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It’s no secret that air source heat pumps can be expensive…
But there’s no reason why you should be out of pocket.
In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know from the initial cost of your heat pump, what loans and repayments are available to you and comparing your quotes.
While air source heat pumps are a notable financial investment, they are a worthwhile investment that offer many benefits. The average cost of an air source heat pump including installation is between £8k - £10k. This includes the supply and installation of your heat pump and water tank.
It is vital that your heat pump is maintained to maximise comfort and efficiency, as well as minimising the risk of any failure. Here is an outline of our maintenance package.
At Renewable Heat for example, we check your heat pump 3 months after we install it. We review your heating system remotely to ensure your heat pump is running efficiently and that there are no problems. We supply you with a traffic light report following each annual service.
The great news is that the Scottish Government funded loan covers up to 100% of your installation costs. So up-front costs needn’t stop you from installing and enjoying the benefits of your air source heat pump.
The Home Energy Scotland loan means you can install your heat pump with an interest free loan funded by the Scottish Government. You can apply for up to £10,000 which you can pay back over 10 years. At Renewable Heat we guide you through the loan application process.
We provide you with all the necessary paperwork and will advise you every step of the way. If you are replacing your current home heating system with an air source heat pump then you only pay 5% VAT - not 20%!
When you put a heat pump in your home you will receive quarterly payments from the Scottish Government. These are based on the amount of renewable energy it is estimated your heat pump produces.
Tariffs set the rate for your Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments. The rates are set by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), formerly known as the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The unused energy produced by your heat pump is put on the national grid and you then receive a payment from the Government in return. If you join the scheme and stick to its rules, you will receive quarterly payments over seven years.
The current payment rates are 10.49p per kWh for an air source heat pump, and 20.46p per kWh for a ground source heat pump. We can help you join the scheme and set up your payments.
The right heat pump model for your home depends on 5 factors.
1. The size of your house
2. The number of bedrooms
3. The age of the property
4. The age of your heating system
5. Insulation level of your home
Other factors you will need to consider when choosing which your heat pump include:
The quality of the brand and model.
Simply choosing the lowest price can end up costing you in the long run. You want to be sure it can heat your home and hot water sufficiently. You also need to check what its seasonal performance factor (SPF) is. This is a numeric value to describe the efficiency of your heat pump.
This is an important factor for 2 reasons. The first is that it ensures that when you are choosing your model and brand you are comparing similar models of a similar size. Secondly, you need to check at what low temperature your air source heat pump can operate. Top brands efficiently operate at temperatures as low as -18 degrees Centigrade.
The way we arrive at the SPF value is by dividing the the total heating output in KW over a given heating season and dividing that by the number of watt hours that were required to create that heat.
The Warranty
As you would expect, the quality established brands offer the longest warranties. For example, we offer a 7-year warranty on all of our heat pumps.
Your heat pump warranty comes in 3 parts:
1. Parts - apart from the compressor all other parts fall under this warranty
2. Labour - not all quotes include labour, so make sure you ask before you buy
3. Compressor warranty - the most expensive part of your heat pump, it should have its own warranty.
Workmanship Guarantee
Having considered the make, model and features of your heat pump, you will want to consider the quality of the company you choose to supply and fit your it. A quality, expert fitting is required to ensure your heat pump is working at its optimal efficiency. It is also important in protecting your warranty.
Check their background, experience and whether they outsource any aspect of the fitting or work. Also, find out if they offer a workmanship guarantee. Should you have any issues, will they simply come back and fix it, no questions asked? What post-fitting services or maintenance do they offer?
Your air source heat pump quote should have the following information included:
Information about the company
Overview
Details of how you can expect your heat pump to perform and your calculated heat load
A break down of your heat pump and parts
Heat Loss Summary
A detailed list of what is included and excluded as part of your quote
Any additional extras you can expect
A detailed and comprehensive price
Comparing Quotes?
If you are comparing air source heat pumps, it’s vital that you are sure you are comparing two similar models.
When comparing quotes check:
Price
Brand, Model and size
SPF of unit and operating temperature
Parts, Compressor and Labour warranty
Contractor installation guarantee
It’s worth bearing in mind that the best make and model for your home might not be the cheapest quote. Remember, you’re making this purchase for the long term, so a bit more money now can mean a lot more money in savings and reliability over the coming 5 to 10 years.
