There are a number of different types of heat pumps. Some can be the only source of heating and hot water in a property or they can be assisted by a conventional boiler, such as oil or gas (these systems are known as bivalent). Heat pumps can also be configured for heating and cooling, depending on the property and controls. The good news is that we can support them all.

We have knowledge, manufacturer support and competence in a broad range of domestic heat pumps such as:

• Air to water heat pumps
• Air source heat pumps
• Ground source heat pumps (collecting from horizontal ground collectors, slinkies or bore holes)
• Water source heat pumps
• Exhaust source heat pumps
• Air to air heat pumps (previously known as air conditioning)

Here at Service My Heat Pump we are experienced in Grant, LG, Dimplex, Nibe, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Samsung, Daikin and Vaillant Heat Pumps.

Please note if you have one of the above heat pumps and receive the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) an annual inspection is mandatory. It will also be part of your on-going warranty obligations and might, in some circumstances, invalidate your home insurance if it hasn’t been done.

To help you recognise what type of heat pump you have we have put together a simple guide below:

Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) or Air to Water Heat Pump

Your home, or business is being heated by an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) if there is an external fan unit running whenever you have a heating or hot water demand.

Most ASHPs will be connected to a Domestic Hot Water (DHW) Cylinder, that will be located inside the property and is the source of all your hot water for showering, bathing and washing-up.

ASHPs can be connected to underfloor heating, radiators and in some instances fan assisted radiators, that are capable of providing cooling as well as heating when correctly setup.

The most well known Manufacturers supplying the UK are Nibe, Mitsubishi, Daikin, Samsung, Panasonic, Vaillant, Grant, Hitachi and LG.

Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP)

In contrast to the Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) are usually installed inside the property, whether that is in a Garage, Utility, Kitchen or dedicated Plant Room.  All the energy is collected from the ground via specialist pipework that is either installed vertically or horizontally in the ground and routed back to the heat pump in the property.

GSHPs tend to look like tall Fridges and there will be various cylinders connected to them by pipework, such as a Domestic Hot Water (DHW) Cylinders, or Buffer vessels.

GSHPs can be connected to underfloor heating, radiators and in some instances fan assisted radiators, that are capable of providing cooling as well as heating when correctly setup.

The most well known Manufacturers supplying the UK are Nibe, Kensa and Vaillant.

Hybrid or Bivalent

A Hybrid, or bivalent installation, is one that combines two forms of heat generator.

For instance, that could an Air to Water heat pump (ASHP) and a gas or oil boiler, or a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) with a backup electric or traditional fossil fuel boiler.

We find that most hybrid or bivalent installations are installed in older or larger properties.

If your heat pump is supported by an electric boiler, it might not be that obvious that your heating system is bivalent, whereas if your heat pump is supported by a gas or oil boiler, you will be aware that you are paying for two fuel bills (electric for heat pump and either gas or oil for your boiler).

If you are reasonably technical, then you might also be able to recognise that you have an additional boiler. Please note that some heat pumps, in particular Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) can have an external fan and an indoor hydraulic unit, that look similar to a traditional wall hung boiler, these are called split or bi-bloc.

Hybrids and or Bivalent systems are usually connected to underfloor heating and radiators.

The most well known Manufacturers supplying the UK are Nibe, Mitsubishi, Daikin, Samsung, Panasonic, Vaillant, Grant, Hitachi, Kensa and LG

If you are unsure, we can usually help you work out what system you have over the phone, or by sharing some photos of your installation with our engineers.

Air to Air Heat Pump, or Air Conditioning

With an air to air heat pump, or air conditioning system, you will have an outdoor fan unit that is connected to either a wall mounted indoor unit, 360 degree airflow ceiling cassette (for offices with suspended ceilings), or a floor mounted fan unit that looks like a cross between a modern electric radiator and a traditional radiator.
Some air to air heat pumps can have a single outdoor unit connected to 2 or more indoor units but the norm is for there to be 1 outdoor unit for every indoor unit.

Another usual easy telltale is a remote controller for the system beside the indoor unit, where you can set the mode (heating or cooling), adjust the fan speed and other modes relevant to your model.

The most well known Manufacturers supplying the UK are Mitsubishi, Daikin, Panasonic, Hitachi and LG.

If you have one of the above heat pumps and require a service, please reach out to us on 07979 857857. We have appointments available Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm. Plus some evenings and weekends by special arrangement.