Caplor Energy works closely with a trusted partner – Heating Maintenance Services – to deliver heat pump installations. The pages in this part of the site should give you a good idea of what’s involved and if you’d like to explore this further then simply call us and we’ll set the wheels in motion.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is an extremely efficient way of supplying the heating and hot water needs of your household. Not only this, but in many cases it can also reduce your annual fuel bill and CO2 emissions as well.
Nearly everybody has used a microwave at some point in their lives. It operates on the simple principle that energy, in the form of waves, can be passed on to the molecules present in whatever you are trying to heat. The sun emits waves at a range of different frequencies, all of which carry energy. When these waves reach the earth their energy is passed to the molecules present in the soil and in the air. A heat pump extracts this energy and converts it into a form suitable for heating your home.
Flow cycle of heat pump
There are many parts to the heat pump cycle:
- Fluid, contained in pipes, is circulated and used to capture the heat energy present in the soil or air;
- These pipes run through a tank and heat the water inside;
- This hot water is then used to heat your home and supply your hot water needs.
A heat pump is an efficient means of heating your home because, for every kWh of electrical energy you supply, it produces up to 4 kWh of heat. The ratio of the heat produced to the energy supplied is known as the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of a device. For example, in comparison, the COP of an electric heating system is, at maximum, 1:1.
Why buy a heat pump?
Currently, in the UK, domestic heating accounts for around 30% of all carbon emissions. Further, with the price of fuel having trebled since privatisation, there is now a growing need for a heating system that is both extremely efficient and more carbon friendly than its predecessors.
As a microgeneration technology, heat pumps are also included in the Governments new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). This scheme pays owners of such technology a fixed yearly amount based on the heat output of the system that is installed.
In an appropriate property a heat pump can supply up to 75% of the space and hot water needs of the household. The remaining 25% is, in most cases, made up by an immersion heater. A common misconception is that these two systems are independent when, in reality, they will work symbiotically without any need for outside input. This makes a heat pump based system an extremely hassle free alternative, especially in comparison to an oil, wood or coal based system.
Is a heat pump suitable for my home?
Heat pumps come in two main systems, air-source and ground-source. Which is most suited to you will depend largely on your situation and the type of household you have. However, households who meet a number of the following criteria will enjoy the most benefit from the installation of a heat pump:
- Off the gas grid.
- Well insulated or damp.
- Currently using oil, LPG or electricity for its heating needs.
- Has underfloor heating or oversized radiators.
