Do air source heat pumps work in the cold and during winter months?

Air source heat pumps or ASHPs have become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to their increased efficiency over traditional heating systems.

Here at Warma UK we have secured grants for thousands of homeowners across the UK to have ASHPs installed alongside the latest home insulation methods to keep that warmth inside.

Read on to learn all you need to know about ASHPs, or if you’re already aware of the huge benefits and cost savings ASHPs can give you, click below to see if you are eligible for a grant to cover the full cost of having one installed in your home.

See if you're eligible for a free energy upgrade

GET STARTED NOW

See if you're eligible for a free energy upgrade

GET STARTED NOW

When it comes to keeping your home cosy in those chilly winter months, you might wonder whether air source heat pumps (ASHPs) can handle the job. It seems a bit counterintuitive to think they can pull warmth from the air when it’s freezing outside.

Well, here’s the deal: ASHPs are pretty clever heating systems that do a great job, even when the mercury drops. In this article, we’ll dive into how ASHPs work and what you should know about their winter performance.

How do air source heat pumps work?

Let’s understand the basics. ASHPs are heating systems that harness heat from the outdoor air and transfer it inside your home. This process is like how your refrigerator operates but in reverse.

ASHPs are made of three main components: an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, and a refrigerant.

1. The Evaporator Coil (Outdoor Unit) absorbs heat from the air, even when it’s cold, using a refrigerant.

2. The Compressor: (Refrigerant) now containing the absorbed air, is compressed, raising its temperature.

3. The Condenser Coil (Indoor Unit) releases the heat from the hot refrigerant into your home’s heating system.

Can an air source heat pump work in cold weather?

Absolutely! It’s true that the efficiency of ASHPs decreases as the outdoor temperature drops. This is because there’s less heat available in cold air to extract. However, modern ASHPs are designed to tackle this challenge efficiently and have advanced significantly in recent years and can operate effectively in temperatures as low as -15°C.

While an ASHP can effectively bring the warmth into your home, its vital that this lovely heat stays there. Effective insulation plays a significant role, and a well-insulated and energy-efficient home will retain heat making your ASHP more efficient. Click here to see if you’re eligible for a free insulation grant in your home.

How efficient is an air source heat pump in cold weather?

In cold weather, there is obviously less heat in the air for the heat pump to transfer indoors. This means the ASHP will use more energy to produce the same amount of heat just like a furnace or boiler needs more fuel.

However, despite a slight decrease in efficiency, ASHPs are still more efficient than traditional heating systems because they don’t rely on burning fuel to generate heat, which results in less energy wastage and lower utility bills.

How Warma UK can help you secure a grant for a FREE air source heat pump and home insulation for homeowners and landlords

Warma UK is the UK’s leading provider of heating, solar, and home insulation grants having completed thousands of installations of solar systems, heat pumps, boilers, storage heaters and insulation for people across the UK.

We make it easy for people to see if they qualify for a grant and take care of installing a wide range of energy saving measures including the latest air source heat pumps for your home. What’s more! In over 95% of cases, we do this FREE OF CHARGE to you!

What sets us apart?

Well, we’ve got the inside scoop on all the grants out there, including OFGEM’s ECO Funding and we’re working alongside local Councils to help them support their residents through various funds designed to lower heating bills and increase energy efficiency.

All our installations are carried out by trusted local engineers and are backed by a comprehensive guarantee tailored to the specific requirements of your installation.

So, if you’d like to know more about what grants are available to you and have an air source heat pump installed free of charge, click below to fill out our enquiry form and start your journey to a warmer, cosier and more efficient home.