Best Places to Install an Air Source Heat Pump at Home

Before you have an air source heat pump installed, it&#;s crucial to engage with your installer about the ideal location for the indoor and outdoor units (and hot water cylinder if required).

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from OUTES.

You should consider the following when placing your air source heat pump: adequate space and airflow, accessibility for maintenance, compliance with building regulations, ease of installation, potential for noise reduction and visual aesthetics.

In this guide, we will explore the best locations for installing an air source heat pump at home, along with factors to consider and locations to avoid.

Cinergi is a family-run company with 30+ years of experience in home heating. We specialise in heat pump installation and other renewable energy solutions such as ground source heat pumps, solar panels and EV charging stations. If you are considering an air source heat pump but have questions about where to install it, please fill in our contact form to book a call with one of our friendly team.

What needs to be installed for an air source heat pump?

First, let us be clear on what exactly needs to be installed.

Outdoor unit &#; this houses the compressor and other critical components and should ideally be placed in a well-ventilated area, typically a garden or driveway.

Indoor unit &#; this includes the heat exchanger and air handler and should be installed in a central location within the house, e.g. in a utility room.

Hot water cylinder &#; you will need to install a hot water cylinder if you don&#;t already have one. It&#;s usually installed in a utility area, airing cupboard, or perhaps a loft. The proximity to bathrooms and the kitchen is essential to reduce heat losses through pipework and ensure quick access to hot water.

Note that your central heating system may also need upgrading, e.g. new radiators or underfloor heating.

Let&#;s take a closer look at the considerations for installing these components.

What Should You Consider When Placing Heat Pumps?

Location size and ventilation

ASHPs come in different sizes and capacities, but every heat pump needs space around it to ensure sufficient airflow. This is crucial for efficient heat transfer, as you don&#;t want cold air bouncing off the wall and into the unit, as this will affect its efficiency.

The outdoor unit is likely to be around a metre wide and 1.5m tall, so a suitable space would be 3.5m2. The internal unit is roughly the size of a gas boiler, so roughly 70cm high and 30cm wide.

It&#;s essential to consult with a suitably qualified heating engineer like Cinergi to make sure you have enough space for both the indoor and outdoor unit.

Noise output

Air source heat pumps generate a certain level of noise during operation. Modern ASHPs are designed to be quieter, but placing them strategically can further minimise any noise output. A responsible installer will carry out a noise assessment and advise the best location so as not to disturb you or your neighbours.

To put it into context, a washing machine is around 70 decibels and busy traffic is 85 decibels. A typical gas boiler registers around 60 decibels, the same as a conversation in your &#;indoor voice&#;! So unless you live in a very quiet location, the sound of a heat pump should be almost imperceptible, especially when you are inside.

Neighbours

Your heat pump must be at least a metre away from the boundary of your property and comply with other conditions as set out in the Town and Country Planning Order (England, ).

Providing you don&#;t need planning permission, there is no obligation to tell your neighbour that you plan to install an air source heat pump. However, being considerate of their peace and privacy is important and can go a long way. Talk to them about your plans and place the unit in a location that minimises noise and visual impact on neighbouring properties.

Further reading &#; Do I have to tell my neighbours I&#;m installing an air source heat pump?

Aesthetics

Aesthetics play a significant role in determining the placement of an air source heat pump. Homeowners often prefer installing the unit in a discreet location that doesn&#;t compromise the overall appearance of their property. Consider areas that blend well with your home&#;s design, or opt for creative solutions to integrate the ASHP seamlessly into your outdoor space.

Places to avoid placing an air source heat pump

While ASHPs are versatile, there are certain locations to avoid placing the external unit.

1. Confined spaces: Avoid installing ASHPs in small, enclosed spaces where airflow is limited. They need adequate ventilation in the outside air for safe and efficient operation.
2. Areas with obstructions: Areas with significant obstructions, such as tall trees, structures, or nearby buildings, can obstruct airflow and impact the heat pump&#;s efficiency.
3. Highly polluted areas: Air source heat pumps may struggle in highly polluted places like inner city areas where the air quality is poor. The contaminants in the air can affect the system&#;s components and performance.
4. Direct sunlight: While ASHPs utilise heat from the air, direct exposure to intense sunlight can cause the unit to overheat, reducing its efficiency and potentially damaging the system.
5. Areas prone to flooding: Flood-prone areas pose a risk of damage to outdoor units and the overall system.
6. Structurally unsound areas: Installing a heat pump in areas with unstable or weak structures may pose a risk to the unit&#;s stability and safety, potentially leading to structural damage and compromised performance.
7. Inaccessible or hard-to-reach locations: Locations that are difficult to access for maintenance, repairs, or installation should be avoided to ensure easy servicing and upkeep of the heat pump system.
8. Where noise pollution may be a concern: For example, you may want to avoid putting the unit too close to a downstairs bedroom window.

What are the ideal locations for an external heat pump unit?

So considering all of the above, let&#;s take a look at some ideal locations for your new ASHP. As it requires free-flowing, ambient air to work, so it must be located outside.

1. Garden/courtyard/patio: These are popular choices, but ensure the ground is stable, there is no risk of flooding and that there is adequate airflow around the unit.
2. Roof or terrace: In some cases, the outdoor unit can be installed on a flat roof or terrace, provided it&#;s a metre from the roof&#;s edge.
3. Driveway: This can be a discreet location if the driveway is large enough and also provides maximum accessibility.
4. Purpose-built shelter: This can protect the unit from the elements, reduce noise and maintain the aesthetic of your property.
5. Raised platform: Elevating the ASHP on a platform or stand can prevent snow accumulation and facilitate better drainage, which is especially important in colder and wetter regions.
6. South-facing: If possible, install the ASHP on a south-facing wall or roof to maximise exposure to sunlight.

Considering an Air Source Heat Pump? Get in Touch with Cinergi Today

Installing an air source heat pump is a wise choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their energy bills. If you&#;re considering an air source heat pump for your home, get in touch with Cinergi, a leading heating specialist on the South Coast.

Our team of experts can guide you through the process, recommend the ideal placement, and help you select the right air source heat pump for your needs. Contact us today to start your journey toward a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly home.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Commercial Air Source Heat Pump.

Air source heat pump positioning is one of the most common questions I get asked when homeowners are looking at specify this renewable technology. 

There is a common train of thought that the outdoor unit should be placed on the south side of the property where it will benefit from the heat from the sun. However, there are a lot of variables to consider when siting an air source heat pump and unfortunately in the greater scheme of things the sun is only a very small one. 

In fact, choosing where to position an air source heat pump should be dictated by a location which offers free moving air, the distance to the distribution pipework, effective mitigation of noise pollution and of course aesthetics &#; not simply the orientation to the sun.

While a good installer will advise on location, here we take you through some key considerations with regards to where the outdoor unit ideally should &#; and shouldn't &#; be positioned.

1. Air source heat pump positioning might be dictated by planning

Planning permission for an air source heat pump could be the first hurdle when deciding on a suitable location. 

This will usually be granted under general permitted development rules (GPDR). However, these do not cover installation to the front aspect of the property, and the noise impact of the specific heat pump unit must also be calculated in relation to any windows on habitable rooms on adjoining properties.

2. The distance from the manifold is key

When installing an air source heat pump, distance from the heat pump outdoor unit to the heating manifold or hot water cylinder is very important. 

Whatever the distance, the pipes will need to be insulated. However, a longer pipe run will have a greater heat loss, require improved insulation and could have a greater circulation pump energy demand, which will all add to air source heat pump costs &#; not only to the installation but to the running costs as well. 

Keep these pipe runs as short as practicable and make sure that they are insulated with a high quality, waterproof, UV resistant and rodent-protected insulation.

3. Consider noise when siting an air source heat pump

Also important is whether the heat pump will disturb you. Most new heat pumps are not that noisy and the sound output is calculated by the installer.

However, if placed outside a bedroom window or right next to a patio or veranda, or even next to the neighbour's windows, then noise could be an issue when it runs at full power.

4. A south-facing orientation isn't always best

Direct sunlight is not actually a benefit unless the heat pump is covered in snow. In the latter case a roof would actually be a better solution to protect the heat pump and keep the air flow unrestricted.

The argument may be that the air around the heat pump will be warmer on the south side of the property, but this is not necessarily the case because an air source heat pump moves a lot of air, up to around six cubic meters per second, and the compressor only actually starts when the fan has been running for a couple of minutes. The air will then be cooler and thus there will be no advantage of the unit being in the sun on the south side of the building.

On older technology heat pumps, the sunlight can actually also be an issue as many of them have sensors mounted on the casing that can get &#;confused&#; by the heat from the sun, which causes it to run erratically and not according to the room thermostats. What's more, the hot water production can be limited, or in some cases completely overridden, on hot days.

5. Avoid positioning an air source heat pump directly next to parking or paths

Your heat pump should be in a position with free flowing air, with a clear area of about two metres in front of the fan and also no direct prevailing winds to counter the fan action.

This is because air coming out of the heat pump can be around 10 degrees cooler than ambient (even in winter) and if this cool air gets short circuited back into the heat pump it will lower the efficiency.

As the air is cold it makes sense to avoid positioning the heat pump near a walkway, parked vehicles or sensitive plants. When the ambient temperature is below 10 degrees, the air coming out of the heat pump can be below zero &#; this could then potentially freeze the path, vehicles or plants in front of it, causing a safety hazard or material damage.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Commercial Heat Pump Manufacturer.