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Purchasing residential heat pumps for your property is an important decision that requires careful consideration.
Air source heat pumps are brilliant investments for landlords and homeowners. However, there are a few things one needs to keep in mind before purchasing a heat pump for their property.
One of the most common questions homeowners have is, “Are heat pumps worth it?”
Well, to answer this question, one needs to first understand the pros and cons of heat pumps. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss the various advantages and disadvantages of heat pumps so that you can make an informed decision.
How Do Heat Pumps Work?
Heat pumps produce heat for your home with the help of three main components: The Compressor, The Expansion Valve and Heat Exchangers.
A residential heat pump uses electricity to reverse the flow of heat using a compressor and heat exchangers. The system absorbs heat from the cold air outside and the compressor increases the temperature and pressure of this heat and then transfers it into the house.
This way your home stays warm without burning any fuel or causing any harm to the environment.
The Pros and Cons of Air Source Heat Pumps
The Advantages of Heat Pumps
1. Low Costs and Savings
The costs associated with air source heat pump systems are much lesser than almost any other kind of heating system. Purchasing an efficient residential heat pump can save you a lot of money in the long run.
2. Requires Lesser Maintenance
For the most part, once the installation is done, the maintenance of the residential heat pumps is barely any work. However, a few things need to be examined once a year or so and that too without any professional assistance.
3. Highly Durable
Air and ground source heat pumps are some of the most durable and reliable sources of heat on the market. With life spans scaling from 10 to 50 years, they provide you with energy-efficient heat for a long time.
4. Suitable for both Heating and Cooling
Some heat pumps work as a dual system and are able to provide cooling in summers and heating in winters. This saves the expenses of air conditioning during the summer season.
5. Safer Option
Air source Heat pumps are much safer to use in comparison with most other heating systems. Given the fact that they work using electricity, they do not pose any risk to the user and are much easier to use.
6. Energy Efficient
Heat pumps efficiently convert energy into heat and significantly reduce carbon emissions. They are very environment-friendly and can help enhance the energy efficiency of your property.
The Disadvantages of Heat Pumps
1. Expensive
When you go out to buy a heat pump, you might feel that they are a little expensive at first. However, they make up for it by saving you a lot more money in the long run.
2. Complicated Installation Process
When it comes to residential heat pumps, the installation process is a little different and more complicated than most other heating systems.
There are a lot of geological and technical factors that need to be considered while installing these heat pumps. Furthermore, the installation can also cause some disturbance to your property’s exterior.
3. Requires Permissions to Install
In Wales and Northern Ireland, one would require special permissions to be able to install ground source or air source heat pumps at their property.
However, in England and Scotland, the requirements of the planning permissions are dependent on the size and location of the property
4. Possibility of Low Efficiency in Extreme Conditions
In extremely cold weather conditions, heat pumps may have a little trouble functioning at full efficiency.
However, this is not the case in all residential heat pumps. Therefore, before buying a heat pump system for your property, make sure you check its Seasonal Performance Factor.
Conclusion
We are sure that by now you have clearly understood the pros and cons of heat pumps. This shall greatly help you decide the type of residential heat pump you should purchase for your property and prepare you for the required efforts.
We hope that this article helps you make informed decisions while installing an air source heat pump at your property.
