Installing an Air Source Heat Pump - What’s Involved?

The Energy Conservation Group run through the process of installing a heat pump

A standard heat pump installation* should take 2-3 days; 2 days for the installation of the equipment and 1 day to commission the Ecodan Air Source Heating system.

There are 3 principle steps in an installation; installing the air source heat pump unit, replacing a standard hot water tank with a twin coil tank specifically designed to optimise hot water supply from a renewable energy system, and adapting the existing central heating pipe-work to connect the component parts.

We aim to ensure that installing the air source heat pump unit optimises efficiency and minimizes noise. Ideally the unit should be as near to the water tank as possible in order to minimize heat loss in the piping system. Together, we (that's you and The Energy Conservation Group) will determine where it goes by balancing considerations of efficiency, security, and noise to determine its optimum position.

Replacing the existing hot water tank is necessary to optimise performance of the system.

Adapting the piping system should also be straightforward, with the only significant addition being the pipe run that links to and from the Ecodan unit.

The Government expects to grant air source heating "permitted development" status soon. However, until then you may need to apply for planning permission via www.planningportal.gov.uk and notify your local Building Control department, we always recommend checking these things first. The only concerns are noise, vibration and proximity to neighbours. As the Ecodan is the quietest system on the market, you should not experience any difficulties.