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Updated: August 27, 2024

In recent years, heat pumps have been rising in popularity across the UK. At one point you might have asked yourself whether you should get one yourself. Well, to help you out with this question, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of air to air heat pumps and hopefully help you make the right decision. 

What is an air to air heat pump?

Air to air heat pumps work by extracting heat from the air outside your home and transferring it inside through using a ventilation fan system. The same process can be reserved for cooling your home as well. 

Air to air heat pumps have different key features that make them stand out. They can reduce the amount of electricity used to generate heating or cooling. What is more, heat pumps are highly efficient in both cold and warm regions. And when it comes to their lifespan, they can last for 10 to 15 years. 

How do air to air heat pumps work?

An air to air heat pump works by using the principles of vapour compression refrigeration in order to take heat from one place and release it to another. In other words, heat pumps extract heat from the outside and use it to warm the inside of your home.

The steps can be summarised as thus:

  1. The air source heat pump will extract the ambient air around it.
  2. By using a heat exchanger coil, the heat from the air will be transferred to a refrigerant.
  3. The refrigerant vapour will be compressed and transported to the indoor unit via refrigerant lines.
  4. The indoor unit will then release the heat to warm the rooms. 
  5. The refrigerant will cool back into a liquid and pass an expansion valve. 
  6. The heat is then released and this will create the liquid-vapour mixture.
  7. Finally, the mixture will circulate back to the outdoor unit in order to be heated again. 

Read about: COMPLETE GUIDE TO The Best HEAT PUMPS 

pros and cons of air to air heat pumps

How much do air to air heat pumps cost?

An air to air heat is more affordable than a ground source heat pump. In the UK, the average air to air heat pump costs between £2,400 – £8,800.

Different factors play a role in determining how much you will pay for an air to air heat pump. These include the size of your home, the heat pump brand and energy consumption.

Air to air heat pumps installation cost

At the moment, air to air heat pump installation can cost between £350 – £1,700. Without a doubt, the cost will vary depending on the complexity of the job at hand. 

Air to air heat pumps running costs

The costs for running air to air heat pumps can range from £455 to £1,550. This figure will vary depending on your energy consumption and the size of your system. 

Read about: Air Source Heat Pump Prices in Cardiff

What are the pros of air to air heat pumps?

Easy installation.

Air to air heat pumps are quite easy to install. A hole in the will be made and the installation can be carried out in one day.

Affordable

When it comes to their cost, air to air heat pumps are relatively cheap. Even the installation cost of a heat pump is low considering that they don’t need extra pipework.

Compatibility with other systems 

    Air to air heat pumps can be installed in homes with an existing conventional heating system. And to achieve optimal sustainability, an air source heat pump can be combined with solar panels. 

    High efficiency 

    Air to air heat pumps are quite efficient. Their efficiency rates are measured with the CoP (Coefficient of Performance). Air source heat pumps have a 2.5 to 4 CoP. A CoP of 4 indicates that the heat pump produces 4 units of heat energy for every 1 unit of electricity is used. 

    Safety 

    Since heat pumps don’t require running on any flammable fuel, they reduce the chances of accidents taking place. 

    Versatile

    In addition to heating, air to air heat pumps can be switched to cooling mode in summer. In other words, they can operate just like an air conditioner in summer. 

    Low maintenance

    Air source heat pumps require little to no maintenance. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t service and check your system. Servicing your heat pump once a year is quite enough.  

    Read more about: Is a heat pump suitable for my property

    pros and cons of air to air heat pumps

    What are the cons of heat pumps?

    • The perfect temperature for air to air heat pumps to operate most effectively is between -3°C and 10°C. The electric consumption of a heat pump will increase when the temperature drops to -10°C or below. However, temperatures don’t usually drop this low in the UK.
    • Compared to gas or oil boilers, air to air heat pumps provide a lower heat supply. As a result, you may need bigger vents or a hybrid system. A hybrid system consists of using both a heat pump and a boiler. 

    Read more: Budget-Friendly Air Source Heat Pump Prices

    Is an air to air heat pump the right choice for my home?

    If you are booking to reduce your energy bills as well as your carbon footprint, then an air source heat pump is a great choice for both cooling and heating your home. 

    Read more about:

    Best Ground Source Heat Pumps and Prices

    FAQs

    How does a heat pump work?

    Air to air heat pumps work by extracting heat from the air outside your home and transferring it inside through using a ventilation fan system.

    How much do air to air heat pumps cost?

    An air to air heat is more affordable than a ground source heat pump. In the UK, the average air to air heat pump costs between £2,400 – £8,800.

    How many types of heat pumps are there?

    There are three types of heat pumps:
    Air source heat pumps
    Ground source heat pumps
    Water source heat pumps