, but not impossible. To benefit the most from heat pumps, you’ll need the correct insulation, large radiators, have the right exterior space for one and have an interior space for the hot water cylinder.
• Heat pumps rely on electricity: Depending on which part of the world you are located in, a heat pump’s carbon footprint will fluctuate. This is because some countries produce electricity by burning fossil fuels, while others rely heavily on renewables.

Is it worth installing an air source heat pump?

Absolutely! Although electricity costs are higher on average, many energy suppliers offer tariffs specifically for low-carbon technology.

For example, Octopus Cosy offers heat pump users “super cheap rates, three times a day, every day”.

It is a three-rate tariff with triple dip Cosy Hours every day, offering eight hours of electric to warm your home. These periods are 4am-7am, 1pm-4pm and 10pm-12am. There is a peak rate between 4pm and 7pm, which is 50% above the day rate of your region.

Your current energy provider might already offer this, so it’s worth contacting them to determine what’s available and how much you can save.

One of Octopus’ customers, Chris, said: “I use the Octopus app daily to check the rates of the Agile tariff. This lets me charge my storage battery and heat my water to the max when it’s really cheap, or even get paid to do so. The same goes for heating the house.”

What grants are available for air source heat pumps?

Homeowners in England and Wales can get £7,500 off the cost of a new air source heat pump, thanks to the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The scheme started in and is operating on a “first-come, first-served basis,” with customers having to register their interest with air or ground source heat pump installers. Installers will then apply for the £7,500 grant on behalf of customers, and remove that amount from the heat pump’s price.

However, a maximum of just 90,000 homes will be able to take advantage of the grant over the next three years – so make sure you get a quote fast.

Homeowners in Wales can also get a free heat pump through the Nest Wales scheme, as long as they meet the following requirements:

• Own or privately rent your home
• Have an energy inefficient home that’s expensive to heat
• Receive a means-tested benefit or have a chronic health condition

Summary

• If the environment, efficiency, and safety are at the forefront of your mind when choosing your next heating system, heat pumps are a great option.
• On the other hand, if you’re worried about finances, heat pumps might not be right for you.
• Although electricity costs are higher on average, many energy suppliers offer tariffs specifically for low-carbon technology.
• Heat pumps are effective at temperatures as low as -25°C.
• Homeowners in England and Wales can get £7,500 off the cost of a new air source heat pump, thanks to the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
• If you’re ready to get a new heat pump, get the best deal by filling out this short form. Our expert heat pump suppliers will be in touch with free quotes shortly.

Written By

Beth has written for The Eco Experts for over three years, combining her journalistic skills with her knowledge of the environmental industry, garnering thousands of readers along the way.

With her articles covering a range of environmental topics – from solar panel suggestions to the future of green tech, environmental news to heat pump recommendations – Beth really does have the know-how when it comes to environmental living.

Since joining The Eco Experts team, her work has been featured in various publications, such as The BBC, Forbes, The Express, Greenpeace, and in multiple academic journals. She has also attended Grand Designs Live as a Green Living Expert, providing tailored advice to members of the public about heat pumps and solar panels.

Her level of expertise has grown vastly over the years, after delving deep into complex analysis pieces, such as The Most Polluting Industries, What Is Carbon Capture And Does It Actually Work?, and Is Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Gas?

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Tamara is a London-based journalist and has written about environmental topics for more than four years. This includes advising small business owners on cost-effective ways, like solar panels and energy-efficient products, to help them become more sustainable.

She has used her journalist and research skills to become highly knowledgeable on sustainable initiatives, issues, and solutions to help consumers do their bit for the environment – all while reducing monthly costs.

In addition to adopting sustainable practices in her personal life, Tamara has worked in the retail B2B space to help independent retailers think about their environmental choices and how they can help improve their business. She now uses this knowledge to help consumers do the same.

Her passion for sustainability and eco-friendly solutions stems from a long obsession with nature and animals and ensuring they feel looked after. In her free time, Tamara enjoys reading fantasy novels, visiting the gym, and going on long walks in new areas.

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