Outdoor Air-source Heat Pumps
If it is not possible to drill in a ground probe, borehole or install a surface absorber on the property, then consideration should be given to an outside air heat pump. This converts the energy of the outside air into heat and creates a comfortable temperature inside the house.
An outdoor air source heat pump will not cover the heating requirements all year round, however this type of heat pump does offer economic benefits. The heat pump will operate at temperatures as low as minus fifteen degrees centigrade, at this point the energy content of the cold air becomes negligible. So we strongly recommend the installation or retention of a complementary heat source such as an oil-fired boiler or electrical boiler. In general the size of economic benefits of an outside air heat pump depend on the local climatic conditions.
Outdoor air-source heat pumps come in a range of sizes, ranging from 6Kw through to 14KW.
The new range of NIBE machines are very quiet (less than 60 decibels at four metres), this is quieter than a normal conversation.
Air source heat pumps have a lower initial investment cost (due to the saving of groundworks or boreholes). However they are not as efficient as a ground source pump, so that the rate saving is slower. This is offset by the lower investment cost.
