With a wide variety of air source heat pumps available on today’s market, picking the right heat pump for your property is tricky.

But help is at hand.

Air source heat pumps have become a more prominent heating solution for both new builds and existing properties. As such, competition in the heat pump market has become increasingly fierce. As a result, selecting the right heat pump isn’t straight-forward.

With each heat pump manufacturer boasting different benefits, there are many things you can check to ensure the correct installation for you.

MCS Registered and RHI Eligible?

It’s vitally important to check with your installer that they and the heat pump they’re proposing is MCS accredited.

Only MCS approved air source heat pumps are eligible for government subsidy via the Renewable Heat Incentive. As the RHI can amount to thousands of pounds over its seven-year lifetime, you only want to install an MCS product.

Heat Pump SCOP or SPF

A SCOP or SPF is a rating of a heat pumps’ efficiency over a period of time. Basically, the higher an air source heat pump’s SCOP or SPF the more efficient an installation will be. A more efficient system means lower running costs and greater RHI subsidy.

One step further, it’s worth considering the heat pump’s efficiencies at different outdoor temperatures. Each air source heat pump brand tends to perform differently as the external temperature changes. Considering this, along with the type of heat emitters, where your property is and the design temperature, will ensure an efficient installation when it’s working its hardest.

Heating Capabilities

Air source heat pump systems come in two primary forms: air-to-water and air-to-air.
Air-to-water heat pumps can provide space heating and hot water demand and work alongside radiators or underfloor heating. On the other hand, air-to-air heat pumps only supply space heating demand. Air-to-air systems require a supplementary hot water system.

Typically, air-to-water installations are a whole-house solution, providing heat to individual rooms. Air-to-air solutions look to provide heat only to specific areas or larger, open spaces. Make sure you know the system proposed.

Required Components

The components of an air source installation vary from brand to brand. Certain manufacturer’s heat pumps require just a single external unit connected to a hot water cylinder, such as the Mitsubishi Ecodan, whereas others also require an internal unit.

Discussing with your installation the requirements of an installation is vital. Knowing what kit you’re getting and where it’s going to go is a big part of choosing the right manufacturer for you, especially where internal or external space is at a premium.

Warranties

Both the installing company of an air source heat pump and the manufacturer warrant the system. The length of these warranties varies greatly and will ultimately have an impact on the cost of upkeeping your system.

Ask your installing company or any companies providing you with a specification for the length of both the workmanship guarantee and product warranty being offered. Warranty periods generally vary between three and seven years, so it’s well worth checking!

If you’re considering an air source heat pump installation and have further questions on which system is right for you, get in touch.