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Replacing a fossil fuel heating system with an air source heat pump is becoming a more and more popular choice for many households. A heat pump is a renewable, sustainable, and energy-efficient method of heating your home. If you are hoping to reduce your carbon footprint, energy usage, and energy bills then replacing your oil boiler with a heat pump could be the right decision for you.
Yes, you can replace an oil boiler with an air source heat pump. In some cases, this will require some internal modifications, but it almost always can be done. Here, we'll be talking about the benefits of replacing an oil boiler with a heat pump and some of the potential issues that could arise.
Air source heat pumps are powered by electricity but they use it to generate far more heat than the power input. They do this by absorbing the heat in the outside air and using it to heat a refrigerant liquid until it becomes a gas.
This gas is compressed to make it even hotter and is then transferred to the property's heating system and, in some cases, the hot water system.
Take a look: How Much To Install Air Source Heat Pump System
Air source heat pump systems are many more times efficient than oil boilers. Modern oil boilers usually have an energy efficiency of 85-90%, with older models being less efficient at 70-80%. This is less efficient than a modern gas boiler, which is 90-98%.
Both of these heating systems are left in the dust compared to an air source heat pump's energy efficiency which is usually 300-400%!
This means that for every unit of electricity used to power the heat pump, it creates three to four units of heat energy. This efficiency can drop down in very cold temperatures, but even then it will still be more than 200%.
This higher rate of energy efficiency can directly translate into lower energy bills, especially when comparing an air source heat pump with an oil boiler.
Let's work through an example of a standard home's energy usage.
The average UK home with an oil boiler uses an average of about 2,200 litres of oil per year. The average oil price of 75p per litre.
With an efficiency of 85%, this works out as an annual cost to run of £1,941.
The average kilowatt per hour (kWh) to heat the average home per year is 15,000. The average efficiency is 300% for the air source heat pump. This reduces the energy use per year to 5,000kWh.
Electricity is around 30p per kW. So for 5,000kWh per year, this works out as £1,500.
On energy usage alone, you will be saving around £441 per year when using a heat pump instead of an oil boiler.
Oil boilers require more servicing and maintenance than an air source heat pump. This is because oil can contain impurities which can cause sludge to develop in the boiler and fuel tank. If it isn't cleared, this can lead to clogs and other issues. The tanks can also corrode due to water contamination.
They will also need regular safety inspections, oil tank maintenance, cleaning, and other servicing.
Air source heat pumps need less maintenance for two main reasons. First, they have fewer moving parts, so there is a lower likelihood of something going wrong. Second, they aren't dealing with combustion, so safety is less of an issue as are any issues with fuel storage.
Heat pumps will need some regular maintenance, including checking the refrigerant levels and electrical components.
Both systems will usually need an annual service, but it will cost around £150-£300 for an oil boiler and £100-£200 for an air source heat pump. This will also save money.
There is a wide range of benefits to replacing an oil boiler with an air source heat pump, but there are also some factors that should be considered before taking the plunge.
Decent insulation is important for all types of central heating systems, but it is especially important for heat pumps. Your existing oil boiler works by cycling the heat up to a high temperature until the desired space heating level is reached, and then cycling back off.
An air source heat pump, on the other hand, doesn't cycle on and off. Instead, it is designed to run constantly and maintain a consistent air temperature.
When there is poor insulation, heat is lost. This causes the temperature in the property to go down, which will force the heat pump to work harder and use more electricity to get the temperature back up to the required level.
This will reduce the heating efficiency of the heat pump and increase its running costs.
You can get an expert insulation assessment completed that will highlight all of the areas where your insulation may need to be improved. You can also get help to pay for the costs with the government's Green Deal Finance Plan, or with grants if you are on a lower income or in receipt of certain benefits.
If you are opting for an air-to-water heat pump to fully replace your oil boiler, you may need to make some internal modifications to integrate it into your current heating system.
Standard radiators are not designed correctly to work with air source heat pumps. This is because they are designed for use with high levels of heat to take the space up to the correct temperature. The low-temperature levels that a heat pump creates won't heat the space efficiently because of the small surface area of the radiator.
You can replace your existing radiators with larger versions. The bigger surface area will allow the lower-temperature water to radiate the heat into the room more efficiently.
Alternatively, you could install underfloor heating. This is the best option in terms of efficiency for use with an air source heat pump. Underfloor heating consists of a network of pipes underneath the floor. The water heated by the heat pump will flow through these pipes and raise the temperature in the room above.
Underfloor heating is designed to work at a lower temperature because of its larger surface area, and this matches up perfectly with the lower flow temperature created by an air source heat pump.
To heat your hot water as well, you would need a hot water cylinder. If you already have an existing hot water tank, you can usually integrate this with your air source heat pump.
Uncover more: Can Air Source Heat Pumps Work With Existing Radiators
The upfront cost of an air source heat pump is higher than an oil boiler. On average, you can expect to pay £3,500-£7,000 to buy and install an oil boiler, including any modifications that need to be made to the property. Air source heat pumps cost an average of £7,000-£15,000.
Explore: Why Are Air Source Heat Pumps So Expensive
This price difference may seem daunting at first but the cost of an air source heat pump can be greatly reduced by taking advantage of government grants.
The government is committed to the UK becoming net zero for carbon emissions by 2050. As part of this, it is actively encouraging people to replace heating systems that burn fossil fuels with renewable options like heat pumps.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants of £7,500 to install a heat pump (this could be an air source heat pump or a ground source heat pump) in England or Wales.
There is a similar scheme in Scotland - the Home Energy Scotland Scheme. This provides grants of £7,500 plus an optional interest-free loan of an additional £7,500.
There are also other grants available depending on your circumstances.
Find out more: How To Apply For Air Source Heat Pump Grant
We understand the challenges involved in replacing an existing oil boiler with an air source heat pump, but we are passionate about ensuring that a heat pump works perfectly for all our clients. We will visit your home to assess the best type and location for the heat pump and recommend any modifications that could make it more efficient.
If you are considering replacing your oil boiler with a heat pump, contact us to find out how we can help you.
Air source heat pumps can be used to replace oil boilers, both for heating the space and your domestic hot water. Installing a heat pump means lower heating bills and a smaller carbon footprint. Heat pumps work by extracting heat from the air outside rather than solely burning fossil fuels, so they really can make an impact. Some modifications may need to be made in your home to accommodate the new method of heating, but it is usually worth it.
