FAQs

A heat pump, be it air or ground, is basically a boiler that transfers heat from an outside renewable source of heat to a required internal location via heat emitters. The source of heat is our Sun and harnessed from either the outside air, the ground or water source ( in some instances waste heat from other machinery).

Heat pumps work by using a refrigerant, which is a gas that can change from a liquid to a gas and back again. The refrigerant is pumped through a series of coils, where it absorbs heat from the source, turns into a gas which is compressed and then releases this heat via heat exchangers.

The heat pump does use electricity to power the compressor, which pumps the refrigerant through the various stages. However, the amount of energy that the heat pump can deliver is much greater than the amount of electricity that it uses. This is because the heat pump is not actually creating heat, it is simply moving heat from one place to another.

Heat pumps are a very efficient way to heat and cool buildings. They can be used to heat homes in the winter and cool them in the summer. Heat pumps are also used to provide all of your hot water for domestic use.

There are three main types of heat pumps:

• Air-source heat pumps: These heat pumps extract heat from the outside air. They are the most common type of heat pump.

• Ground-source heat pumps: These heat pumps extract heat from the ground. They are more efficient than air-source heat pumps, but they are also more expensive to install.

• Water-source heat pumps: These heat pumps extract heat from water. They are the most efficient type of heat pump, but they are also the most expensive to install.

Heat pumps are a great way to save energy, reduce CO2 emissions  and money on your heating. If you are considering a new heating system, a heat pump is a great option.

Yes, heat pump systems can be designed and installed into all types and ages of buildings.

A full design is required whatever age a building maybe, but we have successfully installed heat pump systems into houses dating back to Tudor times over 500 years old.

While modern boilers can be up to 90% efficient, heat pumps are between 300% - 500% efficient (if designed correctly), this is because they harvest more energy than they consume.

Both ground and air source heat pumps offer significant advantages over conventional heating systems such as oil and gas, or indeed alternatives such as biomass and LPG, specifically reducing energy consumption. Air Source and Ground Source heat pumps have different key benefits, you can find these on Our Services page

Yes! Solaris will ensure that the system that we design for you is sized to meet the entire heat loss of your house and to deliver all the heating and hot water that you require. We can also provide cooling via chilled water for when the seasons change.

The heat pump itself will work perfectly well, even in the middle of winter when it’s well below freezing outside. 

Yes, your heat pump will provide all your domestic hot water requirements and actually prioritises this service over heating. A bespoke hot water cylinder is required and possibly some form of buffer vessel, depending on the design.

The heat pump will automatically turn off the heating when the outside temperature gets about 18ᵒC but will continue to heat the domestic hot water, so that you don’t need to adjust the heat pump in the summer.

Heat pumps require maintenance like any other mechanical equipment. We do recommend that your system is checked by us each year to make sure that it’s still running as efficiently as it should. For more details on what is involved, please visit our Aftercare page

Yes, heat pumps work perfectly well with radiators, provided everything is designed correctly. The key to designing a heat pump system is to ensure that the distribution system, be it radiators or underfloor heating or combination of both, can operate at the lower flow temperatures produced by a heat pump. Underfloor heating systems cover a large area, which means they can afford a low flow temperature and still deliver the heat required by your home. So, when it comes to radiators, we just need to make sure they are sized correctly to enable the heat pump to operate at a lower, more efficient flow temperature than a traditional boiler. As part of our MCS service, we carry out detailed design calculations which include a radiator schedule for rooms that are heated by radiators.

New-builds will automatically have good levels of insulation in compliance with the current building regulations. However, older properties may lack insulation to either external walls &/or the roof and a good design is key to ensure your heat pump is sized appropriately.

As a heat pump operates at a lower temperature than a conventional heating system, it’s important to retain as much heat in your home as possible by properly insulating the walls, floor & roof if possible. A well-insulated home will not only allow your heat pump to warm your house more effectively & affordably, it will also retain that heat for longer.

A well insulated house will require a lower capacity heat pump and smaller heat emitters reducing your upfront costs. If you are applying for the governments BUS Grant, you will need to make sure that you have no outstanding recommendations for roof or cavity wall insulation on your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) as those elements are mandatory.

If your property has an existing EPC you can find it here

In most cases, installing a heat pump is considered a small enough change to make it a ‘permitted development’ in domestic properties. The restrictions are as follows

• The heat pump must comply with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) Planning Standards (or equivalent).

• No other heat pump or a wind turbine has been installed on the building (additional installations require planning permission).

•  Any outdoor unit should be no bigger than 0.6 cubic metres and at least 1 metre away from the site boundary.

•  Air source heat pumps installed on a flat roof should be within 1 metre of the roof edge.

•  In conservation areas and World Heritage Sites, heat pumps should be installed at ground level and should not be fitted on a wall or roof which fronts a highway.

If your home is a listed building or on a site of a designed scheduled monument, planning permission, and in some cases listed building consent, may be required

Installing a heat pump has a very positive impact on the environment due to the significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions produced from heating your home. It is true that heat pumps do run on electricity, however the fact that heat is simply moved from one place (the air or the ground) to another (a home or business) as opposed to being created from combustion, you typically get 3 – 5 kWh of heat for every kWh of electricity consumed. Additionally, every year more and more low and zero carbon electricity sources such as wind, tidal and solar are connected to the grid, ever reducing this carbon intensity of the electricity we use in homes and businesses. This means that installing a heat pump can save over 70% in carbon dioxide emissions compared to a traditional fossil fuel boiler. In fact, heat pumps are so much better for the environment than traditional boilers that the Government recently announced their intention to ban fossil fuel boilers in new builds from 2025. Read more about this here.

The Government has confirmed grants of £5,000 or £6,000 will be available for people who install a low-carbon heat pump system in place of existing gas or oil heating.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government scheme designed to help meet the UK’s 2050 net zero emissions target by driving down the cost of low carbon heating technologies and working with industry to ensure they are no more expensive to buy and run as traditional fossil fuel boilers.

In short, homeowners who wish to install air source heat pumps or ground source heat pumps to replace their traditional heating can apply to get thousands of pounds towards the work.

Homeowners can’t apply directly, but as a registered installer, Solaris Energy can do this for you. Successful applicants will receive one-off payments of up to £6,000 towards the cost of the installation project. The funding will be sent as a voucher given to Solaris Energy on the behalf of customers utilising the initiative.

These vouchers will have a set period of validity to ensure they are used in a timely manner – three months for air-source heat pumps or and six months for ground source heat pumps. 

Grants are available to owners of existing homes in England and Wales, including private landlords. The funding can only be used for replacing fossil fuel heating systems, such as gas, oil, or direct electric heating, and not for replacing existing low carbon systems. 

If you decide the BUS is right for you, Solaris Energy can do the hard work for you once you’ve commissioned us to conduct works in your home.

BUS is being administered by Ofgem on behalf of the government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). As the homeowner, you will not be able to apply for the grant directly, but must first find an installer who will apply to Ofgem on your behalf.

There are several stages in the application process. You must find and use a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified installer who is able to carry out the work, as only MCS certified installers can apply. The MCS is a nationally recognised standards organisation that assures the competence of installers and quality of products and Solaris Energy is proud to be part of this scheme.

Solaris Energy’s installers will assess your property and confirm that the installation is eligible for a grant. Once you have commissioned us and the work is complete, we will apply for the grant on your behalf and deduct the value of the grant from the total cost payable by you. 

How much money will I receive?

Funding is available for both air source and ground source heat pumps.

You can apply for: 

·       £5,000 off the cost of buying and installing an air source heat pump 

·       £6,000 off the cost of buying and installing a ground source heat pump

The grant is not expected to cover the full cost of replacing your existing boiler with a low carbon alternative, but with the typical cost of an air source heat pump averaging between £7,000 to £13,000 (according to estimates by the Energy Saving Trust) a £5,000 grant could cut the cost to around £2,000 to £8,000. The system will then deliver monthly savings for consumers on their heating bills from the moment it is up and running.

MCS (Microgeneration certification scheme) is a mark of quality. Using an MCS certified designer / installer, such as Solaris Energy, ensures that the equipment specified meets certain mandatory standards of performance, the design is in accordance with set procedural requirements & that the installers are technically competent and fully trained. It also offers you peace of mind and a guarantee on quality of workmanship.

MCS certified Installers have undergone a rigorous vetting process to demonstrate that they adhere to our Standards. These Standards demonstrate a commitment to quality. They will also be a member of a Consumer Code which means strengthened customer protection for you.

If your technology is eligible for a government incentive, you will need to be able to provide MCS certification to claim this.

You can find an MCS certified installer by using our ‘find a contractor’ search.

With energy costs constantly rising and climate change affecting us all – low-carbon technology has a bigger and bigger role to play in the future of UK energy.

MCS certifies low-carbon products and installations used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources. From solar panels to wind turbines, biomass boilers to heat pumps, there are different solutions to suit different needs.

MCS is a standards organisation that creates and maintains standards, allowing for the certification of products, installers and their installations. You should always look for the MCS mark for reassurance that your installer is certified.

It is mandatory for all MCS certified Installers to be registered with a Trading Standards Institute (TSI) Consumer Code.

These Codes are there to ensure consumer protection and means your installer must go above and beyond minimum consumer law obligations.

Your Installer’s Consumer Code can assist with pre-sale and contractual issues and provides an extra level of protection for you if something goes wrong with your installation.

An air source heat pump works by extracting heat from the outside air in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from inside. It can get heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as -15°C. This heat can then be used to heat radiators, underfloor heating systems, or hot water in your home.

An air source heat pump absorbs heat from the outdoor air and transfers it indoors to heat your home. Even in cold temperatures, there is still heat in the air that the pump can utilise.

The cost of air source heat pumps varies depending on the specific model. In the UK, they typically cost between £6,000 and £11,000. For the most accurate pricing, please contact Solaris Energy directly and we'll provide you with further details.

In the UK, air source heat pumps can cost between £6,000 and £11,000. The cost may vary depending on the specific model and your location, as well as any particular requirements that may be needed. Speak to a member of the Solaris Energy team today for more accurate pricing information.

Air source heat pumps work by absorbing heat from the outside air and transferring it indoors, even in cold weather. This heat can be used to warm radiators, underfloor heating systems, and provide hot water.

Yes. Air source heat pumps are designed to extract heat from the outside air and use it to heat your home. They work even in cold weather conditions. In fact, they are also better for the environment and more cost-effective to operate too.

They do. In fact, air source heat pumps are capable of extracting heat from the air even when outdoor temperatures are as low as -15° C. This means effective heating and hot water throughout the entire winter without any fuss.

It works by absorbing heat from the outdoor air and transferring this heat indoors. This heat can then be used to heat your home or hot water.

The size of the air source heat pump you need depends on the size of your home and your heating requirements. A heating engineer can help you determine the appropriate size for your needs. Liaise with a member of the team at Solaris Energy today to discuss your requirements.

The noise level can vary between different models. On average, they make about 40-60 decibels of noise which is similar to a quiet conversation or background music. A member of the team at Solaris Energy can provide you with specifics about the model you select.

Yes, regular servicing is recommended to ensure the system is working efficiently. Typically, an annual service by a qualified engineer is sufficient. We at Solaris Energy provide heat pump servicing and can conduct regular inspections in order to ensure your system is working at its most efficient.

The exact amount varies based on the specific model and the size of your home. Generally, for every unit of electricity the heat pump uses, it can produce three to four units of heat. As such, it represents an efficent means of heating your property and water.

The running cost depends on various factors, including the efficiency of the pump, the size of your property, and your heating needs. On average, the running cost is usually lower than traditional heating systems, making it a cost-effective solution for your property. Speak to a member of the Solaris Energy team to learn more about the running costs associated with the system you choose for your property.

Running costs can vary based on your specific model, your property size, and your heating needs. Overall, they tend to be lower than traditional heating systems. Our heat pump experts can provide you with accurate running costs, so get in touch with Solaris Energy today.

Various government schemes and grants are available in the UK to help with the cost of air source heat pumps, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. For the most current information, contact your local government office or Solaris Energy.

The cost can vary, but it typically ranges from £6,000 to £11,000. The exact price depends on the specific model and your location. We at Solaris Energy can provide an accurate quotation for your precise needs, so liaise with a member of the team today.

The noise level of air source heat pumps can range from 40-60 decibels, depending on the specific model. We at Solaris Energy can provide you with more details upon request.

Even in winter, air source heat pumps can still operate efficiently, as they can extract heat from the air at temperatures as low as -15°C.

Yes, air source heat pumps can operate effectively in Scotland, even during cold winters. You can liaise with a member of the Solaris Energy team to learn more about the services we can provide in Scotland.

Installation costs can vary based on your specific situation, but in the UK, they typically range from £1,000 to £2,500. For the most accurate quote, please contact Solaris Energy.

Installing an air source heat pump should be done by a certified professional. It involves electrical work and dealing with refrigerants which requires specific training and knowledge. The team at Solaris Energy will be able to provide you with full design and installation services for any air source heat pump requirements that you have.