Heat Pump – Top Tips When Buying

The Energy Smart Group Has Over 10 Years Of Experience With all types of Heat Pump

Today we discuss an Air Source Heat Pump.

This blog has been created for people interested in getting an Air Source Heat Pump Installed. This is a MUST READ for anyone considering purchasing an Air Source Heat Pump.

Consumers are having issues with their Air Source Heat Pumps! However, these problems can be completely avoided by using an installer with knowledge and experience.

We thought we would share our experience to help answer some of the many questions regarding Air Source Heat Pumps & answer the big question does it really work? Will it be suitable for my property or project?

Horror Stories

There are many horror stories of Air Source Heat Pumps not working properly are doing the rounds on the internet about the running costs being astronomical & unaffordable.

Not to mention the property not reaching the desired temperature that understandably is causing all sorts of distress for customers.

If you are reading this & already have an Air Source Heat Pump installed & these problem’s sound familiar please get in touch as we can help.

Air source heat pumps are getting a lot of bad press because of the issues we have mentioned, it’s easy to blame the technology & point the finger at products but in more often than not it just isn’t the case!

If an Air Source Heat Pump is designed & installed correctly then the technology works faultlessly & with lower running costs than a modern Gas Boiler.

Heat Pump Problems Explained

Today we are going to explain why so often these problems happen & how to avoid them before they happen by dissecting the buying process & where things can go wrong when buying an Air Source Heat Pump.

Our aim is to help you avoid the problems.

To put it simply, an Air Source Heat Pump is a great product!

In fact, this technology is amazing & there are so many benefits to installing an Air Source Heat Pump system. Not just for your property and energy savings, but the environment with its low carbon emissions.

Typical steps for buying an Air Source Heat Pumps are pretty simple at first glance,

• You will either contact your builder or your architect.
  
• Search on google & the web.
  
• Contact a local plumbing company.
  
• Receive a quote.
  
• Finally consider your options and buy?

Seems straight-forward right?

Well, not when it comes purchasing a Renewable Technology especially an Air Source Heat Pump. In most cases other types of heating systems you can get away with this approach.

So what’s different?

Our advice to you:

Find an Air Source Heat Pump Installer with experience and knowledge, that specialises in renewable energy systems. For example, here at The Energy Smart Group, we have been installing Air Source Heat Pumps since 2009.

You also want to check that the installer you choose is MCS Accredited (Micro-generation Certification Scheme). This accreditation ensures the installer is meeting product and installation industry standards. This also enables you access to government incentives, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which is running until 2025.

Ensure that your installer is surveying your property and demand a proper Heat Loss Calculation. Make sure that the Air Source Heat Pump is the correct size for your Heat Loss Calculation. A Heat Loss Calculation should include all rooms in the property being measured, including windows, doors and existing radiators etc.
Don’t settle for rough estimates—proper calculations are critical to ensure your system is correctly sized for your home.

When receiving a quotation, be mindful of seemingly cheap estimates. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t! Lowball estimates are a result of not doing the proper design work, and can lead to significant costs in the future due to poor system performance.

Speak To The Experts In Heat Pumps

Our advice is to always speak to an experienced & MCS certified renewable energy company, not someone who just dabbles in it.

We often see builders recommending their current heating contractors to undertake the job.

Obviously they don’t want to lose out, so they will complete the installation, unaware of the potential damage & problems it may cause.

These are the issues it could cause…

• Non or incorrect Heat loss calculation to the MCS standards that size the radiators & Air Source Heat Pump properly.

• Losing out on government incentives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (£7,500 Grant!).

• Inadequate training to properly set up the controller & wiring.

• Understanding the relationship between the emitters & Air Source Heat Pumps is important.

• often either the radiators will be undersized or the spacing of the underfloor heating pipes aren’t adequate.

• Handing over the system to the customer is key & without the correct training & qualifications this will be impossible to do., leaving you clueless of how to operate the system!
  

Heat Pump – Google Search & Web Research

If you decide to search on google & the web, you must know what to search for to gain the correct information.

A great place to start is the MCS Installer database or the micro certification scheme website, this really should be the first place you look to find qualified local installation companies.

https://www.microgenerationcertification.org/consumers/installer-search/

These companies will be delighted to help & give you key information about expected running costs & any incentives available.

Get a quote once you’re sure the company is MCS accredited & their staff has the proper training.

Sometimes, a sales person isn’t always the best person to be giving you advice on which Air Source Heat Pump is right for you.

Spotting The Companies To Avoid

Recently we’ve come across some companies without MCS accreditation & are actively selling Air Source Heat Pumps.

Commonly you will receive a false sales pitch of what you can claim through the incentives available.

It’s scary how many unrealistic expectations of the running costs & savings against your old boiler we see.

Further more, these companies have very little knowledge of system design or how to complete a proper heat loss calculation.

Always avoid these types of companies as it will save you problems in the long run. Companies like this are difficult to spot because they act purely as a sales company. This type of company will use approved MCS accredited installers for the install work.

Subcontracting the job to an MCS approved installer who may be a great installer but won’t be giving you the support & important information you need about the Air Source Heat Pump system.

Often if the deal & information sounds too good to be true it usually is.

Always Check Who Your Dealing With

Above everything else, please ensure the company you deal with is the same company issuing the figures, the warranties & the MCS certification.

There should only ever be one company selling, designing, quoting, installing & certifying your installation, never two.

You need a company that can provide a full heating design, including hot water usage, full room by room heat loss calculation, followed by some facts and figures of running costs and warranty information.

Quotes For Your Heat Pump

Get all your quotes together, and we recommend you always get a few. Be warned, you will receive lots of information due to the MCS standards.

Sizing any Air Source Heat Pump & the expected returns can vary depending on the level of effort done at quotation stage.

Its a big risk estimating the returns you will receive from the renewable Heat Incentive.

A new Energy Performance Certificate will confirm the payments you will receive. A valid EPC (energy performance certificate) will confirm the exact figures you will receive before the system is installed is very important.

https://www.theenergysmartgroup.co.uk/installing-quality-air-source-heat-pumps-at-affordable-prices/

Some installers will estimate the size of the Air Source Heat Pump & give vague estimates on your heat loss.

It should be obvious when you haven’t received the full package because it will be clear they have put very little effort in at this stage.

It’s best to be cautious proceeding with a company like this even if the quote is cheaper, sometimes cheaper isn’t always better.

Other than the installation itself the heat loss is one of the most important parts of the whole process.

Without this stage completed properly you cannot know if the radiators are sufficient to do the job.

Knowing if the Air Source Heat Pump will work right & the running costs are accurate is so important.

If you estimate the heat loss or size of your Air Source Heat Pump, you’ll end up having to replace it.  
 

Make sure you get the following when considering your options to buy a Heat Pump:

• Quotation’s should detail full heat loss calculation & estimated running costs at the designed room temperature.
• You should be made aware of potential savings.
• Room by room calculations with any upgrades to radiators.
• Furthermore, a new energy performance certificate should be arranged to show your expected RHI payments.
• Full breakdown quotation clearly showing system alterations & any radiator upgrades required.
• Information of the independent warranty offered (usually HIES), with deposit protection & workmanship warranty included.
• Finally, full details of the Air Source Heat Pump quoted & the details of the warranties listed in it.

We hope the information was useful & it helped you decide if an Air Source Heat Pump is the right choice of Renewable Technology for you.

Hopefully you can avoid the companies that aren’t in the industry for the right reasons.

Offering free advice on Air Source Heat Pump’s.

Get in touch because one of our team will be happy to help.