Top Tips For Winter Proofing Your Home As the temperatures drop and the days grow…

Air Source Heat Pumps - How Do They Actually Work?
We have talked extensively about air source heat pumps and we still maintain our belief that they are one of the future technologies that you need to consider. Sure, the technology is around now but if you need to consider a new boiler in the future then we would recommend heat pumps. After all, they provide a cost-effective alternative to gas boilers while they are much better for the environment.
Sure, they cost a lot more than traditional boilers but there are incentives available for you to take advantage of and that is something worth considering right now. With incentives that pay you and grants available, you might want to think about making a switch sooner rather than later. However, if you are someone who has already looked into sustainable heating solutions then you are certain to have heard of air source heat pumps. Despite this, have you ever wondered how air source heat pumps work?
In fact, many of us cannot get our heads around how this technology works and how a [ump can take heat from the air and then use it to warm our homes. Especially when many people say that air source heat pumps cannot be used when temperatures are below zero. So all of this might sound a little strange but what is the technology behind it?
How Do They Work?
Any form of air that has a temperature above zero will contain energy in the form of heat. What this means is that heat pumps can use this energy to heat a refrigerant, which is a liquid that has a very low boiling point, that is located in an evaporator. This refrigerant then absorbs the heat from the air and then evaporates, which means that it turns into a gas. This is then passed through a compressor that increases the pressure and temperature. From the compressore, the gaseous refrigerant will then pass through a condenser. In the condenser, the refrigerant is condensed from gas and back to a liquid and this then gives off heat. In a system that is air to water, the heat will then be transferred to the water which can then be used to heat radiators or underfloor heating among other things.
With the energy released and placed back into a liquid state, the refrigerant is then passed through an expansion valve and that lowers the pressure further which in turn lowers the temperature. The refrigerant is then returned to the evaporator where it can then absorb the heat from the outside again. Both the evaporator and the condenser are heat exchangers. The evaporator makes contact with the air outside and then absorbs heat from it and the condenser, which is in contact with water, will then transfer heat to it.
If you choose to use an air source heat pump to heat your home and your hot water then you will need to have a unit that is located outside your property. What you will notice about this is that it has a large, quiet fan system that draws in air and blows back the cooler air with some of the heat being removed from the air and transferred to the refrigerant. There is then a double pipe that links the air source heat pump to the house. One pipe is used to carry the heated refrigerant and the other is cool as it returns the refrigerant to the pump while there is also an electricity supply fitted to the pump.
If your air source heat pump is correctly installed then it will deliver heat to your home all year round as well as hot water. This will enable you to make significant savings on your heating and energy bills while you will also be helping to reduce your carbon footprint.
The right system will be designed to fit your specific home and that can see systems starting at a price of around £4,000 although the savings you will make on your energy consumption and your bills will make this an attractive option.
Furthermore, you will also be able to take advantage of the Renewable Heat Incentive and that enables you to receive payments from the government for the energy that you produce using your system. However, should you consider this kind of system, it is advised that you use an installation expert that comes under the scheme and is qualified to undertake all aspects of work.

Homeowners are still able to get a FREE boiler grant or insulation grant via the ECO scheme, which is still available to households that qualify. Warma UK are currently working throughout the UK helping privately owned and rented homes to improve home energy efficiency and save money on rising energy bills.
For more information email – hello@warmauk.com
Or call 03304600065