Air source heat pumps
An air source heat pump, sometimes shortened to ASHP, is usually a large unit outside your home, often near a wall or garden area.
It looks similar to an air conditioning unit, with a big fan visible on the front.
Inside, you’ll have a control panel and a hot water cylinder.
Air source heat pumps run through your electricity supplier and extract heat from the outside air, compress it, and transfer it indoors for heating and hot water.
Even in cold weather (down to -15°C), they can still work efficiently.
You can control the air source heat pump via a thermostat or smart controller, similar to using a boiler.
Once you’ve set your desired temperature let it run continuously—air source heat pumps tend to work best when left on and not turned on/off frequently.
Both a boiler and an air source heat pump can provide heating and hot water for your home. However, how they do it is slightly different.
Boilers are located inside the home and rely on fossil fuels like gas to work.
Whereas an air source heat pump requires no use of fossil fuels and is located outside the home.
Some of the benefits of having an air source heat pump are:
- In an insulated home with solar panels, heat pumps can reduce heating costs
- They will be able to give you consistent, even warmth throughout your home
- Provide your home with both heating and hot water
- They will work in cold temperatures (down to -15°C)
- No gas safety checks needed
- That they're environmentally friendly
Check your thermostat settings to ensure it’s not set to a very high temperature, as this can increase costs.
If bills are still high and we’re responsible, please get in touch so we can arrange for the system to be checked.
- Make sure that the power is turned on to the unit
- Check the control panel for any error codes
- If it's safe to do, reset the unit
- If it's still not working, and we're responsible you can raise a repair in your online account or get in touch
Air source heat pumps run at a lower water temperatures (35–55°C), so radiators feel warm, not hot.
This is normal and means that they're more efficient.
No, this isn't something you would be able to do.
- Make sure the airflow isn't blocked and keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves and obstructions
- If we're responsible, make sure to book in your annual service. If you're a shared owner or leaseholder you'll be responsible for arranging this
