Your Air and Ground Source Heat Pump Questions answered

To help homeowners control their energy bills even further, or 'go green', we've designed Heat Pump Quoter.

Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps are an alternative renewable energy to solar or wind, and can power your hot water as well as your heating, via underfloor heating, hot air convection or even radiators.

Unlike some renewable energy sources, Heat Pumps are not reliant on wind or sunshine to operate, so you can make the most of this energy efficient, renewable heat source, 24 hours a day, all year around.

Our newest 'Quoter website can offer you an instant online heat pump quote, without the need for salesmen to call on you.

To find out how Heat Pumps work, how suitable they may be for your home and what Government incentives are currently available, read more below...

How do Heat Pumps work?

Imagine a fridge working in reverse - taking the outside temperature of the air or ground and extracting the heat, compressing that heat and then passing it into your home to heat your hot water, underfloor heating, radiator or warm air convection system and that's the science behind Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps.

Air Source Heat Pumps are a small unit (much like a modern air-conditioning unit in size and shape), which fixes to the ground or wall adjacent to the property to be heated.

Ground Source Heat Pumps use heat taken from the ground and involve a series of looped fluid filled tubing buried in trenches within your garden. Because of the trench digging and pipe laying, these systems cost more to install.

Heat Pumps work at generally lower temperatures to more traditional fossil fuel heating so it's important, to make the most of your system, that your home is reasonably insulated before installation begins. What's more, they don't rely on wind or sunshine to function.

How do I get my money back? It's renewable energy right?

Absolutely right. Heat Pumps are a renewable heat source - the kind to be included in the Governments proposed Renewable Heat Incentives which are due to start Autumn 2012 and already included in the Governments current *Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme.

The tariffs - the money the Government will pay you - will work similarly to the current solar panel feed in tariffs, but nobody knows the exact details yet.

The Government are currently offering a *Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme to encourage homeowners to install renewable heat sources onto their homes.

The Government are making these one-off payments, to the tune of £1250 for Ground Source systems and £850 for Air Source systems to homeowners, to help them cover the cost of installing these systems. These installation incentives are set to run until 31st march 2012.

What's so green about Heat Pumps?

Sure, Heat Pumps use electricity to run, but the clever bit is they use far less that the energy they output.

The energy is called renewable because the heat is taken from the surrounding air / ground rather than artificially generated through the burning of a fossil fuel.

This means that the CO2 emissions are low compared to an equivalent fossil fuel usage.

What can a Heat Pump heat?

Heat Pumps extract heat from their surroundings, compress it and apply it to a fluid which is then passed into your home. This hot fluid can be used to:

• Heat your emersion tank
• Power your underfloor heating
• Heat specially designed radiators in your home
• Power hot air convection heaters.

The systems are responsive and designed to work with thermostats so you can control the heat / water temperature.

Because of that overall lower heat output, if you're using your Heat Pump to power your hot water, you're installers will make sure you have an immersion heater fitted which will be timed to come on once a week for an hour or two, to superheat the water in your tank and kill off any bacteria.

The lower heat output also means you may find it more comfortable to leave the systems on for longer periods.

Specially designed radiators?

Yes, normal 'gas fired' central heating radiators aren't usually large enough to provide the surface area needed for the lower temperature water to effectively transfer enough heat to the radiator to 'radiate' and heat the room.

It may be you decide on a duel system - keeping your existing heating / hot water system but supplementing its heat with your Heat Pump. That will still lower your usual energy bills.

Is my home suitable?

Most properties will be suitable for either a ground or air heat pump system. There's even a water pump system that could draw heat from say a large pond or lake.

Properties which will benefit the most include those that aren't on Mains Gas and use either Oil, LPG or other solid fuel for heating and hot water.

Properties that use storage heaters will also see the same benefits.

Even on properties with gas fired central heating will make a modest return (not including any future tariffs), by preheating hot water tanks etc or replacing the heating source on underfloor heating systems.

Will I need a new immersion tank?

That's a question for your preferred installers when they're conducting their quote survey.

Servicing and maintenance?

Heat pump technology has been around longer than you think. The units themselves require little maintenance other than an annual health check (like a regular gas boiler) and for an Air Source Pump, making sure the area around the pump is free from leaf debris etc.

How big a system will I need?

That depends on how dependent you want to be on its output from totally dependent to treating the system as an auxiliary system. The installation companies will take your wishes along with the size and type of your home and how many of you live within the property, into consideration when conducting their survey prior to quotation.

In conclusion…

• Heap Pumps use minimal energy
• Produce a steady, reliable renewable heat and hot water source for your home
• Aren't reliant on wind or sunshine
• Work all year round - 24/7
• Government incentives towards installation costs of such systems - up to £1250*
• Government expected to launch its Renewable Heat Incentive tariff scheme October 2012
• You could earn a regular payment for the renewable heat you produce.
• Lower your energy bills
• Reduce your homes CO2 Emissions

*Renewable Heat Premium Payments (Governments one-off payments towards your installation costs) are subject to certain criteria. You can find more information on the Energy Saving Trust's website here.

Get your home ready for solar.

Don't forget energy efficiency in the solar rush

With all the Government incentives currently available for installing solar panels, it's no wonder there's been a rush of homeowners, eager to cash in on the maximum feed-in tariff rates.

Because of the rush, many homeowners are forgetting to take simple steps before the installation, to make the most of the energy produced once their installation is complete.

There's little point in saving money in one area if you're only going to continue wasting it in another. It'll diminish the return on your investment and certainly won't be doing the environment any favours either.

But all is not lost - take a look at our handy guide to making the most of your solar installation.

Most solar companies will offer you some form of energy audit. This is a critical first step as it helps you determine exactly how much energy you really use, and can help you reduce that amount. Essential if you're looking to be totally self sufficient - you don't want to be paying for generating capacity you don't really need.

Review your home's appliances - washing machines, driers etc come in all budgets and flavours but there's little point in generating free energy if it all goes to power an un-efficient appliance. Consider renewing or upgrading (or just using less) any hungry appliances.

And on the subject of appliances - if you're buying new energy efficient models, then make sure you make full use, whenever possible, of their energy saving features like low temperature settings or eco wash programmes.

A double glazing salesman once told me that the majority of homeowners who'd had energy efficient double glazing fitted didn't reap the rewards of their new windows by turning their room thermostats down a notch or two. Your home doesn't have to be tropical - so turn the thermostat down by a degree or more.

Have you seen the light? Take a careful look around your home and see if you can't replace any old bulbs with energy efficient ones. Why not go one better and incorporate LED lighting?

Finally, review your homes insulation. There are a few initiatives around at the moment promoting energy efficiency with offers and grants on wall and loft insulation. Re-visit hot water tank and pipe lagging - can it be improved or updated? Any additional insulation will only save you energy.

The same goes for draught excluding - check windows, doors and especially letterboxes. Draught excluder is cheap to buy and easy to fit, but reducing the amount of cold air that gets into your home, increases the energy savings as you'll find you need to heat your home less.

Most, if not all, of the above we should all be doing already, what with the increases in fuel bills, but it's even more important to review your home's efficiency if you're about to embark on a solar panel installation - if you really want to make the most of this amazing technology and are serious about maximising the return on your investment whilst also lowering your regular energy bills.

Reducing your overall energy usage isn't a bad thing for the environment either, but of course you already knew that.

photo credit: daniel novta

Geothermal projects alive and kicking

With the potential to generate 2% of the country's annual electricity (source renewable energy focus), it's no wonder the Government is keen to promote projects.

It's just awarded £1.1m to three UK geothermal projects, including £500,000 to Keele University to drill a 1200m borehole which will provide heat for a proposed sustainable campus complex.

And you thought geothermal power was boring....

photo credit: lydur skulason

DIY Hydro energy - how to apply

Following the publishing a couple of weeks ago by the Environment Agency on how to go about installing your own small-scale hydro electricity generating project, Business Green published this excellent round up of the key stages.

If you've got the means on your property to tap into hydro-electricity on a small, sustainable scale, then it's worth a few moments of your time.

There are lots of grants available (depending on where you live) and the right installation by the right installer could see you benefit from the Feed-in Tariffs (they're not just for solar generated electricity).

Read Business Green's article here.

If you decide that a solar installation is for you or you want to get a comparison quote, then use Solar Panel Quoter.co.uk - click here.

photo credit: hoyasmeg

Existing UK grant scheme for renewables cut ahead of Tariff introduction

Business Green reported last week how the Department of Energy and Climate Change closed phases 1 and 2 of the Low Carbon Building Programme grant scheme with immediate effect.

The move leaves renewable energy companies having to operate without any incentive schemes to attract homeowners and installers with, until the introduction of Feed-in tariffs in April.

The DECC has said that he money saved from the closure of the existing schemes will go towards supporting the renewable heat incentives announced last month and aimed to be in place for 2011.

The LCBP scheme has been criticised in the past for favouring a small number of firms as well as repeatedly running out of funds leaving homeowners unable to access grants for which they would have been eligible.

Read the full story at Business Green, which contains comments and insights from leading renewables figures.

photo credit: richard summers

Photovoltaic Solar Panel industry uncertain as grants run dry

As reported at You Gen.co.uk...

"The solar industry faces another phase of uncertainty as the grants money to support installation of photovoltaic panels in public sector buildings and charities has run out again.

The Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 grant pot was topped up with £35m earlier this year, of which £13m was earmarked for solar PV. Demand has been higher than expected, and this has gone, leaving the industry facing a gap until feed-in tariffs are introduced in April 2010. This is made worse as the feed-in tariff rates still haven't been announced, and aren't expected to be until January.
This does not affect grants for householders, which are paid from the low carbon buildings programme phase 1."

Worrying news indeed and whilst they'll be hoping this state of uncertainty is reversed when the UK Feed-In Tariff's are introduced (or expected to be) in April 2010, even that is surrounded by uncertainty as tariff's have yet to be announced.

The market uncertainty has been likened to a "roller coaster for business planning".

Read the full article at You Gen by clicking here.

photo credit: jason rogers

Feed in Tariffs - details won't be announced until next year.

Feed-in Tariffs are the latest buzz for the renewable energy installation companies as April 2010 looms every nearer - April is when the Government's feed-in tariffs scheme is supposed to be starting.

However, as reported on the Business Green website, fears are now growing that the April launch date could be delayed amidst news that the final details of the scheme, including the actual incentives will not be announced until the New Year.

Renewable energy firms are worried that the late announcement will leave them little time to put systems in place for the new incentives.

Some see the delay as a good thing though, claiming that this will give the renewable energy sector more time to lobby for greater incentives for homeowners and businesses to install renewable energies like solar panels and wind turbines.

With feed-in tariffs, the greatest savings are made by those that are able to get in on the scheme at the very start. Installation companies will no doubt see a boom in demand which could easily mean a delay in starting individual installations.

If you're planning on making use of the proposed feed-in tariff system when it is introduced or you're thinking of getting solar heating or photovoltaic systems installed on your property, you'll want to read the full article - click here.

photo credit: conner395

Poll suggests half of Scottish people unaware of Scottish Government grants for heating this winter

New survey reveals Scots worries at affording heating bills this Winter...

"A new survey has found that four in ten (41 per cent) Scots are worried about being able to afford their home heating bills this winter.

And more than half (56 per cent) know someone else that will struggle to do so, such as a grandparent, elderly relative, neighbour or friend.

The results of the survey of 1,045 Scottish people - commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust - coincide with the launch of a Scotland-wide TV advertising campaign for the Energy Assistance Package - a new initiative that will provide real financial and environmental benefits to Scots struggling to heat their homes this winter.

The poll findings reveal that around half of Scottish people (52 per cent) do not know that the Scottish Government offers grants and assistance to help people heat their home."

To read the full story and find out more about Scottish Government grants, click here.

Don't forget to check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours this winter. It only takes a few moments but can really make a difference. Whilst you're there, why not check their smoke alarms work? They probably can't reach them to test.

photo credit: dmclear

Government subsidies could save 14m tonnes of carbon emissions a year

"A micro-scale solar energy revolution would depend on the government stimulating the market with rebate schemes with an attractive financial incentive. And I don't mean for a year or two. For widespread uptake of solar panels to occur in the UK, sustained policy support will be required.

Alternative incentives include grants to cover half of the initial costs of solar panels and their installation. If the UK government subsidised half the cost of some of the technologies, it would save 14m tonnes of carbon emissions a year, or 3% of all emissions."

Interesting reading... to read more, visit: totalsolarenergy.co.uk