Renewable Energy

At Heat-Tek we offer a full design and installation service to provide you with the most suitable renewables installation for your property.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air. Heat-Tek specialise in the design and installation of Air Source Heat Pumps.

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 get heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as -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.

The benefits of air source heat pumps

  • Lower fuel bills, especially if you are replacing conventional electric heating
  • potential income through the UK government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
  • lower home carbon emissions, depending on which fuel you are replacing
    no fuel deliveries needed
  • can heat your home as well as your water
    minimal maintenance required
  • can be easier to install than a ground source heat pump.

Unlike gas and oil boilers, heat pumps deliver heat at lower temperatures over much longer periods. During the winter they may need to be on constantly to heat your home efficiently. You will also notice that radiators won’t feel as hot to the touch as they might do when you are using a gas or oil boiler.

How do air source heat pumps work?

Heat from the air is absorbed at low temperature into a fluid. This fluid then passes through a compressor where its temperature is increased, and transfers its higher temperature heat to the heating and hot water circuits of the house. There are two main types of air source heat pump systems.

Air-to-water
An air-to-water system distributes heat via your wet central heating system. Heat pumps work much more efficiently at a lower temperature than a standard boiler system would. This makes them more suitable for underfloor heating systems or larger radiators, which give out heat at lower temperatures over longer periods of time.

Air-to-air
An air-to-air system produces warm air which is circulated by fans to heat your home. They are unlikely to provide you with hot water as well.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) use pipes which are buried in the garden to extract heat from the ground.

This heat can then be used to heat radiators, underfloor or warm air heating systems and hot water in your home.

A ground source heat pump circulates a mixture of water and antifreeze around a loop of pipe, called a ground loop, which is buried in your garden. Heat from the ground is absorbed into the fluid and then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump. The ground stays at a fairly constant temperature under the surface, so the heat pump can be used throughout the year.

The length of the ground loop depends on the size of your home and the amount of heat you need. Longer loops can draw more heat from the ground, but need more space to be buried in. If space is limited, a vertical borehole can be drilled instead.

The benefits of ground source heat pumps

  • could lower your fuel bills, especially if you replace conventional electric heating
  • could provide you with income through the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
  • could lower home carbon emissions, depending on which fuel you are replacing
  • no fuel deliveries needed
  • can heat your home as well as your water
  • minimal maintenance required

Unlike gas and oil boilers, heat pumps deliver heat at lower temperatures over much longer periods. During the winter they may need to be on constantly to heat your home efficiently. You will also notice that radiators won’t feel as hot to the touch as they might do when you are using a gas or oil boiler.

The Heat-Tek TeamRenewables