Developed countries like the US and UK have taken a lot of time to adopt heating pumps. Their governments have proposed numerous plans to make a gradual shift towards eco-friendly living more tranquil and inexpensive. These renewable energy plans got a lot of attention from people and later, people got to know the efficiency of heating pumps.
Heating pumps are the best and efficient alternative to fuel, oil, and electrical machinery to maintain both cooling and heating environments. Gas furnaces having .98 on the efficiency scale, are also a fair competition for heating pumps but fail as a long term solution. Heating pumps provide more heating and cooling capacity than the amount of energy required for running them.
What Is a Heating Pump?
Heating pumps refer to the electrical systems that can pump or move the heat energy from one place to another with a compressor and a circle-shaped structure of liquid or gas refrigerant, and are commonly used for extraction of heat from the exterior sources and pumped homes/offices.
Extraction and transfer by pumping heat energy are more efficient and uses a lesser amount of electricity than the conventional process of converting heat energy by electricity only. Before the springs arrive, this extraction process can be reversed, and the heating pump unit works as an air conditioning device.
Here are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Heat Pumps
Before purchasing a heating pump system or switching from your conventional appliances, there are a few advantages and disadvantages of Heating pumps you should keep in mind.
Advantages of Heating Pumps
Efficient Running Costs
Heating pumps are more preferable as compared to the appliances based on combustion when it comes to the running costs. The excellent efficiency of Heating systems offers substantial long-term savings.
Safety
Heating pumps are safer to use as compared to combustion-based heating machinery.
Low-maintenance
Heating pumps need less maintenance as compared to combustion-based heating systems. Only once a year, you would need to check some precise details by a DIY approach quickly.
Carbon Radiations
The heat pumps minimize the carbon radiations while running. Its efficiency in converting energy to heat is remarkable.
Quick Cooling
Mostly in Summers, Air to Air heating pumps can be used as Air conditioners. This reverse process helps you get a cooling environment during warm periods.
Longevity
The viable service-period of heating pumps is relatively longer than the average longevity of electrical appliances.
Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme
The government of developed countries offers various innovative strategies to promote the installation of renewable heat systems. Domestic RHI schemes and Non-Domestic RHI are available to state eligibility of homeowners, self-builders, and business industries for relaxation in payments of Heating Pumps.
Disadvantages of Heating Pumps
Huge Upfront Rates
Heating pumps come at a considerable upfront cost, while their operating costs are the reason for the long-term savings on electricity bills and lesser carbon emission.
Complex Installation
Installation of heating pumps is a hefty task and requires professional experience to understand the transformation of heat energy, cooling & heating needs for household purposes.
Doubtful Sustainability
Few of the used fluids for heat transformation lack sustainability, thus raise environmental concerns. That is why biodegradable fluids are preferable to use in heating pumps.
Cool Climate
Heating pumps experience problems in cold climates, where systems eventually get damaged, thus offering less efficiency in the cold conditions. However, you can choose a high SPF system (Seasonal Performance Factor) to tackle such issues.
Carbon Neutral
Heat pumps mostly rely on electrical sources to run and ensure carbon neutrality. The excellent carbon-neutral model of heating pumps is most suitable for solar energy utilization.
Planning Permit/License
Unique planning permits and licenses are mandatory in Wales and Northern Ireland, while in England and Scotland, it changes concerning the location and size of your home/office.
Noise
The condensers included in the external unit of the heating pump can be noisy.