Back in January 2023, we were proud to become the first large housebuilder to introduce air source heat pumps and underfloor heating as standard across our new homes, as a replacement for traditional gas boilers. It’s all part of our commitment to make new homes more efficient and commit to achieving net carbon zero by 2045.
Watch below our New Homes podcast episode about heat pumps to learn more about this pioneering technology and how it’s already helping our homeowners save and do their bit for the planet.
How do air source heat pumps work exactly?
Put simply, air source heat pumps take the warmth from the outside air and transfer it to water. Air is drawn into the heat pump by a fan and blown across an evaporator which is filled with liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air and evaporates, turning into a low-temperature gas.
The gas is then passed through a compressor to increase the pressure and temperature. This hot gas is then circulated through a heat exchanger where it transfers its heat into the water which runs through the home’s heating and hot water circuit.
By transferring its heat to the water circuit, the refrigerant cools down and turns back into a liquid which is pumped back to the evaporator so the process can be repeated. Once the water reaches the desired temperature, it’s sent to the radiators or underfloor heating system. It can also be stored in a hot water tank for use in taps and showers.
Heat pumps are a low-carbon form of heating, since they run on electricity rather than gas. That’s why we’re installing them across new Eco Electric homes to help lower our carbon footprint. Because the process is run on electricity, it’s incredibly efficient and eco-friendly. It might help to think about it sort of like a reverse fridge - it uses refrigeration liquid to heat up air rather than cool it down.
Even if the outside temperature gets as low as -15º outside (a bit of a stretch even for our UK winters!), our air source heat pumps will still easily warm up your home. The heat pump system has a weather compensation control as standard; so when the weather outside is warmer, the flow temperature in the radiators or underfloor heating will be lower. Though they might feel cooler to touch, they will still keep your home warm and comfortable. When the weather is cooler, the flow temperature will increase, so the radiators will get warmer as the temperature outside gets colder.
So what are the benefits of heat pumps, and why choose a house with one built in?
It’s all about energy efficiency - heat pumps generally operate at about 350% efficiency, roughly 260% more efficient than an A-rated gas boiler! Because the energy being used comes from the air, pumps are particularly carbon-efficient too.
For homeowners, heat pumps are also a great way to save money on bills (depending on the tariff/energy type you’re switching from at your existing property). Redrow homes are built with efficiency in mind, so you’ll already be saving vs an older home, but heat pumps add even more savings.
How are heat pumps in new builds maintained?
A well-maintained heating system will give you hassle-free, peace of mind operation, whilst ensuring you are getting the best performance from your heat pump. Your Redrow heat pump requires an annual service by a qualified engineer.
In general, it’s important to keep the pump clear and unobstructed at all times to ensure the required airflow. So make sure to regularly remove any leaves, dirt or snow. Keep objects away from the pump and don’t use it to stack things like bikes, garden furniture or toys.
Don’t panic if you see steam coming from your home’s heat pump; this is called de-icing, and happens after a build-up in the system and should only last a few minutes. How often this happens will depend on the air’s humidity, the amount of energy being taken out and a few other factors. The de-icing cycle happens more often when the outside air temperature is around 2.5°C, and less when it’s below 0°C, as there is less water in the air.
It’s important to always keep the system running and never turn it off completely. If your home cools down it will need more energy to heat your home back to a comfortable level. Your heating system control will have a “Comfort” temperature and “Set-back” rather than the traditional “on or off”.
Choosing a Redrow home with an air source heat pump
We’ve committed to installing homes with air source heat pumps in all our upcoming developments, rather than gas boilers. All Redrow homes are spacious and built with modern living in mind, and our new Eco Electric layouts are designed to work with underfloor heating on the ground floor, powered by the efficient pumps.
Look out for our Eco Electric homes at your chosen Redrow development. Find new developments near you by downloading the Redrow app via the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
