Heat pumps are one of the most effective and cost efficient heating sources to date. They are a great way to not only reduce your energy bills but also your carbon footprint.
They work by taking heat from the ground or the air that surrounds a building and increasing its temperature to heat homes and businesses. However, they can also be reversed to remove heat from these buildings to keep them cool instead.
While the popularity of heat pumps is relatively new, the concept of them is not. The first working model of a heat pump dates back to the 1800s.
With the possibility of a boiler ban in the coming years, consider a heat pump as the future way of heating your home.
Read on to find out more about heat pumps and their history.
Types of Heat Pumps
There are many different types of heat pumps but there are two main types that are used in homes.
Air source heat pumps are the most common type of domestic heat pump in the UK. They are suitable for most types of homes and are relatively small and cheap to install compared to other types.
There have also been heat pumps developed specifically for cold winter climates. So, there is no need to worry about Scottish winters affecting their efficiency.
Other popular pumps include ground source heat pumps which are highly efficient but far pricier. They also require more space than an air source heat pump so may not be suitable for all homes.
However, if you live in an area that experiences extreme cold weather then this may be the better option for you.
The Invention of the Heat Pump
The first idea of a heat pump came around in the 1850s, which was proposed for space heating, with the first working model following in 1855-1857. This pump was designed and used industrially to heat brine to extract salt from it.
Early systems only moved air in one direction and weren’t utilised until early refrigeration systems were developed. At this time, heat pump systems only moved air in one direction.
Later, an added valve allowed for the system to change the direction of airflow. This allowed the system to both heat and cool spaces.
In the 1950s, members of the British Parliament discussed heat pumps when coal stocks were running low. Twenty years later, during the 1973-74 oil crisis, they attempted to sell them as an alternative to fossil fuels for heating.
A commentator wrote in the 1977 Annual Review of Energy: “Hope rests with the future heat pump”.
The Future of Heating Homes
The future rests with heat pumps, a low carbon way of heating your home or business.
According to the National Grid, around 40% of global carbon emissions comes from buildings. This is due to the way we heat our homes and businesses.
Finding ways to heat our homes without negatively impacting the environment is crucial to tackling the climate crisis.
Heat Pumps are a clean, green way to heat your home. Unlike boilers, which rely on gas, heat pumps rely on electricity to run.
They can also be paired with solar panels to further reduce your running costs.
While their initial cost may be far higher than your typical boiler, in the long run, they can save you money. They are far more efficient and produce less carbon than traditional oil and gas boilers.
Heat pumps are more efficient than other heating systems, producing about three times more energy than they take in. To put in comparison, your typical modern gas boiler runs at around 90% efficiency while heat pumps run at 300% efficiency.
At Homeshield, we have been providing homeowners with ways to make their homes more energy efficient.
We have been successful in helping our customers through the process of applying for free funding
Customers could be eligible for up to £9,000 in free funding towards the installation of an air source heat pump.
Start your journey to a cheaper, warmer, and greener future here.
