How Do Heat Pumps Work?

Heat pumps work by extracting energy from the sun (renewable energy) and using it to power our heat source, instead of using electrically operate heating systems. This principle even works during the middle of winter and at temperatures as low as -25 degrees. 

A sizable proportion of your B&Bs monthly budget is taken up by energy bills. We have put together some tips together on how you can reduce heating costs in your B&B.

Heat recovery ventilation systems, also known as HRV systems recover heat from the air that evaporates from hot water that is used in bathrooms and kitchens and transfers the heat to the fresh air that is ventilated into the home. 

You may be eligible for a heating controls grant

There are SEAI grants available for home owners in Ireland for installing heating controls. Domestic customers can benefit from a heating controls upgrade or an oil/gas boiler with heating controls upgrade.

Despite the name “heat pump”, heat pumps do an efficient job of both cooling and heating the home or commercial building. Unlike other conventional heating systems, a heat pump operates by distributing heat, instead of generating hot or cold air. This heat or cooling process can be sourced from either water, earth known as a geothermal heating system or the most common system which retrieves heat from the air. This is known as an “air to air” heat pump.

The majority of radiators in households are made of steel; however, the last few years have seen a significant increase of aluminium radiators installed in new homes throughout Ireland. There are many advantages to having aluminium radiators in your home and we have listed the benefits below.

What are Air to Water Heat Pumps?

Heat pumps extract energy from the sun and raises it to a temperature equipped to provide an effective and efficient heating source. This is an extremely environmentally friendly source of heat as approximately 75% of the energy we require to heat our homes is sourced directly from our environment. Air to water heat pumps are the most effective and modern method of hot water heating system on the market today.

Irish Water are now sending application packs all domestic households connected to public water supplies. Home owners now face the reality of paying the controversial water charges in 2015. Most grown adults use around 50,000 litres of water each year and therefore, the chance of falling below 30,000 allowance litres per adult and 38,000 litres per child is minimal. For example, an 80 litre bath each day totals an adult's entire water allowance for the year.

Living in a passive home means living in a home with no cold drafts, no sudden temperature changes from room to room and virtually no heating bills. Sound too good to be true?

What is a Geothermal Heat Pump (GSHP)?

Geothermal heating involves using geothermal energy in order to heat domestic and commercial properties. Geothermal energy refers to energy which is generated and stored within the Earth's matter.