What is Commercial Air Source Heat Pump and Why Do We Use Them?

Author: Justin

Aug. 06, 2024

Your Guide to Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps

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If you&#;re looking to lead your business into a greener future, commercial air source heat pumps are probably on your radar.

But are they an effective alternative to traditional gas boilers? How efficient are they? And what&#;s the deal when it comes to installation and running costs?

Here, we&#;ll explore everything to do with commercial air source heat pumps. That way, you can understand whether switching to this kind of green heating system is worthwhile. Hint: it is!

What are commercial air source heat pumps?

An air source heat pump is a device that uses electricity to heat or cool a building.

In the winter, it extracts warmth from the air outside (even in temperatures as low as -15°C!) and moves it indoors through a compressor or heat exchanger. This allows it to heat buildings and hot water in a way that feels pretty much the same as a normal boiler.

Meanwhile, in summer, it can work in the same way as an air conditioning unit. It moves heat from inside a building to outdoors, in order to cool it down.

Importantly, an air source heat pump heats (and cools) buildings without using fossil fuels &#; making it a sustainable alternative to traditional gas boilers.

These green heating systems are slowly gaining in popularity in the home. This is thanks in part to the government&#;s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which knocks off some of the upfront cost. But they&#;re also an effective solution for businesses.

A commercial air source heat pump will work in the same way as a domestic one, but it is designed especially to meet the added challenges that heating and cooling a commercial building comes with.

Are heat pumps suitable for commercial buildings?

Heat pumps are an effective alternative to traditional boilers for heating and cooling all sorts of commercial buildings &#; from offices to swimming pools, supermarkets and showrooms. At Clade, we&#;ve even supplied heat pumps to schools and libraries.

Not only are they an invaluable way of reducing a business&#; carbon footprint, but they&#;re also a whopping three or four times more efficient than traditional fossil-fuel-powered boilers. That means you can make the switch to a greener heating system without sacrificing your business&#; heating and cooling capabilities.

Here are some of the main benefits of making the switch.

  • Increased efficiency. Generate more heat than the electricity you use to power your heat pump. Air source heat pumps are three or four times more efficient than gas boilers.
  • Reduced energy bills. By switching from an old, inefficient fossil-fuel-powered boiler to a new air source heat pump, you can enjoy reduced energy bills.
  • Sustainability. Dramatically reduce your carbon footprint by relying on green energy to heat and cool your commercial building.
  • ESG. Switching to a greener heating system will show consumers that you are community-minded and care about the impact you have on those around you.

At Clade, we design and manufacture our air source heat pumps in the UK to each business&#; exact requirements, allowing us to meet a wide range of commercial use cases. Browse our selection of commercial heat pumps or get in touch to find out how we can help your business on its journey to net zero.

What do commercial air source heat pumps typically cost?

When it comes to the cost of a commercial air source heat pump, there are a number of things to bear in mind:

  • Initial investment
  • Running costs
  • Cost savings

Although commercial air source heat pumps require a significant initial investment, it&#;s important to look at the long-term financial impact of your heating system &#; moving from a cost to an efficiency model.

While savvy businesses are constantly on the lookout for ways to reduce their operating costs, fossil-fuel-powered heating systems &#; such as traditional gas boilers &#; make this tricky and unpredictable. Businesses can easily find themselves dealing with fuel shortages and cost increases with little to no warning.

On the other hand, an air source heat pump puts the control back in your hands. Businesses only need to fork out for the initial upfront investment and the electricity needed to power it (alongside the typical maintenance and servicing costs you&#;d need to bear in mind for any heating system).

It&#;s true that much of the UK&#;s electricity is still generated by fossil fuels. However, the proportion of renewable energy supplied to the National Grid is increasing. Plus, there are options for powering your heat pump using solar power or other renewable energy sources if you prefer &#; read our open-air swimming pool case study to learn how we achieved this on a past project.

Regardless, investing in a heat pump will see your reliance on fossil fuels &#; and your costs &#; decrease in the long-term, making it a sensible investment for the future of your business.

What&#;s the upfront cost of a commercial air source heat pump?

The initial cost of a commercial heat pump can vary hugely depending on the needs of each individual business. For instance, heating an office is very different from heating an indoor swimming pool!

Just a few key factors that will impact your total cost include:

  • Size of your business premises
  • How well the building is insulated
  • System power and efficiency
  • Required room temperature
  • Any noise reduction features needed
  • Whether you need a monobloc or split system (one that sits outside your building or one that has a unit both inside and outside)

Commercial air source heat pump grants

A range of heat pump grants and funding schemes are available to organisations, including:

  • Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS)
  • Clean Heat Grant
  • Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
  • Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund

However, tax breaks are the only support widely available to non-public sector organisations. It&#;s likely that heat pumps will qualify for the 50% first year allowance (FYA) for special rate plant and machinery. (Clade are not tax advisors and each case may be different &#; proper advice should be taken.)

Although it won&#;t allow you to fully expense your heat pump, the 50% special rate FYA does represent a significant uplift for special rate assets, compared to the 6% writing down allowance.

Alternatively, we can help most businesses to spread out the initial cost of an air source heat pump with commercial heat pump financing. Not only does our heat-as-a-service offering remove the upfront investment, but it also includes a full service package so that you don&#;t have to worry about any maintenance or servicing costs.

Just get in touch if you&#;d like to learn more about our commercial heat pump finance option for businesses.

What are the average heat pump running costs?

At the moment, heat pump running costs are fairly similar to the cost of operating a modern gas-powered boiler. However, heat pumps are around three or four times more efficient.

In fact, while the most efficient boilers can reach around 98% efficiency, air source heat pumps can reach around 300% efficiency. If you&#;re wondering how it&#;s possible for a heat pump to be more than 100% efficient, consider that air source heat pumps don&#;t actually create heat. Instead, they transfer it.

So, why aren&#;t air source heat pumps way cheaper to run? Well, it has to do with the fact that right now, electricity is around four times pricier than gas.

However, as the UK gets more and more of its electricity from renewable sources, heat pumps will certainly cost much less to run. At this point, they will undoubtedly be the vastly cheaper option.

How much could you save with a heat pump for your business?

Exactly how much money you could save by investing in a heat pump for your business will depend on what you&#;re switching from.

If you&#;re replacing an old, inefficient fossil-fuel-powered boiler with a new air source heat pump, your heating bills will undoubtedly drop dramatically.

Similarly, if you power your air source heat pump with renewable energy sources like solar panels, your cost savings will be still more. After all, you&#;ll be generating your own, free electricity as opposed to paying for electricity from the National Grid.

Best of all, electrification of heat by using a heat pump opens up the opportunity to use power at times when its cheap. This is called grid flexibility and will be a key part of our energy future.

Oversizing your thermal store makes this an even better opportunity which can dramatically cut utility costs by up to 20%.

Is my building right for a commercial air source heat pump?

Heat pumps are a suitable heating option for most businesses. In fact, air source heat pumps are the most popular kind for both residential and commercial buildings. This is because they&#;re generally less expensive and easier to install than the alternatives.

Want more information on Air Source Heat Pump Manufacturer? Feel free to contact us.

However, some commercial buildings are better suited to having an air source heat pump installed than others.

Here are a few questions that will give you an indication of whether an air source heat pump is a valid option for your business.

  • How old is the building? Older buildings can have heat pumps installed, but they&#;re generally less well set up for it.
  • How well-insulated is the building? Consider insulating the building properly before having a heat pump installed, to maximise its efficiency.
  • What is the existing heating system? Your air source heat pump may be able to use existing pipework that&#;s been used for a gas boiler.
  • What kind of radiators do you have? Air source heat pumps run at a lower temperature than boilers, so you&#;ll normally need larger radiators to get the same heat output.
  • Do you have suitable outdoor space? An air source heat pump will need to be installed outside, for instance in a garden, on a balcony or mounted on an outdoor wall.

Don&#;t worry if you&#;re not sure whether your commercial building is suitable for an air source heat pump. Our engineers will be able to assess your premises and come up with a bespoke solution to meet your needs &#; simply get in touch to learn more.

What are the alternatives to a commercial air source heat pump?

Air source heat pumps aren&#;t the only green heating option available to businesses. At Clade, we also offer ground source heat pumps and water source heat pumps.

Ground source heat pumps

A ground source heat pump extracts warmth from the ground instead of from the air.

Unlike an air source heat pump, it&#;s located underground, so it&#;s completely visually unobtrusive and quieter. It&#;s also even more efficient and has an even longer lifespan. However, you&#;ll usually face higher upfront costs and installation is more disruptive.

Water source heat pumps

Water source heat pumps are very similar to ground source heat pumps. However, instead of extracting heat from the ground, they extract it from water sources like ponds, rivers and lakes.

A water source heat pump is still more efficient than an air source heat pump. In fact, it&#;s more efficient than a ground source heat pump too! Plus, it can be installed without digging or drilling, so it&#;s usually cheaper and easier to install than a ground source system.

At Clade, we even offer a cascade heat pump system, which is a combination of our r290 air source heat pump and r600a water source heat pump. These systems work together to produce temperatures that are a direct replacement for a boiler.

Make the switch to a commercial heat pump

If you&#;re considering making the switch to a commercial heat pump, simply get in touch with us at Clade.

We have experience meeting a wide range of commercial use cases. Plus, we design, manufacture and install all our commercial heat pumps in the UK, to your exact specifications.

Let us help you on your journey to net zero!

A Guide to Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps

Commercial air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are becoming more and more popular among businesses as owners look to reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs. If you&#;re not sure what heat pumps are, or how they could save you money, then this guide will walk you through the essentials of commercial air source heat pumps, helping you understand their benefits, operation, and why they might be the right choice for your business.

Understanding Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps

At their core, commercial air source heat pumps are systems that transfer heat from the outside air to inside a building (or vice versa) to provide heating, cooling, and hot water. Unlike traditional heating systems that generate heat through combustion, ASHPs simply move existing heat, which makes them incredibly efficient and environmentally friendly.

The basic principle behind an air source heat pump is simple yet effective. It absorbs heat from the outdoor air into a liquid refrigerant, which is then compressed to increase its temperature. The heated refrigerant is circulated through the building&#;s heating system, releasing the heat where needed. In warmer months, this process can be reversed to cool the building, making ASHPs an all-season solution.

Heat pumps are effective at transferring heat even when the weather outside is cold, as while it might not be apparent to us, there is still heat in the air at low temperatures. Your pump may be slightly less efficient when its colder, but you&#;ll still be able to heat your home and hot water to the same temperature as normal.

Supporting Business Environmental Goals with ASHPs

Since businesses are increasingly held accountable for their environmental impact, ASHPs can be a powerful tool to help them achieve these green objectives. The UK government has set ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions, and businesses play a crucial role in meeting these goals. ASHPs, with their exceptional efficiency and reliance on renewable energy sources, offer a clear path forward.

Under the Climate Change Act ( Target Amendment) Order , the UK government has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by compared to levels. It also introduced the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), which means that large businesses in the UK are required to conduct energy audits every four years under the ESOS and are encouraged to identify cost-effective energy-saving measures.

What&#;s more, under the SECR framework, which came into effect in April , large UK companies must report their energy use, carbon emissions, and energy efficiency actions in their annual reports. This framework aims to simplify carbon and energy reporting, encouraging transparency and incentivising the adoption of energy efficiency measures.

By adopting ASHPs, businesses can significantly reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, thereby lowering their carbon emissions. This not only helps in meeting regulatory requirements and environmental targets but also positions businesses as leaders in sustainability. In a market where consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever, demonstrating a commitment to green practices can enhance brand reputation and customer loyalty.

How Much Could an ASHP Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?

The exact amount of carbon reduction that a heat pump could bring to your business depends on several factors, including the size of your premises, your current heating system, and the type of heat pump installed. However, it&#;s not uncommon for businesses to see a substantial decrease in their carbon footprint when:

  • Switching from Gas Boilers: If you&#;re moving from a conventional gas boiler to an air source heat pump, you could reduce your carbon emissions by about 60%. For a medium-sized business, this could equate to several tonnes of CO2 saved annually.
  • Replacing Electric Heaters: The savings are even more significant if you&#;re transitioning from electric heaters to heat pumps. Given that heat pumps can be three to four times more efficient, the carbon savings could be in the region of 75% or more.
  • Upgrading from Oil Heating Systems: Oil heating is less efficient and emits more CO2 compared to gas boilers. By switching to a heat pump, your business could see carbon emission reductions of up to 70% or more, depending on the efficiency of the heat pump system installed. This shift not only significantly lowers your carbon footprint but also reduces dependency on oil, a volatile and increasingly expensive fuel source.

For businesses able to invest in ground source heat pumps, the efficiency and carbon savings can be even higher, thanks to the stable temperatures underground.

The Cost of Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps

It&#;s understandable to be concerned about costs when committing to using a heat pump system for your business. This section covers all the initial costs involved with installation as well as highlighting what you may save in the long run.

What Does It Cost to Buy and Install?

The cost of getting an ASHP system up and running varies, usually between £6,000 and £18,000, but this range depends on a few things, including the size of your space and how much heating or cooling it needs. This will determine how big and powerful your ASHP should be, with larger systems typically costing more to install. Also, if you opt for a model with the latest features for better efficiency and performance, it might cost a bit more in the beginning, but you&#;ll stand to make greater savings further down the line.

Don&#;t forget, the installation process itself can affect the price, as depending on how your building is laid out, whether any extra work needs to be done to fit the system, and how it integrates with any existing heating systems you have, you could end up needing to pay a bit more.

It&#;s best to think of initial costs not just as a bill to pay but as an investment in your business&#;s future. A well-chosen ASHP can lead to lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint, which are good for both the planet and your bottom line. To make sure you&#;re choosing the right system and getting the most out of your investment, it&#;s a smart move to work with professionals who can assess your needs and help plan the installation, as this way, you&#;ll have a system that fits your business perfectly, saving you money and helping the environment for years to come.

How Much Will Running the System Cost?

Once your air source heat pump (ASHP) is installed, the next thing to consider is the cost of running it. ASHPs are known for their efficiency, which is a big advantage for businesses aiming to lower their energy expenses. These systems work by moving heat from the outside air into your building, a process that uses much less electricity than traditional heating methods that generate heat from electrical energy or by burning fossil fuels.

The efficiency of an ASHP is measured by its Coefficient of Performance (CoP), which shows how much heat is produced for every unit of electricity consumed. Commercial ASHPs typically have CoPs ranging from 2.5 to 4. This means they can produce up to four times the amount of heat per unit of electricity used, leading to direct savings on your electricity bills. Traditional gas boilers, on the other hand, are only around 90% efficient, meaning that for every unit of energy they consume, they produce only 0.9 units of heat.

However, the actual running costs of an ASHP can vary based on several factors:

  • The size of the commercial space and the demand for heating and cooling.
  • The energy efficiency of the specific ASHP model, with newer models usually being more efficient.
  • Electricity prices, which can change based on market conditions and energy policies.
  • Usage patterns, including how often the system is used and the temperatures you&#;re aiming for.

To optimise running costs, consider the following:

  • Ensure your premises are well-insulated to make the ASHP work more efficiently.
  • Use smart energy management systems to better control the ASHP&#;s operation.
  • Regular maintenance is key to keeping the system running efficiently, preventing unnecessary energy use, and extending the unit&#;s lifespan.

What Savings Can Be Expected?

Businesses that switch to ASHPs can look forward to significant savings on their energy bills, mainly because these systems don&#;t rely on traditional fuels to operate. Research backs up the potential for these savings, showing that air source heat pumps can cut fuel costs by up to 53%. With ongoing advancements in technology and more efficient models hitting the market, the financial benefits of ASHPs are only set to increase. This makes them an increasingly attractive option for businesses aiming for sustainable heating solutions.

Buildings with good insulation see even greater benefits from ASHPs, as proper insulation enhances the pump&#;s performance, leading to even more significant savings on energy bills and a more substantial reduction in carbon footprint. This doesn&#;t mean that properties with poorer insulation can&#;t enjoy the advantages of ASHPs, but savings may not be at quite the same level as they are for those in optimal buildings.

What&#;s more, integrating ASHPs with other renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, can lead to additional savings and environmental benefits. By using solar panels to generate electricity that can power the ASHPs, businesses can further reduce their reliance on the grid and decrease their energy costs.

Are Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps Suitable for Your Business Premises?

Understanding if a commercial heat pump is right for your business premises hinges on several key factors:

  • Age of the Building: Older buildings may not be as inherently efficient for heat pump installation due to their design and insulation standards. However, this doesn&#;t rule them out entirely, as with the right modifications, a heat pump could still be a viable option.
  • Current Heating System: The feasibility of integrating an air source heat pump may depend on the existing heating infrastructure. In some cases, it&#;s possible to utilise the pipework from an old boiler system, which can ease the transition.
  • Insulation Quality: The level of insulation in your property is crucial. Effective insulation ensures that the lower operating temperatures of heat pumps&#;typically around 50-55°C, compared to traditional boilers&#; 65-80°C &#;still provide adequate heating without excessive energy use.
  • Radiator Compatibility: Due to the lower heat output, existing radiators may need to be assessed for compatibility. Larger radiators or underfloor heating systems might be necessary to achieve the desired warmth, given the pump&#;s lower temperature range.

Commercial Air Source vs. Ground Source Heat Pumps: Which Are Right for You?

Choosing between air source and ground source heat pumps for commercial properties boils down to specific needs, budget, and site conditions. Air source heat pumps stand out for their ease of installation and lower initial costs, making them a go-to for businesses with limited space or those looking for a quick sustainability boost without extensive groundwork. They&#;re adaptable and can fit into various settings, offering a straightforward path to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

A ground source heat pump (GSHP), while requiring a higher upfront investment and more space for installation, excels in efficiency and long-term savings. GSHPs are ideal for businesses with enough land and a commitment to achieving deep, long-lasting reductions in both operational costs and environmental impact. GSHPs are particularly suited to larger commercial spaces with high heating and cooling demands, promising a significant return on investment over time through reduced energy bills.

Find the Right Commercial Air Source Heat Pump For You

Exploring the right commercial air source heat pump tailored to your business&#;s specific needs can significantly impact your operational efficiency and sustainability efforts. With advancements in heat pump technology, finding a system that aligns with your environmental goals and budgetary constraints is more accessible than ever. For expert advice and a bespoke quote that fits your requirements, consider reaching out to our team here at Cotswold Energy &#; let us guide you to the perfect solution with the latest in heat pump technology.

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