What to consider when investing in a heat pump

Here’s what you need to consider before making your home more energy efficient with an air-to-water, ground-source or hybrid heat pump.

So you’ve decided to upgrade your heating system and invest in a heat pump. There’s a lot to consider, but the good news is that once the heat pump is installed, you can rest easy for the next 15 years. Here’s what you need to consider before making your home more energy efficient with an air-to-water, ground-source or hybrid heat pump.

Compatibility with existing system

One of the biggest advantages of heat pumps is their flexibility in terms of compatibility and connecting with emitters. If your home has radiators, whether it’s a new house or an older one, you can easily connect heat pumps without additional building work.

With heat pumps and their emitter combinations, you can get more out of your system. You can cool, by using heat pump convectors. The heat pump can also provide hot water. If you already have a hot water tank and want to keep it, you can install a wall-mounted heat pump indoor unit that connects to your existing hot water tank.

Insulation and heat loss

Insulation and heat loss matter when you’re upgrading your heating system. Proper insulation will boost a heat pump’s efficiency and cut the running costs. Older properties tend to not have great insulation, so get your home properly insulated to maximise the efficiency of your heat pump. Your installer will visit and advise you, or you can consult an insulation expert.

Installation costs

The installation cost depends on the type of heat pump you choose: installing an air-to-water heat pump is generally cheaper than a ground-source heat pump as the latter requires additional drilling of bore holes. The distance between the outdoor and indoor units can also affect the costs. A Daikin installer will advise you on these details.

Heat pump capacity and size

Getting the right capacity heat pump makes the difference between having one that works just as needed and one that’s less efficient.

It will also affect your bills. If capacity is too low, the heat pump has to work much harder to handle the heating, cooling and hot water demands.

Your installer will determine the right capacity, based on factors such as the property’s age and size, room type, emitters, outdoor and indoor temperature and insulation

Maintenance and service

Heat pumps require less maintenance and servicing than fossil fuel systems.
Correct service and maintenance ensure the heat pump keeps running smoothly.
Have a maintenance check at least once a year. This includes cleaning filters, checking refrigerants and inspecting the heat exchanger.
Daikin installers offer warranty and service packages, which are included in our Stand By Me Offer.

Looking for more reasons to replace your existing system with a heat pump and make energy-saving home improvements?