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Choosing the best air source heat pump can be challenging in 2024. By following our comprehensive guide, you can choose the best air source heat pump.
An air source heat pump can help you to lower costs of heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. In simple terms, a heat pump is a device that transfers heat from a source to another location. To achieve this, air source heat pumps use electricity to produce hot or cool air. As opposed to boilers, air source heat pumps can achieve up to 600% efficiency rate, because the amount of heat produced by the pump is higher than the energy it consumes.
We’ve conducted thorough research on several companies and brands to compile a list of the best air source heat pumps. We’ve taken into account many different factors that are essential when choosing an air source heat pump and comprehensively compared the best brands on the market. This guide is designed to help you choose the best air source heat pump for you and your home. Let’s get started.
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Often called an air-to-water heat pump, air source heat pumps are designed to heat homes by using outside air. The pump transfers heat from the air through a heat exchanger to water which is transported to radiators, warming up the property. It can also produce hot water for your taps, keeping it stored in a water storage cylinder.
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Image credit: Samsung
Samsung is one of the most famous brands in the world of technology and appliances. It manufactures everything from TV’s to phones and even air source heat pumps. In recent years, Samsung has invested heavily in the development and research of renewable technology, which has allowed it to start manufacturing energy-efficient and powerful air source heat pumps. As a result of this research, the Samsung EHS Monobloc was created, and it is an excellent all-around heat pump system for your home.
The Samsung EHS Monobloc is efficient and it has 16kW output. In addition, it is one of the smallest units you will find, and even up to 40% lighter than many of its competitors. It operates in very cold climates as well, which makes it ideal even for the UK’s northern extremities.
The cost of this particular air source heat pump is reasonable and more affordable than most of its competitors. The prices start at about £3,000.
Samsung EHS Monobloc is an excellent all-rounder that suits most homes. Compared to many other competitors, this Samsung air source heat pump is reasonably priced, reliable, and efficient.
For more information, read our full Samsung EHS Monobloc review.
Image credit: Hitachi
Hitachi is no newcomer in the home electronics market. In fact, it’s one of the most popular heat pump manufacturers in the world. Some time ago, Hitachi started focusing efforts on home renewable energy systems and now it manufactures energy-efficient air source heat pumps in the UK.
All of its heat pumps have an excellent energy rating, which can allow you to reduce your running costs. It has an efficiency of 500%, and can even help to reduce your electric bills by 60%. As Hitachi focuses on renewable energy and an environmentally friendly approach more than most of its competitors, it also mentions decreased CO2 emissions, which can be lowered by 50%.
Though Hitachi does not quite beat Samsung when it comes to the price, its price range is still fairly low, starting at about £4,000.
Hitachi Yukai M air source heat pumps are an excellent choice, especially for those who are looking for an efficient option with potentially high savings over time. It is an environmentally friendly choice that has a lot to offer for any household.
For more information, read our full Hitachi Yukai M review.
Image credit: Vaillant
Vaillant flexoTHERM heat pumps can utilise three different sources for generating heat: water, air, and ground. When the Vaillant aroCOLLECT is connected, these air source heat pumps can become the most powerful available heat pumps on the market.
As a brand, Vaillant is one of the most well-known brands in the market for home heating. In fact, it has even won awards for its sleek designs over the years. There are two categories available for the flexoTHERM air source heat pump models: 230V in 5-, 8- and 11-kW options, and 400V in 15- and 19-kW outputs. If you’re looking for power, you should choose the 400V range.
Vaillant flexoTHERM 400V + aroCOLLECT is not the choice for those shopping with a tight budget, as the starting price is about £7,000. At the highest, you might end up paying up to £10,000.
If you are looking for a powerful heating system, then this one’s for you. Vaillant flexoTHERM 400V + aroCOLLECT also operates quietly, which can be a significant plus for many homeowners. However, if you have a tight budget and are looking for a more affordable option, best look elsewhere.
For more information, see the full Vaillant flexoTHERM 400V + aroCOLLECT review.
Image credit: Daikin
Daikin has over 90 years of experience in the market of home heating. Over the past decades, it has built an impeccable reputation through innovative technology. Daikin’s Altherma air source heat pumps are a great choice for most homes, and they can help you to reduce your electric bill.
One of the best features of this particular brand and model is that it operates in cold temperatures. In fact, they can operate in weather conditions as low as – 20°C. It has a decent efficiency as well, although it does not compare to some of its competitors in this instance.
The Daikin Altherma is on the heftier side when it comes to its price range. It has a starting cost of around £6,000 and can go up to £10,000.
If you live in an area that gets very cold, Daikin Altherma is your best choice. However, when it comes to efficiency and price, it does not compare to many others on the list. So, if your priority is to purchase an air source heat compressor that can operate in freezing temperatures, look no further.
For more information, read the full Daikin Altherma review.
Image credit: Nibe
Nibe hails from Sweden and it has been in the business for over 60 years. Nibe has an emphasis on practical design and cost-effective approach, as you might expect from a Scandinavian company. Their air source heat pumps are easy to install and they have a sleek design.
The Nibe F2040 is one of the most popular models from this company. It offers easy installation and generous output, without forgetting low operating temperatures. Nibe’s customer service is also available to help you with any questions you may have.
Nibe isn’t the most affordable brand on the market, but it’s reasonably priced when taking into account all its features. Nibe F2040 is well worth the money, even though you do have to dish out about £6,000 at the very minimum.
Nibe is one of the best choices for a small home. It can fit well into compact spaces and its quiet operation makes it a comfortable choice. Nibe F2040 is also energy-efficient and reliable, but the price is quite high, though well worth it.
For more information, see the full Nibe F2040 review.
Image credit: Calorex
Calorex air heat pumps captivate people’s attention with their user-friendly design that makes them easy to install. They also consume very little power and can be combined with other sources. Furthermore, they have low maintenance requirements, which can be a big plus for many homeowners.
A noteworthy aspect is also that Calorex heat pumps can utilise other sources, too. For instance, ground source heat pumps are available as well, which are excellent for the English weather. Calorex has some good qualities and benefits, but there are some cons too that should be taken into account when choosing an air source heat pump for your home.
The cost starts at about £4,000, which is not at the most affordable spectrum, especially when taking into account its features.
The main benefit of Calorex heat pumps is that they can also utilise other heat sources and for instance, their ground source heat pump has gotten great reviews. Other than that, Calorex does not really compare to the other options on this list, when it comes to price or efficiency.
Image credit: Danfoss
Danfoss has been on the market since 1977 and it has become a well-known company in the industry. It manufactures a large range of different kinds of heat pumps, making it possible to choose the right one to fit your home. They also have multiple different sizes of air source heat pumps to suit bigger and smaller homes.
Danfoss’s air source heat pumps output in a range from 12 to 16kW and will operate at – 7°C. Generally, Danfoss’ heat pumps are cost-effective and fairly affordable.
Danfoss air source heat pumps are fairly priced and while they may not be the cheapest heat pumps on the market, they are still worth the money.
If you are after air source heat pumps that fit into different spaces, Danfoss is for you. However, when it comes to its other features, such as output and efficiency, it does not compare to many other air source heat pumps on this list.
For more information, read our full Danfoss Heat Pump review.
Finding the best types of heat pumps can be challenging, which is why we’ve relied on a few different sources when reviewing and comparing different options.
Power output is one of the most important things you can consider when it comes to choosing the right air source heat pump. Most heat pumps have an output between 4 and 16 kW, and this is the measurement that tells you how powerful they are. The bigger the home or space you want to be heated, the higher the output should be.
When comparing the best air source heat pumps, you should take into account the size of the space or home, and take the power output into consideration when choosing the right one.
The efficiency of an air source heat pump is essential, and it is measured by the heating seasonal performance factor. In other words, the total heating output during the season is divided by the electricity the heating unit consumes.
Typically, the best air source heat pump is around 300% efficient, but this can vary based on the company and the model. Some air source heat pumps can even be up to 600% effective.
Of course, when choosing the right brand, you want to pay attention to their years of experience. The longer the company has been on the market, the more time they have had to encounter errors and problems, thus having had more time to fix them and optimise their products.
A great example of experience is Samsung, which does not necessarily specialise in air source heat pumps, but has been in the market of technology and appliances for a very long time. So, the name Samsung is well-known and reliable, and you will know that should any problems arise, they will know how to fix them.
Typically, heat pumps produce noise of about 40-60 decibels when measured from a distance of one metre away. Air source heat pumps can be louder than some air conditioning units, which is why comparing the noise levels is also essential.
After all, you want to ensure that you are comfortable with the sound levels that your new air source heat pump produces.
The weight of air source heat pumps varies a lot between models and brands. However, the typical weight starts from about 60 kilograms. In other words, moving an air source heat pump is not easy, and you should have a professional install it.
The weight does factor in when deciding to buy an air source heat pump, but if you are not planning to move it around a lot, it should not necessarily be your first criteria.
The prices of heat pumps vary. Typically, even the most affordable ones start from about £3,000 and the price can go up to £10,000. Usually, the most powerful units cost the most, but other features affect the price, too.
It is important to take pricing into account, but also consider the potential longer term savings to be made on energy bills from installing an air source heat pump. Comparing prices and available features of air source heat pumps is essential so you will get the best value for your money.
Most air source heat pumps come with a limited warranty. Typically, the warranty is about 5-7 years, but it can vary and should be checked before the purchase.
Installing an air source heat pump can have many benefits compared to regular heaters. For instance, it can help you to reduce your electric bill and promote an environmentally friendly approach.
Air source heat pumps can be an excellent way to improve energy efficiency at home. However, it may not be the best solution for everyone, so it is recommended to speak with a professional to explore your options before deciding on an air source heat pump.
Most air source heat pumps can be used for cooling and heating depending on the brand and model. This makes them versatile and useful throughout the seasons. You simply need to check the features in advance to ensure that both of these options are available.
Additionally, air source heat pumps can work with underfloor heating and make hot water, too.
As air source heat pumps use the outside air for heating and cooling, it can help you to reduce your energy bills. Especially when switching to an air source heat pump from an electric or coal-based system, the savings can be significant. However, it is important to note that air source heat pumps are not the silver bullet for reducing costs, and this can vary on a case by case basis.
The running costs of air source heat pumps depend on a few things, for instance, the efficiency and the temperature of the source. This means that converting freezing outside air into heat will be more expensive than converting a nice 10 degrees outside air into heat.
Also, air source heat pumps are a low-carbon heating option that can be very environmentally friendly because they use outside air for heating and cooling your home. So, you can easily reduce your carbon emissions and carbon footprint if you are switching from an electricity or coal-based system to an air source pump.
Air source heat pumps can be an excellent source of renewable energy and a low-carbon choice, but they are not right for everybody. However, if fossil fuels and sustainability are your concern, an air source pump can be worth considering.
The air source heat pump brands presented in this guide have all been thoroughly researched and compared. If you are looking for the best heat pump for your home, it is likely that you will find a good option from this list. It features the most well-known and reliable brands that have a proven track record in the industry, so you can purchase a heat pump that suits your needs.
As every air source heat pump is different and they have varying features, it is essential to compare them carefully before choosing one that is right for your home.
One of the biggest problems in air source heat pumps is converting very cold air to heat, as it is not very cost-effective. So, when temperatures drop below zero, they have to work harder to produce heat. However, converting higher temperatures into heat is, of course, much easier.
Also, another con of an air source heat pump is that turning off your gas boilers and connection can be expensive.
An air source heat pump (or ASHP for short) is a heat pump that uses a compression process to convert outside air into heat. The vapour compression system is the same that refrigeration systems use. They work with the same idea as air conditioners but in the other direction.
Most air source heat pumps can be used for both heating and cooling.
The main difference between the air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps is where they get heat from. Air source heat pumps get the source for heat from the air. Ground source heat pumps, on the other hand, get the heat from the ground.
Most air source heat pumps work well in lower temperatures. However, each model has a different limit for the lowest operating outside temperature, so this should be checked before buying a heat pump, particularly if you live in a very cold area.
The prices of air source heat pumps vary depending on the brand, model, and features. However, even the most affordable ones typically start from about £3,000.
We used an effective and comprehensive scoring list when we compared and reviewed the best air source heat pumps in the UK. Each point is essential in order to complete reviews that are in unison throughout the line.
We have considered each of these factors carefully to ensure that the reviews are detailed and thorough.
