Air Source Heat Pumps vs Other Alternatives
Before committing to an expensive heating solution, it’s essential to thoroughly explore all available options. While some may advocate for installing Air Source Heat Pumps, it isn’t always the most suitable choice. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list and comparison of alternative solutions to Air Source Heat Pumps.
Installing an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP); is it the right choice for me and what are the alternatives?
Government bodies strongly advocate for the adoption of ASHPs and are actively encouraging local councils and others to increase their installation. The primary reason for this push is straightforward: ASHPs are very efficient, have lower energy usage, and contribute to reducing carbon footprints. These qualities make them a key solution in achieving CO² reduction targets.
The problem with government bodies pushing for more ASHP installations is there’s not enough trained installers. Additionally, a considerable portion of the UK’s housing stock is unsuitable for ASHP installations. Compounding the issues is the lack of clear guidance on viable alternative solutions; when an ASHP cannot be installed, the default approach often seems to be simply moving on to the next property.
There are alternative solutions to ASHPs that not only help reduce CO² levels but may also offer better running costs. What are these alternatives, and which options provide comparable or superior performance in both emissions reduction and cost efficiency?
The answer is High Heat Retention (HHR) storage heaters and the next generation Solar High Heat Retention storage heaters.
A closer examination of ASHPs reveals that government bodies seem to often prioritise their CO² reduction benefits while overlooking the potential implications for running costs and fuel poverty. While the importance of CO² reduction is undeniable, it is equally critical to consider the broader context. With over 6 million households in the UK currently experiencing fuel poverty, the widespread adoption of ASHPs could potentially exacerbate this issue. Therefore, alongside the environmental benefits, it is essential to evaluate the overall operating costs for the properties in which ASHPs are installed.
Our analysis compared four heating options: Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), Electric Boilers, Panel Heaters, and HHR storage heaters. While both ASHPs and combination Electric Boilers have water heating capabilities, for the purpose of this comparison, we evaluated the ASHP without a hot water cylinder and used a system boiler rather than a combination boiler for the Electric Boiler. This approach ensures a fair comparison, focusing solely on each product’s heating performance.
We also used the rdSAP heating season parameters to calculate the duration of the heating demand. The key factors we are comparing are CO² emissions, energy usage, and energy costing over the heating demand period.
We have used a 3 Bedroom Semi Detached 89m² property size with an EPC equivalent to level C for our comparisons. We have calculated an annual heat loss heating demand of 8751 kWh/year for the property (as per rdSAP heating season). For people who are not familiar, the heating season according to the rdSAP is from October to May and is calculated as 56 hours per week for 34 weeks.
In our first chart we show the four comparison options, displaying the energy efficiency according to SAP, the annual CO² emissions, the annual energy usage (kWh) and the annual energy cost (based on single, dual and the new ASHP tariffs). It is important to note that all options shown are based on heating only, ensuring a fair comparison across all products.
Single Tariff at 25p/kWh All Day Rate
Dual Tariff at 28p/kWh Day Rate / 14p/kWh Off-Peak Rate
ASHP Tariff at 23p/kWh Day Rate / 11p/kWh Off-Peak Rate / 33p/kWh Peak Rate
| Category | ASHPs (Heating Only) | HHR Storage Heaters | Electric System Boilers | Electric Panel Heaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Energy Efficiency (as per SAP) |
250% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
Annual Carbon (Kg of CO²) |
2978 |
3188 |
7444 |
7444 |
|
Annual Energy Usage (kWh) |
3503 |
3751 |
8758 |
8758 |
|
Annual Energy Cost (using Single Tariff) |
£876 |
£938 |
£2,190 |
£2,190 |
|
Annual Energy Cost (using Dual Tariff) |
£838 |
£525 |
£2,095 |
£2,095 |
|
Annual Energy Cost (using ASHP Tariff) |
£779 |
£413 (if available) |
£1,949 |
N/A |
Unlike many typical comparison charts that present cost estimates over a 15-year period, which often raise more questions than they answer, our previous chart focuses on the key factors that matter most: CO² emissions, energy usage, and energy costs. We chose to exclude long-term cost data, instead using annual data, in order to emphasise the essential points of each heating option. Additionally, it is important to note that both ASHPs and HHRs may be eligible for subsidies through current grant schemes, which can reduce the initial cost or even provide the option for free.
However, to address those who prefer the comparisons over a 15-year period, including the replacement cost after such time, we have created the following chart.
| Category | ASHPs (Heating Only) | HHR Storage Heaters | Electric System Boilers | Electric Panel Heaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Initial costs (heating only) |
£11,000 (avg) |
£7,4000 (avg) |
£1,750 (avg) |
£2,100 (avg) |
|
Maintenance Cost (over 15 Years) |
£3,200 |
£0 |
£0 |
£0 |
|
Replacement (after 15 years) |
£6,000 (est) |
£5,000 (est) |
£1,250 (est) |
£1,500 (est) |
|
Energy Cost (over 15 Years) – Single Tariff |
£13,136 |
£14,066 |
£32,850 |
£32,850 |
|
Total 15-year costs with Single Tariff |
£33,336 |
£26,466 |
£35,850 |
£36,450 |
|
Energy Cost (over 15 Years) – Dual Tariff |
£12,570 |
£7,875 |
£31,425 |
£31,425 |
|
Total 15-year costs with Dual Tariff |
£32,770 |
£20,275 |
£34,425 |
£35,025 |
|
Energy Cost (over 15 Years) – ASHP Tariff |
£11,691 |
£6,195 (if available) |
£29,235 |
N/A |
|
Total 15-year costs with ASHP Tariff |
£31,891 |
£18,595 (if available) |
£32,235 |
N/A |
If you require any further information, please submit your requests to ASHPvsHHR@elnur.co.uk stating what information you require. A separate PDF of the charts is available on request.
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