Air Source Heat Pumps - FAQ
Q. What type of building is suitable for heat pumps?
Q. What size of heat pumps does IHS supply?
Q. Heat pumps in existing buildings
Q. Do you install or supply only?
Q. What should i do before i order an air source heat pump?
Q. What planning permission do I need to install a micro-renewable system?
Q. What financial incentives are available for IHS heat pumps?
Q. Some electrical terms used in connection with heat pumps
Q. What is COP and why does it matter?
Q. What type of building is suitable for heat pumps?
We can design heat pump systems for most building types - domestic and commercial; new and older builds. The ideal situation in which to extract maximum return from a heat pump is a new building (or newly renovated building that's up to current building regulations) that's properly insulated and has underfloor heating.
However, it is still possible and practical to install a heat pump into an older, less well insulated building - even one without underfloor heating. Bear in mind though that this is not the most ideal situation for obtaining optimum return from the heat pump.
Most radiators would need to be either doubled in size or converted to aluminium to compensate for the lower water temperature and increase output temperature.
Q. What size of heat pumps does IHS supply?
IHS heat pumps are available in a broad range of size suitable for single and three-phase electricity supply. Manufactured by IDM Energie in Austria, all units are high quality heat pump systems designed to deliver high efficiency and faster payback. Hot water is delivered from between 45ºC to 49ºC (up to 55°C in HGL systems).
| IHS Ground, Water & Air Source Heat Pumps Model Overview | ||||
| Heat Pump Type | Heat Source | Model | Size | Notes |
| Air | Air | Terra CL | 8kW & 10kW | Single phase connection. Smaller dimensions than Terra S unit. |
| Terra CL | 12kW, 15kW, 20kW, 25kW, 30kW | Three phase connection. | ||
| Terra ML | 6kW | Single phase connection. Suitable for smaller properties. | ||
| Terra ML | 12kW | Three phase connection. Suitable for smaller properties. | ||
| Heat Pump Type | Heat Source | Model | Size | Notes |
| Ground & Water | Soil, Water | Terra Compact | 10 & 12kW | Single phase connection. |
| Terra S/W | 7kW, 8kW, 10kW, 12kW, 15kW | For single phase electric supply. | ||
| Terra S/W | 7kW, 8kW, 10kW, 12kW, 15kW, 17kW, 19kW, 26kW, 30kW, 37kW, 45kW | For three phase electric supply. | ||
| Terra Twin | 20kW, 24kW | Single phase connection. Twin compressor unit. | ||
| Terra Max | 50kW, 60kW, 70kW, 90kW, 130kW | 3-phase connection required. For larger installations. Twin compressor unit. | ||
Q. Heat pumps in existing buildings
It's possible to retro-fit a heat pump into an existing property - it'll certainly help reduce your reliance on gas, natural gas or oil.
See our section on heat pumps; you will need to give us a comprehensive level of information. In the Miscellaneous section in Downloads, you'll find a form called Retrofitting Heat Pumps and it contains a list of the most important information that we require. Nothing beats a set of drawings though so even if you don't have them, do consider having a proper set drawn up.
You can consider a wide range of systems to contribute to the heat pump - solar collectors, wood-burning stoves. You'll know that underfloor or wall heating are the best match with a heat pump; most radiators will need to be increased in size but if you want to see if your existing radiators will perform with a heat pump, wait for the colder weather, turn down your boiler to about 40C and see how you feel. This at least will indicate whether you need to upgrade your radiators.
However, at the very outset, you need to upgrade your insulation throughout the entire property. Check your attic, put dampers in open fires, see if you can have cavity wall insulation installed and try and make the property as air-tight as possible.
Q. Do you install or supply only?
Yes we do. We either recommend one of our highly experienced partners to install your system, or, we can train your installer here at our training academy in Ullapool. This training is subject to assessment.
Q. What should i do before i order an air source heat pump?
The earlier you plan your heating system and the better informed you are, the more likely it is that you'll acquire a well designed, environmentally and commercially sound heating system that suits your needs and is best for your home or office.
Typically, we don't conduct site visits. In order for us to give you a quotation for a heat pump (or any other system), we ideally need a full set of architects' drawings showing full side elevations and glazing details. Additional useful information includes number of bathrooms, floor construction and proposed floor coverings. Do you have a swimming pool that needs to be heated also? Have you a tennnis court? (We can even investigate heating your swimming pool from your tennis court!) If you have a plot map, we'd love to see it. The more relevant information that you give us, the more we can tailor a heating design specially for you.
On receipt of your drawings, we will design a detailed quotation which gives you a very detailed breakdown of your requirements. This will help you make the most informed decision possible about the choices you can make. Our design team are happy to help you with any queries you may have.
If you're thinking of installing a ground source heat pump or indeed, any renewable system, you should contact the following:
- Local planning authority (if you're in any doubt that you'll need permission to carry out the work)
- Your electricity provider - to obtain information about cheaper electrical tariffs (eg Economy 10, 7 or other eco tariffs). We've received additional information about Economy 10 in Scotland. Click here for further information.
- Apply for a grant via UK Micro-Regeneration Scheme. This process takes about six weeks and once you receive your grant offer, you have a six-month timeframe to install and commission your system and reclaim your grant. For further information, see ((grants)).
Q. What planning permission do I need to install a micro-renewable system?
Please click here for further information.
Q. What financial incentives are available for IHS heat pumps?
Yes, conditions apply. Click here for further information.
Q. Some electrical terms used in connection with heat pumps
See also frequently used terms.
Single phase electricity
This is the electrical engineering term for a normal simple circuit, with one live wire and one neutral (or return) one.
Most domestic loads are single phase.
Three phase electricity
Three phase electricity has properties that make it very desirable in electric power systems. Power transfer into a linear balanced load is constant, which helps to reduce generator and motor vibrations. They can produce a magnetic field that rotates in a specified direction, which simplifies the design of electric motors.
Three-phase electricity is desirable for heat pump installations above 12kW but absolutely necessary for heat pumps with an output of 24kW and more.
Click here for further information about economy tariffs.
Q. What is COP and why does it matter?
COP or Coefficient of Performance is the means of stating the ratio of the heat output by the particular technology relative to the amount of energy it uses to operate.
If you're looking at installing most renewable systems into any property, its performance will be dependant on a range of factors.
All the points we've outlined below are equally important to ensure your heat pump performance, that its efficiency is maximised and that running costs are minimised in the long term.
- Method of construction; concrete and screeds are the ideal partner when combined with underfloor heating and heat pumps.
- Up to standard insulation and U-values.
- Correctly fitted insulation; careless installed insulation will allow heat to excape and renders the insulation job worthless.
- Amount of ground to install trenches - IHS do not recommend using the slinky method in a trench system!
- Method of heat delivery and how well the system is installed and integrated
- System programming and sizing.
If the above elements are in place, a heat pump from IHS should deliver the following efficiencies
- Efficiency/COP with trenches - 1:4.4
- Efficiency/COP with closed loop (borehole) - 1:4.4
- Efficiency/COP with open well - 1:5.5
- Efficiency/COP Air Source Heat Pump - 1:4.2
Expected COP is taken as an annual average return - obviously in winter it may be lower and higher in the summer.
