Interest in heat pumps continues throughout Ireland with lots of questions being asked by homeowners keen to upgrade to a renewable heating solution, those considering building their own home and those considering buying a new build home.
An air source heat pump is a fantastic heating option worth considering and if you are thinking of a heat pump for your home, Grant is here to help you on your journey to more sustainable home heating.
Heat pumps not only provide reliable warmth year-round but are also highly efficient, cost-effective and far more environmentally friendly than traditional fossil fuel heating methods.
Most heat pumps are installed in new build homes but that’s not to say you can’t install a heat pump as part of a heating upgrade – this is possible but first you will need to have your home assessed so you can consider what is needed as part of the retrofit to make your home heat pump ready.
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To help alleviate the confusion and misconceptions about heat pumps, we ask Barry Gorman, national renewable sales manager from heating technology manufacturer, Grant – a globally recognised leader in heating technology – all the questions that you want the answers to.
What is a heat pump system and how does it work?
“It’s quite simple really: air source heat pumps use the heat energy that is contained within the air, and they convert this into energy that can be used within your home via ‘wet heating systems’ such as radiators or underfloor heating.”
For those who are considering a heat pump for their existing home, Barry said: “It’s important to ensure that your home is heat pump ready before you make the switch. If it’s not, then you must take steps to make your home airtight before a heat pump is installed. For a heat pump to work most efficiently, your home needs to be well insulated to prevent as much heat from escaping as possible. If a home is poorly insulated, higher temperatures will be needed to produce adequate heat throughout the home, which can result in higher home heating bills, which essentially defeats the purpose of the technology. A Ber assessment will give guidance on the measures needed to achieve the standard required before you make your decision on whether a heat pump is best for your home or not.
How much does it cost to install a heat pump and what financial support is available?
“For new build homes there are currently no grants available. However, you can receive a grant of up to €6,500 from SEAI following a technical assessment and compliance with its relevant requirements. As an example, if you are heating a three- or four-bedroom home using a 4kW heat pump, paired with an integrated hot water cylinder and underfloor heating the cost would come in around €7,000-€10,000 including costs for additional materials needed and labour.”
What are the best heat emitters to install with a heat pump?
“If you’re installing a heat pump as part of a retrofit in an existing home, it is highly likely that you will have to upgrade your current radiators. This is because older radiators will have been sized for the higher flow temperatures from a boiler, and efficient heat pumps need a lower flow temperature, paired with larger radiators to produce adequate heat for the property. When it comes to choosing the best heat emitters to complement your heat pump, the lower the heating system flow temperature needed, the lower the running costs. Underfloor heating only needs a temperate of 35-40 degrees, whereas radiators typically run at 40–48 degrees, thus having a higher running cost than underfloor heating.
Are there any myths or misconceptions about heat pumps that customers have presented to you?
“There is a very common misconception that heat pumps are expensive to run. However, if the building is correctly insulated, the heating system is sized and specified correctly, and the heat pump is installed to a high standard, then there is no reason why your heat pump system won’t run efficiently. Another reason why homeowners may be facing high running costs is because they are adjusting their thermostats too often. Avoid adjusting the thermostat regularly especially when it’s cold outside, as the heat pump is then being asked to work harder which can affect the performance. Ensure your thermostats remain at a warm temperature (18 degrees for bedrooms and 20 degrees for living areas) and the heat pump will reach this temperature.
What is it about the Grant Aerona R290 heat pump that makes it a perfect fit for Irish homeowners?
“Further demonstrating Grant’s commitment to innovation and position as a leader in sustainable home heating, the new Grant Aerona R290 heat pump is the only heat pump designed in Ireland specifically for the local climate. By this we mean that the full R290 heat pump range has been specifically designed and tested to perform at consistent high levels of efficiency in higher moisture levels typically associated with the Irish and UK climate.”
Grant, based in Co Offaly, has been at the forefront of innovative home heating solutions for almost 50 years. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing system or integrate a heat pump into a new build, their experts can guide you in making the right choice.
If you are in the process of planning your new build home, let Grant design your heating system free of charge. All you have to do is send planning drawings and your preferred choice of heat emitters (aluminium radiators and/or underfloor heating) to heatpump@grant.ie
Visit grant.ie for more information on Grant’s range of innovative heating solutions and learn more about the new Grant Aerona R290 heat pump here
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