Heat pump installation
Here we provide a rundown of the air source heat pump installation process, so you know what to expect and how to prepare.
Before the heat pump gets installed proper preparation is essential to ensure a smooth and efficient installation is possible. This involves you making sure that your home is ready for the installation.
First your old energy system needs to be decommissioned first which basically means taking it out of service safely. This will impact your gas supply and means you won’t have energy access.
Installing a heat pump-specific hot water cylinder is crucial for efficient heating, as standard cylinders may not provide adequate heat transfer. Installing a new hot water tank may cause temporary disruption in hot water supply and require space adjustments.
The heat pump generally consists of two parts the outside and inside units which both need to be installed. This may cause temporary disruption, require space adjustments, create some noise during installation.
For optimal energy efficiency of your heat pump, you may need to have larger radiators installed or switch to underfloor heating. This involves costs, disruption during installation, and potential changes to flooring or wall structures.
The installer will connect the heat pump to the hot water cylinder and integrate it with the radiators and underfloor heating.This process may cause temporary disruption and require wall drilling and new pipe installations, impacting the home's interior.
Commissioning a heat pump involves filling it, checking for leaks, configuring settings, testing functionality, and downloading necessary software. For this step you might have to be present to receive some instructions for next steps.
Step 1: House protection & preparation
Here are some tasks for you to do before the installer arrives to install the heat pump.
Clear Access to Installation Site:
Remove debris, garden tools, and obstructions from the area.
Ensure clear pathways by moving furniture, decorations, and fragile items. This is especially important where the radiators are and where the heat pump is going to be installed.
Secure Pets:
Keep pets in a separate room or area away from the work site to prevent stress and escape attempts.
Communication with the Installation Team:
Write down any questions or concerns about the installation process beforehand. Have someone available at home to greet the team, show them the work area, and address any questions.
Internal Preparations:
Cover nearby furniture or items with sheets to protect them from dust.
Step 2: Decommissioning of old energy system
Before the heat pump can be installed your old energy system needs to be decommissioned first which basically means taking it out of service safely.
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Drainage:
Next, the installer will open the valves to let the water drain out completely. This step might take some time, but it's crucial to avoid any water damage when they start dismantling the unit.
Disconnection:
Once the system is fully drained, the installer will disconnect the boiler from the gas supply line. They'll cap off the gas line after the boiler is disconnected, following best practices.
Removal & disposal:
The installer will then remove the boiler and ensure it's disposed of at a certified recycling center, as it contains materials that may be hazardous if not disposed of correctly.
Step 3: Installation of hot water cylinder
Here's what to expect during the process of replacing your old hot water cylinder with a new one.
Prepare the New Cylinder: The installer will position the new heat pump-specific hot water cylinder, ensuring it is securely in place. This cylinder has a much larger coil capacity, providing an increased surface area for efficient heat transfer.
Connect to Plumbing System: The installer will connect the new cylinder to the existing plumbing system. This involves attaching the cold water inlet, hot water outlet, and any necessary pressure relief valves or expansion vessels.
Step 4: Installation of heat pump
The indoor and outdoor units are installed, with the outdoor unit placed in a well-ventilated, unobstructed area and the indoor units set up simultaneously.
Outdoor Unit Placement:
The installer will place the heat pump unit in a well-ventilated area, ensuring there is sufficient clearance around the unit for proper airflow.
Installing the Indoor equipment: The installer will install the indoor equipment close to where the heat pump is located.
Ductwork (if applicable): If your system includes ductwork, the installer will carefully install it. They will ensure that the ductwork is properly sealed and insulated to optimise energy efficiency and maintain the performance of the heat pump.
Step 5: Installation of radiators & underfloor heating
When installing a heat pump system, both underfloor heating and radiators may require upgrades to ensure efficient heating throughout your home.
Underfloor heating
Modern underfloor heating circulates warm water through loops under the floor, providing radiant heat from the ground up.
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Installation involves laying pipes over insulation and under a self-levelling screed.
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Pipes are evenly spaced and secured with staples.
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The screed is poured over the pipes, treated with a chemical spray, and left to dry.
Generally you will need to wait four weeks for the screed to dry before the floor can be laid but drying times can vary.
Radiators
Installing a heat pump often requires larger radiators because they operate at a lower flow temperature than boilers and need a larger surface area to heat a home effectively.
These are some of the steps involved in upgrading your radiators:
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The heating system is turned off and drained.
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The old radiators are disconnected and removed.
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The new radiators are mounted and the valves connected securely.
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The system is refilled, the radiators are bleed, and the installer checks for leaks.
Step 6: Connecting the system
The remaining wiring and connections are completed by the following steps.
Connect the Heat Pump to the Cylinder: The installer will link the external heat pump to the internal hot water cylinder using a control wire, a refrigerant hose, and a condensate drain hose.
Drill a Hole for Connections: To feed these connections through, the installer will drill a hole in the wall.
Connect to Radiators and Underfloor Heating: The installer will connect the hot water cylinder to your radiators and underfloor heating (if applicable) by installing the necessary pipework.
Step 7: Commissioning & checking the system
Your installer will perform several checks to ensure the system functions properly, meets your home's heating and cooling needs, and is safe to use:
Fill System and Check for Leaks: The installer will fill the system with refrigerant and check for any leaks.
Set Parameters: They will configure parameters such as flow temperature and pressure to match your home’s heating requirements.
Connect to Control Systems: The heat pump will be connected to your thermostat and control systems for seamless operation.
Functional Testing: The installer will run the heat pump in different modes and monitor its performance to ensure everything works correctly.
Install Control Software: If applicable, the installer will set up any necessary software or apps, allowing you to control the heat pump settings remotely.
References
Here are some useful websites that describe the onsite heat pump installation process:
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Energy Systems Catapult has a useful video of a case study.
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The Heat Pump Association has lots of helpful articles on getting and living with a heat pump.
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NESTA offers great advice on heat pumps.
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