Heat Pumps

Heat pumps work like a fridge but in reverse. They extract heat from the air and transfer this heat from one location to another using the following principles

Evaporation The refrigerant in the heat pump evaporates at low pressure and absorbs heat from the outdoor air. This part is the fan unit that sits on the outside of the outside of the building.

Compression: The vaporized refrigerant is compressed, which increases its temperature. This part of the heat pump sits inside the building and exchanges the heat into the air directly or the heating system.

Condensation: The hot pressurized refrigerant releases its heat to the indoor air as it condenses into a liquid.

Expansion: The liquid refrigerant is expanded to a low-pressure, low temperature state and the cycle begins again.

For example, in a typical installation Solaris Green Energy fit what is known as a  Air to Water heat pump. This system will draw air from outside the property and heat the water in radiators in each room and the hot water cylinder for to be used in showers and baths.

How efficient are heat pumps?

Heat pumps are very efficient in comparison to traditional Oil-fired boilers used in most houses. They typically are electrical devices connected to your electricity supply.

They have a coefficient of performance (COP), which is a term comparing the amount of energy used to run the heat pump to the the corresponding energy produced by it. The COP value is usually a ratio number and most heat pumps on the market have a COP value of 4, meaning that for every 1kW of electricity used, you get 4kW of energy produced.

This makes them much more efficient than typical oil or gas-powered heating systems.

How do heat pumps operate on a day-to-day basis?

A heat pump works differently from a traditional oil or gas central heating system, there is no need for you to switch on and off the heat pump like you would with a boiler. 

The user sets a desired temperature on the internal thermostat, and sensors in the heat pump monitor both the external and internal temperatures, heating the water in the system and the room to the desired temperature automatically.

Do heat pumps improve my BER Rating?

Yes if the house is well insulated and if installed under the correct conditions a heat pump can bring a lower energy B2 house up to a B1 or an A rating. This will depend on the type of installation involved and the current BER rating of the house building.

Can a heat pump be combined with other green energy solutions in my home?

Yes, in fact – they work better that way! Whether you want to generate your electricity via PV-Solar Panels, harvest the power of wind or even just feed warm water from thermodynamic heating solar panels into your system, the result will always be a more efficient heating system!

How much do heat pumps cost?

There are many considerations when installing a heat pump. The considerations include the size of the heat pump, its capacity and the size and location within the property. 

Solaris Green Energy recommends that there is a Technical Assessment carried out before any installation commences. This is crucial to ensure that the heat pump can run as efficiently as possible and is as cost-effective to the householder. 

 A typical cost varies between €8000 and €15000 or more depending on the installation. The cost of the installation is reduced by the current grant SEAI grant scheme, which awards up to €6500 for houses and €4500 for apartments. These grants are available to properties rated B2 or higher in BER. 

Got any further questions?

If you are interested in hearing further about heat pumps and how they can help you save money on your heating bills contact us today.

Phone: 085 876 8753