Air-to-air heat pumps heat and cool your home using energy from the air. They work by capturing heat from outside air then transferring it indoors to warm up your home. In the summer, that process is reversed to keep you cool.
In this article, we’ll look at how they work, their benefits, installation costs and the grants that could make them even more affordable. Let’s get into it.
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What is an air-to-air heat pump?
An air-to-air heat pump is a heating and cooling system powered by electricity that moves heat between indoor and outdoor air to warm up – or cool down – your home.
Unlike air-to-water systems, which transfer energy into radiators or underfloor heating, air-to-air heat pumps deliver warm or cool air directly through vents.
They’re incredibly efficient, often producing three times more energy than they consume. All so you can keep your home comfortable season to season.
They started growing in popularity in the 1990s in Germany and Sweden where winters can be bitingly cold. Today, as companies and countries around the world look to move away from burning fossil fuels, they’re quickly becoming a go-to solution for greener, more affordable heating and cooling.
How do air-to-air heat pumps work?
An outdoor unit is installed discreetly on the outside of your property and connects to one or more indoor units.
On cold days, this unit extracts warmth from the air and the heat is absorbed into a liquid (called a refrigerant). This liquid is then turned into a gas and compressed to make it even hotter. The gas then travels to the indoor unit where it’s released to warm up your home.
When it’s warm, this processed is reversed. The indoor unit absorbs warm air indoors and transfers it via refrigerant to the outdoor unit which then releases the heat into the air outside.
Heads up: air-to-air heat pumps don’t provide hot water! If you want a system that does, an air-to-water heat pump could be a better solution for you.
What are the benefits of air-to-air heat pumps?
Air-to-air heat pumps are designed to make your home more comfortable all year round, while also keeping running costs, as well as your home’s environmental impact, in check.
Stay cool
Air-to-air systems don’t just heat your home, they cool it too. Just what you need as our summers get hotter.
Lower your carbon footprint
Unlike gas or oil boilers, they run on electricity and take heat directly from the air. This massively reduces your home’s environmental impact.
Connect to your current system
An air-to-air pump can work alongside your existing heating system, including solar panels. Great for an even greener home!
Perfect for smaller homes
The outdoor units are usually smaller than air-to-water alternatives. This makes air-to-air heat pumps a great choice for flats or homes with limited outdoor space.
Want to find out more about how heat pumps work? Check out our detailed guide.
What are the challenges of air-to-air heat pumps?
As you weigh up your options, here are a few things to be aware of:
Less efficient in extreme weather
Air-to-air heat pumps become less efficient when temperatures drop below -10°C – not a temperature most parts of the UK reach very often! But when this happens, they use more electricity to generate the energy you need to warm your home.
Lower heat supply
Compared with oil or gas boilers, they pump out lower levels of heat. This means it may take slightly longer to get your home to the right temperature.
Extra costs to consider
The total cost of an air-to-air heat pump can vary depending on your home. Factors like the size of your property, how many rooms you want to heat, and your current setup all make a difference. These systems don’t provide hot water and are unlikely to work with an existing cylinder, so you may need a separate solution for that.
In colder parts of the country, you might also need some backup heating or extra insulation.
These extra costs are usually quite low, and you can offset them against the long-term savings you’re making on your energy bills.
You certainly shouldn’t overlook these challenges, but it’s fair to say that many households find the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, particularly in areas with milder climates.
Are there any alternative heat pumps to air-to-air?
If air-to-air isn’t the right fit, there are two other kinds of heat pumps worth exploring.
Air-to-water heat pumps extract heat from the air outside and transfer it into water, which then circulates through radiators or underfloor heating. They’re ideal for homes that already have central heating and can provide hot water as well.
Ground source heat pumps take heat from the ground via buried pipes. They’re more efficient but can be more expensive to install. Plus, they’re often better suited to larger plots of land.
Is an air-to-air heat pump suitable for my home?
Air-to-air heat pumps work well for homes in milder climates. They can be suitable for all different types of properties, but you do need to have outdoor space for the pump itself. And remember, while air-to-air units can complement a conventional heating system, they don’t provide hot water.
What grants are available in the UK for an air-to-air heat pump?
The only financial support currently available for installing air-to-air heat pumps is the ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) scheme. This is just for low-income households but the money can be used for any type of heat pump. Under ECO4 Flex, local authorities can refer private homes where residents are living in fuel poverty – or on a low income – for energy efficiency improvements.
You may have also come across the main government grant programme – the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). This grant can’t be used for air-to-air heat pumps. Instead you can get support of up to £7,500 for air-to-water and ground source heat pumps.
Why we focus on air-to-water heat pumps at Hive
You might notice we don’t currently sell air-to-air heat pumps. That’s because at Hive, we focus on air-to-water systems – these can heat your whole home and your hot water too.
Air-to-water heat pumps are a better fit for most UK homes. They work efficiently in all weather conditions and connect to your existing radiators or underfloor heating. They’re also eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant, which can make installation even more affordable.
So while air-to-air systems can be great for some spaces, we’ve chosen to specialise in the option that’s more accessible, more versatile, and helps more households move toward low-carbon living.
Our costs include a free home assessment, the system itself, installation and labour, plus a 5-year warranty. We’ll also take your old boiler away and recycle it!
Get a heat pump installation quote today
Find out more about air source heat pumps
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Heat pump grants in the UK: Everything you need to know
The government has a range of grants available that make getting a heat pump begin to really make sense, which can provide £7,500 to help with installation.
Heat pumps vs gas boilers: What’s the difference?
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