Installing Premium Air Source
Heat Pumps Across East Anglia

An air source heat pump (ASHP) is an advanced, energy-efficient heating system that absorbs heat from the outside air and transfers it into your home through the hot water in your heating system—even in freezing temperatures. Instead of burning fuel like a gas boiler, an air source heat pump moves heat, making it far more efficient.

How a Heat Pump Works
A heat pump uses a refrigeration cycle to extract, amplify, and transfer heat. This process is known as the vapour compression cycle: Here’s how it works:

1️. Evaporation – The outdoor unit draws in air, passing it over a cold refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates into a gas.

2️. Compression – The gaseous refrigerant is then compressed, dramatically raising its temperature. (Think of how a bicycle pump gets hot when you compress air!)

3. Condensation – The now hot refrigerant passes through a heat exchanger, transferring its heat to water in your central heating system (for radiators, underfloor heating, or a hot water cylinder).

4. Expansion – The refrigerant then cools down and returns to a liquid state, ready to repeat the cycle.

FACT: A heat pump operates on the same principle as your refrigerator—but in reverse!
Your fridge doesn’t add cold to your food—instead, it extracts heat from inside and releases it at the back, keeping the interior cool. Similarly, a heat pump draws heat from the outside air and transfers it into your home, keeping you warm—even in freezing temperatures!

An air source heat pump (ASHP) is one of the most efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly ways to heat your home. Unlike traditional boilers, which burn fuel to generate heat, a heat pump absorbs heat from the outside air, making it up to 500% efficient—meaning for every 1kWh of electricity used, it can produce up to 5kWh of heat.

1. Lower Running Costs & Energy Efficiency

Because heat pumps require much less energy input than gas, oil, or LPG boilers, they can reduce heating bills significantly. They also provide steady, consistent warmth, avoiding the temperature swings of traditional systems.

2. Reliable Heating – Even in Cold Weather

Our heat pumps work down to -20°C, ensuring reliable heating even in freezing conditions. Unlike fossil fuel systems, they don’t rely on fuel deliveries, eliminating the risk of running out of oil or LPG.

3. Lower Carbon Footprint

Heat pumps can cut your home’s carbon emissions by up to 70%, helping to future-proof your home as the UK moves away from fossil fuels. If powered by solar panels, or a green energy tariff, they can operate with zero carbon emissions, making them one of the cleanest heating solutions available.

4. Government Incentives & Future-Proofing

The UK government actively supports heat pump adoption through the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant and 0% VAT on installations, available until at least 2027. Additionally, as regulations move towards phasing out gas boilers, installing a heat pump now can increase your home’s value and long-term energy security.

5. Long Lifespan & Low Maintenance

A heat pump typically lasts twice as long as a gas boiler (20–25 years) and requires minimal maintenance, with no combustion risks or frequent servicing requirements.

6. Better Comfort & Control

Unlike traditional boilers that cycle on and off, heat pumps maintain a steady indoor temperature. They work with radiators, underfloor heating, and hot water systems and can be zoned for different areas of your home, giving you greater control over your comfort.

It’s a common misconception that air source heat pumps (ASHPs) only work efficiently in new, well-insulated homes. While insulation is important for minimising heat loss, a well-designed heat pump system can perform exceptionally well in older properties, sometimes even better than in highly insulated new builds.

How Does This Work?
Older homes tend to have higher heat loss due to thinner walls, single-glazed windows, or less insulation. This means they require a steady and continuous supply of heat. Heat pumps operate most efficiently when running at a consistent level, rather than frequently turning on and off.

In contrast, highly insulated homes retain heat for longer, so they require only small bursts of heating. If a heat pump is frequently switching on and off, it wastes energy—just like a car that is constantly braking and accelerating instead of cruising at a steady speed.

Think of it like fuel efficiency in a car:

• Driving at a steady speed on a motorway = better fuel efficiency (MPG).
• Constant stop-start driving in city traffic = higher fuel consumption and inefficiency.

A heat pump works in the same way. A well-designed system in an older property runs at a consistent level, meaning:
– Better efficiency—less energy wasted in frequent start-ups.
– More consistent warmth—no temperature fluctuations.

FACT:  Correct system design is essential—a properly sized and optimised heat pump can provide efficient, reliable, and cost-effective heating in older homes, despite higher heat loss.

Not at all! Heat pumps have been around longer than gas boilers. They work on the same principle as your fridge, just in reverse.

How it works:

• Your fridge removes heat from inside and releases it at the back.
• A heat pump extracts heat from outside air and moves it into your home.
• This method has been used for decades in commercial and residential applications.

FACT: Air source heat pumps are widely used in Scandinavia, where winter temperatures drop far lower than in the UK. Their reliability and efficiency are well-proven.

No – bigger isn’t always better when it comes to heat pumps! Traditional gas boilers work by rapidly heating water and shutting off, so people assume they need a powerful unit to achieve the same result. This thinking doesn’t apply to heat pumps.

What happens if a heat pump is oversized?
A heat pump that is too large will heat water too quickly, leading to short cycling (frequent on/off cycles). This wastes electricity and reduces efficiency, leading to higher bills and increased wear and tear.

Correct sizing is key.
We calculate your home’s exact heat loss, ensuring your heat pump is perfectly matched to your heating needs. A correctly sized system will:

• Run consistently at a low power level, improving efficiency.
• Prevent excessive cycling, reducing wear on the system.
• Maximise energy savings, keeping your bills low.

FACT: In Germany, regulations deliberately undersize heat pumps to cover 70% of the heating demand because running continuously is far more efficient than a stop-start operation.

No! Early heat pumps were bulky and loud, but today’s technology has come a long way.

How quiet are modern heat pumps?
Our Stiebel Eltron heat pumps operate at just 32 decibels at a 5-metre distance—quieter than a whisper. This is thanks to:

• Advanced compressor technology that reduces mechanical noise.
• Built-in vibration reduction for ultra-silent operation.
• Soundproofing insulation to minimise disturbances.

FACT: The noise level of a modern heat pump is lower than most household appliances, including a fridge or washing machine.

No – High quality air source heat pumps (ASHPs) work efficiently even in freezing temperatures! Our heat pumps are designed to operate in extreme conditions, maintaining efficient heating down to -20°C.

How Can a Heat Pump Still Extract Heat in Freezing Weather?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that there is no heat energy left in the air at 0°C. But the point at which there is zero energy available to extract is absolute zero, which is -273°C (0 Kelvin).

At -20°C, there is still a significant amount of heat energy in the air, and a well-designed heat pump can capture and amplify this heat to keep your home warm.

Why Do Some People Think Heat Pumps Fail in Winter?
This misconception comes from cheap, poorly designed heat pumps that struggle in cold conditions. Many low-cost models use a scroll compressor that operates only at full power (100%) or off (0%), preventing them from adjusting output when additional heating is needed in colder weather. This results in a significant heat output drop-off, reducing capacity drastically in freezing conditions.

• For example, a heat pump advertised as 16kWmay only produce 11kW at -7°C. This is a disaster because heat loss increases as temperatures drop—so just when you need more heat, a poor-quality unit produces less!

FACT: Our units use a variable-speed inverter compressor, which adjusts its power level based on demand- Instead of struggling in cold weather, our systems automatically increase output to keep up with rising heat loss. Don’t let bad technology give the industry a bad name!

The cost of running an air source heat pump (ASHP) depends on:

• Your energy tariff (electricity prices vary).
• Your home’s efficiency (insulation, heating system design, etc.).
• The volatility of fossil fuel prices, which can fluctuate daily.

However, rather than focusing on price changes, the most stable way to compare running costs is through energy efficiency differences, which remain constant regardless of price fluctuations.

Efficiency Comparisons by Heating Type

What Does This Mean for Running Costs?
Since an ASHP requires much less energy input than traditional heating systems to produce the same amount of heat, it typically results in significant savings on running costs.

FACT: Since air source heat pumps operate with high efficiency, they require significantly less energy input to generate the same heat output. This translates to lower running costs compared to traditional heating methods.

Yes! The UK government actively supports heat pump installations through financial incentives, making switching to renewable heating more affordable.

• Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) – £7,500 Grant:
  The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)offers a £7,500 grant towards the installation of an air source heat pump (ASHP). This significantly reduces upfront costs and makes switching from gas, oil, or LPG heating much more accessible. Don’t worry, we handle all the complicated paperwork for you!
• 0% VAT on Air Source Heat Pumps:
  In addition to the BUS grant, the UK government has cut VAT to 0% on domestic heat pump installations.
• Other Financial Support:
  There are additional incentives available to help homeowners switch to renewable heating. Somemortgage providers and financial institutions offer green finance options, such as preferential loan rates or additional borrowing for energy-efficient home improvements.

FACT: If you’re eligible, we’ll guide you through the process to ensure you receive your BUS grant and benefit from the 0% VAT rate—making your heat pump installation as affordable as possible!

Installing an air source heat pump (ASHP) is typically less disruptive than many homeowners expect. While some adjustments may be required, a well-planned installation ensures minimal impact on your home.

Installation Timeline & Key Steps
A standard ASHP installation takes 2 to 5 days, depending on system complexity. The process includes:

1️. Installing the Outdoor Heat Pump Unit

• Positioned outside in a suitable location with good airflow to ensure efficient operation.

2️. Upgrading or Installing a Hot Water Cylinder (If Needed)

• Heat pumps work best with a high-gain cylinder, designed to heat water more quickly using a larger internal coil.
• If your home has a combi boiler and you want your ASHP to provide hot water, a dedicated hot water cylinder will need to be installed in a suitable location.

3️. Installing a Buffer Tank (If Recommended)

• Not always required, but highly beneficial where space allows.
• Improves efficiency, heat output stability, and prevents flow issues in low-demand periods.
• Particularly useful for multiple heating zones or underfloor heating, ensuring smoother operation and improved performance.

4️. Connecting Pipework to Your Heating System

• Existing pipework can often be reused, reducing disruption.
• We perform a full air pressure test to check pipework condition.
• A comprehensive system power flush removes debris from pipes and radiators to maximise efficiency.

If your system uses microbore pipework (8mm-10mm), upgrading to a larger diameter is recommended for better flow rates and optimal heat pump performance.

FACT: We handle everything—from heat loss calculations to professional installation, ensuring a seamless transition to renewable heating.

Not always! Whether you need to upgrade your radiators depends on your home’s heat loss and the size of your existing radiators.

Why Radiator Size Matters More with a Heat Pump
The larger your radiators, the more effectively they can transfer heat into your room—this applies to any heating system. Larger radiators allow the heat pump to run more efficiently and let it work at lower temperatures, reducing energy consumption while maintaining comfort.

Many people overlook the importance of radiator size because traditional boilers blast heat at high temperatures, meaning even an undersized radiator will eventually warm a room—but inefficiently.

• Traditional boiler installers often adopt the “just get a bigger boiler” approach, assuming more power will resolve heating issues. However, the radiator itself dictates how much heat enters the room—not the boiler or heat pump.
• 90% of UK homes have undersized radiators, meaning the majority of homes are heating inefficiently—whether they use a heat pump or not!

FACT: If your radiators are already large enough, you won’t need to replace them. However, if they are too small, they should be replaced regardless of whether you have an air source heat pump or not!! Upgrading to a properly sized radiator will dramatically improve the efficiency of your heating system.

Very little! Unlike gas boilers, air source heat pumps have fewer moving parts and do not rely on combustion, significantly reducing wear and tear. This is one of the key reasons why our heat pumps have an expected lifespan of 20–25 years.

To keep your system running at peak efficiency, we recommend an annual service. This helps to:

• Maintain product warranties
• Ensure optimal efficiencyand performance
• Identify and prevent potential issues early

FACT: With customer consent, we remotely monitor all our air source heat pump installations, allowing us to fine-tune performance and ensure they are operating as efficiently as possible!