How do air source heat pumps work?

An air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from its inside. It can extract heat from the air even when the outside temperature is as low as minus 15° C. Heat pumps have some impact on the environment as they need electricity to run, but the heat they extract from the ground, air, or water is constantly being renewed naturally.

There are two main types:

• An air-to-water system uses the heat to warm water. Heat pumps heat water to a lower temperature than a standard boiler system would, so they are more suitable for underfloor heating systems than radiator systems.

• An air-to-air system produces warm air which is circulated by fans to heat your home.

Heat from the air is absorbed into a fluid which is pumped through a heat exchanger in the heat pump. Low grade heat is then extracted by the refrigeration system and, after passing through the heat pump compressor, is concentrated into a higher temperature useful heat capable of heating water for the heating and hot water circuits of the house.

The efficiency of air source heat pump systems is measured by a coefficient of performance (CoP) – the amount of heat they produce compared to the amount of electricity needed to run them. A typical CoP for an air source heat pump is around 2.5 when used with under floor heating; it can be less when used with radiators. The COP means that for every unit of electricity used to power the pump, 2.5 units of heat could be generated

(information source – Energy Savings Trust)

SGAS Ground & Air Source Heat Pumps Course

This course will give candidates detailed explanations & practical examples of selecting, installing and setting to work air source pumps, ground source pumps, brine circuits (loop, slinky and borehole), and integration to domestic heating and hot water systems.

Completing the course and assessment will allow candidates to apply to an MCS Scheme provider (microgeneration certification scheme) such as NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA or CORGI.  Where grant funding is not available for the installation, the course and assessment will allow candidates to notify the installation as a ‘controlled service’ via LBC (Local Building Control) in the usual manner.

The course content includes the following:-

-Heat Pump Principles (ground & air source)

-Regulations & Standards

-Evaporation & Condensation process

-Servicing, Commissioning & Fault Finding

-Ground Source systems & circuits (slinky & borehole)

-Filling & Venting

-Integration with other energy sources

-Buffer Tanks

-Collector and emmitor sizing