Air Source Heat Pumps (space heating)
A heat pump works by extracting heat
from the environment and transferring that heat to your home. They need some
electricity to run, but because their heat output is higher than the electricity
input, they are highly efficient, low carbon heating systems
Introduction
This page details the criteria used to select air source
heat pumps for toptenuk.org. The heat pumps displayed here are all able to supply
heat for space heating or space heating and domestic hot water. Air-based
distribution systems are not included in this list – only wet heating systems.
Heat pumps which only supply domestic hot water only are covered in a separate
category on the topten website, Domestic Hot Water Heat Pumps.
For space heating and domestic hot water heat pumps, only those
that reach the minimum criteria specified below are displayed on the website. For
more details on how they operate and things to look out for when purchasing
one, please see our Product Guide.
Definition
ASHP (Air
Source Heat Pump)
|
Heat is
collected from the air surrounding the device and the heat exchanged with a
wet heating system. These are also called air-to-water heat pumps.
|
Selection Criteria
The minimum criteria to be shown on toptenuk.org is shown in
Table 1
which covers certification and energy performance metrics.
Table
1: Current selection criteria for air
source heat pumps.
Criteria
|
Eligibility
|
Certification
|
MCS certified or equivalent
|
|
Product
Type
|
Must be serial product (i.e. no prototypes/one-off
systems)
|
Energy Measurement
|
Must be measured according to EN14825
|
MCS Seasonal
Coefficient of Performance (SCOP)*
|
SCOP at 35°C ≥ 4.08
|
SCOP at
55°C ≥ 3.09
|
*SCOPs calculated using average climate conditions and design criteria defined by Commission Regulation (EU) No. 813/2013.
Relevant Regulations
The following
regulations were the basis for the above selection criteria for heat pumps.
Terms/glossary
MCS
Microgeneration Certification Scheme is an industry-led quality assurance scheme, which demonstrates the quality and reliability of approved products. Heat pumps are tested to ensure they meet MCS standards. The scheme also certified installers.
Efficiency class at 35°C
Energy rating according the the energy label for space heating at 35°C
Efficiency class at 55°C
Energy rating according the the energy label for space heating at 55°C
Coefficient of Performance (COP)
The Coefficient of Performance (COP) - displayed as a number - is a term used to describe the efficiency of a heat pump. The number represents the ratio between useful heating or cooling and the energy required (ratio of heat energy produced to input electrical energy. For example, if you had a heat pump that used 1kWh of electricity to produce 4kWh of usable heat for a home, it would have a COP of 4.
SCOP - Seasonal Coefficient of Performance.
The SCOP gives an indication of the anticipated energy efficiency of a heat pump over a year using standard data across Europe i.e. the average COP (definition above) during a heating season. The temperatures are the flow temperatures of the hot water round your heating system. We have selected 35 and 55 degree Celsius as these are typical for heat pumps with underfloor heating and radiators respectively. Our SCOP figures are those calculated based on the methodology used by MCS. Generally the higher the number, the more efficient the heat pump is.
EHPA or CH quality label
A quality label number for heat pumps based on a common set of requirements. Further details can be found here. The United Kingdom are one of the participating countries (established in the UK by BEAMA and the UK heat pump association).
Heat output A2/W35 (kW)
The useful heat output delivered by the heat pump under the A2/W35 test condition where:
- W (water) = inlet water temperature [°C] or heater outlet water temperature [°C].
- A (air) = air inlet temperature [°C].
Noise level inside (dB)
Indoor sound power level according to EN12102 according to manufacturer's specifications.
Noise level external (dB)
Outdoor Sound power level according to EN12102 according to manufacturer's specifications.
Refrigerant
The refrigerant fluid used to transfer heat in a heat pump, which absorbs heat at low temperature and low pressure and releases heat at higher temperature and pressure, usually with changes in the fluid's state.
Smart grid ready
Indicates if the heat pump systems feature control technology that enables the individual heat pump to be integrated into a smart grid.
Inverter technology
Indicates if the heat pump has an inverter-driven variable speed compressor which allows the heat pump to operating between and within its full range by analysing the temperature and conditions inside the home and adjusting the output to maximise efficiency and conform. Heat pumps without this technology are no able to control their energy output (rather it cycles between on and off).
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