Air source heat pumps are growing in popularity in the UK as people look for ways to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and cut their energy bills at the same time. As a result, more and more brands are bringing devices to market, which in turn helps keep prices down and makes them a more attractive investment for homeowners.
Air source heat pumps are cheaper and easier to install than ground source heat pumps because they do not need to be buried in the ground. They extract heat from the outdoor air even at temperatures as low as -25°C and convert it into energy for the central heating and domestic hot water systems.
Air source heat pumps come in two types: air-to-air or air-to-water. An air-to-air pump will use a fan system to heat your home, while an air-to-water system works just like a traditional boiler, circulating hot water through radiators.
In this guide, we take a look at the best air source heat pumps in the UK, looking at their efficiency, cost, pros and cons to help you decide which one is right for your home.
Samsung is one of the most famous brands in the world, making everything from mobile phones and televisions to air-sourced home heat pumps. Samsung has invested heavily in the research and development of renewable energy technologies and has launched one of the most efficient, powerful and cost-competitive air source heat pumps in the form of the EHS Monobloc. It’s the perfect all-rounder.
What we love about the EHS Monobloc is that, in addition to its efficiency and 16kW power output, it’s also one of the smallest units you can buy, about 40% lighter and more compact than the average competitor. By investing in a Samsung air source heat pump, you can be sure that the company will be by your side throughout the life of your heat pump and will have excellent customer support.
Here are the main pros and cons of buying a Samsung EHS Monobloc air source heat pump:
The Samsung EHS Monobloc 16 kW air source heat pump consists of an inverter compressor that works according to the outdoor temperature. Lightweight and compact outdoor units not only simplify and reduce the cost of installation, but also make them invisible on your territory. The slim design also helps keep noise levels down. As a result, the EHS monoblock is very quiet, producing 66 dBA of sound power.
The top monoblock EHS has a heating power of 16 kW and a summer cooling power of 14 kW. Hot water can be heated up to 65 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for almost any purpose. The device can also operate in temperatures from -25°C to 35°C, making it ideal for anywhere in the UK.
There aren’t many add-ons for air source heat pump systems, however Samsung does offer a pre-dosed cylinder that you can buy as an add-on to the EHS Monobloc. This add-on can reduce installation time, thus lowering the overall cost.
The Samsung EHS Mono is probably the best all-rounder. They generally get good reviews, and the company’s seven-year warranty is one of the most generous on the market. EHS Mono is designed for everyone, but especially for those who care about space the most. If you live in a small terraced house or have a small garden, this is one of the best heat pumps in the UK for you.
Hitachi has long been a leader in the consumer electronics market and, like other popular heat pump manufacturers, recently entered the renewable energy home market. Yutaki’s range of air source heat pumps, including the S80, S and M series, is one of the most energy efficient in the UK.
All Hitachi Yutaki pumps are A+++ energy rated and 500% efficient, so you can not only lower your operating costs, but save thousands of dollars over the life of your heat pump. Yutaki S80 efficiently converts every kilowatt of electricity into 5 kilowatts of heat. This will reduce energy bills by 60% and CO2 emissions by 50% compared to conventional boilers.
Here are the main pros and cons of buying a Hitachi Yutaki S80 air source heat pump:
Like the Samsung EHS Monobloc, the Hitachi Yutaki unit is compact and efficient. Designed by a brand like Hitachi, which has a long history in the electronics market, you can imagine that they are equipped with some intuitive features. A wireless remote control lets you adjust the room temperature wherever you are, and a one-touch button puts the system into holiday mode while you’re away.
Hitachi has ditched standard electrical components in the Yutaki S80 heat pump. Instead, it is equipped with a Cascade R134a heat pump, which helps the system achieve high efficiency levels. The unit can produce hot water up to 80 degrees Celsius. Other features include weather compensated control.
The Yutaki S80 system comes with a controller and a set of anti-vibration feet to further reduce noise. You can also purchase additional 185 or 250 liter cylinder tanks, temperature sensors and three-way electric valves for domestic hot water heating and space heating.
Efficiency should be one of your top priorities when switching to a renewable energy system, and the Hitachi Yutaki S80 is one of the most efficient systems you can find. Because it produces five times more energy than it consumes, not only will you reduce your carbon footprint, but you will also save significantly on your energy bills over time. With its handy app, timer and vacation mode, you can fine-tune your operations for greater efficiency. If you are moving to a new home or need to replace your boiler and live in a medium sized home, this heat pump may be the best option for you.
Vaillant’s flexoTHERM series of heat pumps are unique in that they can use three different heat sources: earth, water and air. When connected to Vaillant’s aroCOLLECT air system, they become the most powerful air-based heat pumps you can buy.
Vaillant is by far one of the top brands in home heating and has won awards for its design. The flexoTHERM heat pump models are available in two categories: 5, 8 and 11kW for 230V and 15 and 19kW for 400V. Vaillant’s state-of-the-art EVI compressor technology helps to strike a balance between maximum efficiency and high performance, and the 400V range really delivers the power .
Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of buying a Vaillant flexoTHERM air source heat pump:
The flexoTHERM 400V works together with Vaillant’s aroCOLLECT brine collector modules as a three-phase air source heat pump. The aroCOLLECT module uses the ambient temperature to heat the brine just like a ground source system, ensuring minimal heat loss.
In addition to an A+++ efficiency rating, the unit’s adjustable fan also limits noise levels, making it one of the quietest air-cooled heat pumps on the market. At the same time, the built-in EVI supercompressor provides incredible power to this Vaillant heat pump.
Vaillant manufactures a range of unistor hot water tanks for use with Vaillant heat pumps. The capacity varies from 150 to 300 liters and the cylinders are made from 100% recyclable stainless steel. These devices are also covered by a 25-year warranty.
Vaillant is one of the biggest and most trusted names in home heating with excellent customer support. Vaillant flexoTHERM multi-source heat pumps are incredibly versatile and, given their high power output and cost, are best suited for large facilities and even commercial buildings. For large heating needs, you can even install up to seven flexoTHERM Vaillant heat pumps at the same time, which, together with the aroCOLLECT unit, ensures maximum efficiency and reliability.
Many people may not know that Daikin has been in the home heating market for 90 years and is known for developing innovative technologies. Daikin Altherma air source heat pumps are available for most types of facilities and are designed to work in tandem with your existing radiators to keep costs to a minimum.
Another advantage of Altherma air source heat pumps is that they can operate at extremely low temperatures. In fact, all heat pumps in the Daikin Altherma range can operate at temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the Altherma heat pump can produce hot water from 55°C to 80°C, depending on the unit you purchase.
Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of buying a Vaillant flexoTHERM air source heat pump:
Daikin’s Altherma range is very diverse and includes Altherma low temperature monoblocs, low temperature splits, high temperature splits, Altherma 3 with Bluevolution R32 and Altherma hybrids. These models also offer a range of power options, up to 16kW in low and high temperature models and up to 8kW in Altherma 3 and Hybrid.
Low-temperature and high-temperature models are the most affordable and are most popular with consumers. High temperature models can produce hot water up to 80°C, but this comes at the cost of energy efficiency, which is only rated A+. The cryogenic model was rated A+++.
The low temperature model offers several options. Monoblock versions contain all components in one block. It is installed outside of your property and there is only one wire that carries power to your home. Low-temperature models of split systems have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit (with the possibility of mounting the indoor unit on the wall). The outdoor unit can be installed up to 50 meters away, giving you more flexibility. Due to their versatility, we will focus on cryogenic split system models in the table below.
Daikin does not offer a wide range of add-ons, but you can add additional storage to some models in the Altherma range. For example, Altherma Monobloc offers the option of including a hot water storage tank to increase hot water capacity, while the low temperature split model allows you to choose between an additional hot water tank or a floor standing indoor unit with a hot water tank. inside.
Daikin’s Altherma air source heat pump range is ideal for those renovating their home or replacing old boilers. The compact design of the Altherma Series reduces installation complexity (and cost), meaning you can more easily connect the system to existing ducts and radiators.
Temperatures don’t usually drop below -25°C in the UK (with the exception of parts of Scotland), but air source heat pumps can operate at these low temperatures and still produce low energy hot water and heat to keep people going. warm all winter. feeling of peace of mind.
Nibe is a Swedish company that has been developing home heating systems for over 60 years. As you would expect from a Scandinavian company, Nibe air source heat pumps are among the easiest and most cost effective to install thanks to the focus on practical design.
The F2040 series air-to-water heat pump is one of the company’s most popular products, not only due to its easy installation, but also low operating temperature, high performance and excellent customer service.
Nibe offers a wide range of accessories for their F2040 models (F2040-6, -8, -12 and -16). They range from control modules for better integration with your home’s climate system, to wall mounts and heat recovery ventilation units. Nibe also manufactures stainless steel hot water tanks.
The reason the Nibe F2040 series is so popular is because it really is the best air source heat pump for small to medium sized properties. The devices themselves are very compact, which reduces the amount of space they take up on your yard. They can also be hung on the wall to free up space on the floor. What’s more, the F2040 requires only 150mm of free space between it and any wall it can be installed on, and requires 1 meter of free space in front of the unit. This gives you more flexibility in tight spaces.
People also like the attention to detail in design. The fan blades are designed for low noise air movement, and the anti-vibration connections also help make the F2040 one of the quietest air source heat pumps you can buy. With options ranging from 8.7kW to 15.8kW, it should be able to put out plenty of heat, enough to heat an average UK terraced house even at low temperatures.
From performance and efficiency to warranties, price and design, we consider many factors when selecting the best air source heat pumps in the UK. While air source heat pumps are less invasive to install than ground source heat pumps, they do require a lot of installation on and within your property. The compact design is an important factor along with the power output and energy efficiency of the device.
With all of this in mind, Samsung tops our list. The South Korean company may not have the heritage in this market that companies like Daikin or Vaillant have, but it has brought its design creativity and technical prowess to an increasingly crowded market and created a product department. Its EHS Monobloc system is powerful, energy efficient, compact and comes with a seven year warranty. With an aggressive pricing structure that keeps it affordable for most consumers, the Samsung EHS Monobloc is well ahead of the competition.
Of course, other homeowners have more specific needs. That’s why we’ve scoured the market for the best air source heat pumps for those who might need something more powerful or efficient. Or maybe you live somewhere that’s cold all year round and you need the most efficient heat pump for your climate. This checklist answers those questions.
As with any heating system, whether traditional or renewable, the cost really depends on many factors such as the size and location of your home, as well as your overall heating needs. You can expect most units to cost between £5,000 and £8,000, with installation likely to cost around £5,000 for the average UK home.
While this may seem like a lot of money – and it is – remember that over time you will recoup it through reduced electricity bills and payments from the UK government as part of the initial investment in the Renewable Thermal Incentive Scheme. Given that the average life of an air source heat pump should be between 20 and 25 years, your system should easily pay for itself at the end of its life.
Air source heat pumps can operate at any time of the year, even in winter. You might think that an air source heat pump only works in the summer, but it actually extracts heat from the air in the winter. What’s more, they can also act as an air conditioner to cool your home during the hot summer months.
Air source heat pumps use four times less energy than traditional gas boilers to provide the same amount of heat in your home. This means you can save up to £300 or more a year on your energy bills while reducing your carbon footprint. What’s more, unlike ground source heat pumps or even solar panels, air source heat pumps are much easier and cheaper to install.
While they can still work in cold weather, air source heat pumps are less energy efficient in cold weather because they have to work harder to extract heat. So when you save a lot of energy during the warm summer months, when you offset the cost of air conditioning, it is offset by less efficient energy in the winter.