Air to Water Heat Pump Disadvantages

Air-to-water heat pumps are an excellent way to generate and heat your home. Like most heat pumps, they are also generally better for the environment, with less impact and with little to no emissions. While it brings a wide range of benefits, everything comes with a series of drawbacks - air-to-water heat pumps are no exception.

What is an air-to-water heat pump?

Before we look at the downsides of air-to-water heat pumps, let's first figure out what exactly air-to-water heat pumps and air-to-water heating systems are.

An air-to-water heat pump is a device that draws in air and uses it to heat a liquid refrigerant, which is then used to heat your home and hot water.

It is the core technology of air-to-water heating systems. This system is simple but very effective. The radiator and hot water tank can be heated using only an air source pump and a small amount of electricity.

An air-to-water heating system can do everything a traditional gas boiler can, with the added advantage of being very environmentally friendly. It does consume a small amount of electricity, but it still greatly reduces your carbon footprint, and if you have green power sources like solar panels or wind turbines, it has the potential to be completely carbon neutral.

How does an air-to-water heat pump work?

An air-to-water heat pump looks a bit like an air conditioning unit. It's mounted on the back or side of your home and doesn't have to be a very attractive item. But the process it performs is simple and very effective. The process can be summed up in five simple steps:

1. Air-to-water heat pumps draw air from outside. It uses this air to heat liquid refrigerant, a process a bit like a reverse refrigerator.

2. The pump, powered by a small amount of electricity, compresses the liquid to increase its temperature.

3. It then condenses back into the liquid while releasing the stored heat.

4. This heated liquid is then pushed around your radiator or underfloor heating system to heat your home.

5. Any excess heat will be used to power the hot tub, providing enough hot water for washing and showering.

Disadvantages of air-to-water heat pumps:

1. High upfront costs

2. The heat supply is lower than the boiler

3. Additional expenses for installing underfloor heating

4. Lower efficiency in cold weather

5. Your home must be well insulated

6. Working noise

7. Depends on electricity

8. Planning permissions

9. Requires outside space

10. Shorter lifespan

11. Need to provide good visual effects

12. It is important to consider the following disadvantages of air-to-water heat pumps.

1. High upfront costs

For a large percentage of people, the initial out-of-pocket outlay is a disadvantage of a heat pump because it's expensive when you have to buy and install it for the first time. The biggest disadvantage of air-to-water heat pumps is also an advantage. Initial expenses. While they are considerably less expensive than other regenerative heating solutions, especially considering when installed, the cost of an air-to-water heat pump will still be significantly higher than a regular gas boiler.

2. The heat supply is lower than the boiler

One of the most frequently cited disadvantages of air-to-water heat pumps is that they provide less heat than traditional oil and gas boilers. This may mean larger radiators are needed for some properties, especially if you have a larger room. Some air-to-water heating systems will specify that they work best with underfloor heating systems.

3. Additional expenses for installing underfloor heating

Air-to-water heat pumps are most often used with underfloor heating due to the lower heating supply to get the most out of the system. This is because you don't need that high temperature to operate it. This may mean that your installation costs may be higher if you have not already installed a floor heating system. You can get a 2020 air-to-water heat pump grant or financial support to cover some or all of the cost of installing your air pump.

4. Lower efficiency in cold weather

One of the downsides of an air-to-water heat pump is that the colder the air outside, the harder it is for the heat pump to work to extract heat. For this reason, heat pumps will use more electricity in winter, reducing their efficiency. If you experience any of these air-to-water heat pump problems in cold weather, don't panic. An upgraded air-to-water heat pump system has the potential to overcome this problem. Always check the seasonal coefficient of performance of the heat pump.

5. Your home must be well insulated

Since the hot water produced by the air-to-water heat pump is cooler than the boiler, the property needs to be well insulated to make it an efficient system. To get the full benefits of an air-to-water heat pump, you first need a well-insulated home. However, this applies to any heating system. If heat can easily escape from your home through windows, doors, or walls, you'll need more energy to keep the space warm. So make sure your home is well insulated.

6. Working noise

Air-to-water heat pumps can make some noise when operating, but it must be said that it is generally not considered one of the serious air-to-water heat pump disadvantages for homeowners using heat pumps. Fortunately, this has been improved over time. If you are concerned about potential noise issues, your installer should be able to install the heat pump away from the main living area and bedrooms.

7. Depends on electricity

Air-to-water heat pumps require electricity to operate. This means that you cannot run an air-to-water heat pump during a power outage during a power outage. It also means that your air-to-water heating system cannot be carbon-free unless you also generate electricity from renewable sources. It's worth noting, however, that even heating technologies that run primarily on gas, such as furnaces or boilers, require electricity to operate, even if only very little.

8. Planning permissions

Wales and Northern Ireland require special planning permission, while in England and Scotland it depends on your location and the size of your property. Many homeowners will hold off on air-to-water heat pumps due to the prospect of planning permission. However, in most cases planning permission is not required. Here are the requirements you need to meet to keep your installation as allowed development:

This is the first air-to-water heat pump on your property.

Install at least one metre from your property boundary.

It is only used for heating.

The pump will be installed on a flat surface - the ground or a suitable roof.

If installed on a flat roof, at least one meter from the edge.

The maximum volume is 0.6 cubic meters.

Your property is not in or out of a protected area.

need outside space

You need to provide outside space for the heat pump itself, including plenty of space around the unit, to ensure it has an adequate supply of air. You'll also need space in your home for a large hot tub. Air-to-water heat pumps don’t have to be as hard if the outdoor unit is placed in a sunny location.

9. Shorter lifespan

Air-to-water heat pumps have more components exposed to the elements than ground source heat pumps. This means that weathering and general wear and tear are more pronounced. This won't be a problem if you commit to annual maintenance, and a ground source system is also recommended, but this ultimately means that air-to-water heat pumps have a shorter lifespan than ground source heat pumps. A well-maintained air-to-water heat pump may last about 15 years, while a ground source heat pump may last about 20 years.

11. Need to provide good visual effects

The visual aspects of installing an exterior box unit on your property must be considered. Air-to-water heat pumps are mostly above ground and visible to the naked eye. If the space that works best for your exterior unit is also a highly visible part of your property, you may want to explore adding an air-to-water heat pump container enclosure, which can soften the aesthetic impact.

One must consider the disadvantages and trade-offs of air-to-water heat pumps when studying this form of heating. You should do a cost forecast to see how the initial cash outlay will balance out over time, and understand that disadvantages can turn into advantages and whether this heating method is right for you.