Before you invest in a particular renewable heat source for your home, you need to make sure that your choice helps cut back you’re spending on either electricity or your current air conditioning system. The question on whether heat pumps are worth the investment can be answered based on your current expense in heating your home as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of the installed system.
When dealing with heat pumps, it is a fact that the initial cost is quite high and the results may vary in the long run. There are two common types of heat pumps; ground source heat pump and air source heat pump. The ground source type supplies heat to your home through pipes installed underground within your garden. The pipes collect heat waves from the ground which is then channeled into your home through radiators or underfloor coils.
These heat pumps are very efficient and work in all seasons. Their initial cost ranges from $9627.75 to $18185.75 depending on the digging works required during the installation process. The air source pumps, on the other hand, collect heat radiations from the air before channeling them into your house. However, their operation is limited to -15 degrees Celsius. Their installation cost varies from $6418.50 to $10697.50 based on the size of the system.
Therefore, there are several factors you have to consider when adopting these sources of heating as discussed below.
The fuel to be replaced
Are you currently using gas as a heating option? If so, then you need to expect minimal saving with regards to the cost of heating your home if you replace the system with heat pumps. The saving is in the ballpark of $139.07 every year. However, if your current primary heating system is electric, you can expect to increase this figure to around $652.55 every year. For those with furnaces, heat pumps can help reduce your carbon footprint significantly and save you the hassle of replacing the fuel used.
The amount of heat produced
Heat pumps operate by providing little amounts of uniform heating that are sufficient for cool temperatures. Freezing temperatures such as winter will require you to have an alternative or supplementary source of heating alongside the heat pumps. Considering the high initial cost, you can choose whether it is feasible for your case. Assess whether your house is well insulated and the extra heat needed is little enough to maintain your costs on the minimum.
The form of heating you use
Since heat pumps produce ambient heating, they operate best as underfloor heating sources. At cold temperatures, you will need a constant supply of heat which can be best provided by underfloor coils. Radiators may suffice; however, the heat from each radiator will be much lower forcing you to install several other radiators than the usual number.
Potential earning through incentives
There are incentives set in place in 2014 for those who have adopted renewable sources of home heating. If your system can reach the designated rate of 18.8p/kWh for the ground source heat pumps and 7.3p/kWh for the air source type, then you are eligible for this incentive. It is payable every seven years and will only be rolled out if you had an expert install your system. Besides that, there are minimum requirements that it must meet too.
Heat pumps are great options with regards to their reliability and stable production of the needed home heating. However, in extreme temperatures below -15 degrees Celsius, you may need an additional source of heat. Therefore, considering the factors discussed in this article, you can assess whether the heat pumps are best for your home.