Our Heat Pumps take the natural energy that exists in the air or ground and converts that energy into heat. Even when the air is very cold, it still contains enough energy to warm your home and heat your hot water.
Q. Why do you hear so little about them?
While heat pumps have been in use in some of the coldest parts of the world for many years, they have been slow to catch on in the UK, partly because we had our own relatively cheap coal and North Sea oil and gas. Now those days are over and we have to switch to renewable energy sources.
Q. How does a heat pump work?
Think of it like your fridge in reverse, which creates a cold space by removing the heat from inside the fridge and pushing it out the back. An air source, or air-to-water, heat pump removes the energy from the air outside your home and uses it to heat your home; a ground source heat pump extracts the heat from the ground using either boreholes or underground piping.
Q. How do I decide which Sanderling Heat Pump is right for my house?
Sanderling Warmth will discuss the options with you and recommend the one that is right for you, based mainly on the size of your house and its level of insulation.
Q. Are they capable of working in even sub-zero temperatures?
Yes, Sanderling Warmth heat pumps are tried and tested across the world and work even if the temperature outside your house is -15°C.
Q. In what ways are Sanderling Warmth systems better than any others?
Our clever UK-developed electronic control system, our hand-balanced fans for extra quietness, our long-lasting Stainless steel chassis, our exceptional high temperature compressors all make our systems just right for the UK. We don’t supply conventional boilers or other ‘renewables’ because we have such confidence in our HPs. For more information see About us.
Q. Are they difficult or expensive to install?
It depends on the property but in most cases installation of an ASHP will take about the same amount of time as for a conventional oil or gas boiler. Sanderling Warmth GSHPs will need more time and cost in installation, due to the earthworks, but may be a more suitable heating system for your home. Sanderling air source heat pumps are very simple to install and manage; they are sited outside your home and need two water pipes and one simple electrical ‘feed’.
Q. Can I keep my existing radiators and cylinder?
In many cases, yes. We will need to assess your current radiators and cylinder and it is our practice never to replace a piece of equipment which is still capable of doing its job.
Q. How long will it take for a Sanderling Warmth heat pump to pay for itself?
This depends on many factors such as the age, size and level of insulation of your house and which Sanderling Warmth heat pump is right for you, but we always give you a clear estimate of your savings in our tailor-made proposal. Click here to see some examples of how much you can save.
Q. Can you hide the heat pump away?
The Sanderling Warmth heat pump is usually installed outside your house so it will only be seen from the outside. In the summer months, it will hardly ever be operating during the day, so there is no danger of its sound becoming intrusive. We think the attractive stainless steel casing is something people will not want to hide away, but it is possible to ‘disguise’ it if required.
Q. Are they suited to the UK climate?
Sanderling Warmth heat pumps are ideally suited to the UK climate.
Q. What happens if there is a power cut?
As with all the electrically powered appliances at your property (including gas and oil fired boilers), a Sanderling Warmth heat pump would be affected by a power cut but the heat already in your system will be retained as long as the power comes back on within a few hours.
Q. Are they likely to cause any sort of nuisance to me or my neighbours?
No. A Sanderling Warmth unit runs very quietly, and on summer days when you and your neighbours are most in the garden, the fan will hardly be operating at all.
Q. Do I need planning permission?
Generally not, but check with your installer in case there are local regulations. If multiple heat pumps are used to heat the property, then yes. However, Sanderling Warmth heat pumps are single modules which don’t require planning permission. (Ref: 2011 No. 2056 TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING, ENGLAND, page 5, Section G2. (a).
Q. Is the refrigerant gas approved and safe?
Yes, the refrigerant is approved and is no more dangerous than the one in your fridge or freezer.
Q. What sort of control system will I have?
That depends on what you feel you need, but generally you will have a simple control panel that is as easy to use as that for any other heating system. The weather compensation is built within the heat pump controller to ensure the most economical temperature is achieved depending on the outside temperature.
Subject to final detail there will be generous incentives to install all domestic Sanderling Warmth heat pump system from 2012 in the form of something called the Renewable Heat Incentive. This will pay householders for every extra unit of “heat” created by an approved air source heat pump. All Sanderling Warmth machines are expected to be eligible for the RHIs when they come in 2012. There are also £850 capital grants available in certain areas up till March 2012 for Sanderling Warmth air source heat pumps as an interim measure.
