Comparing Heat Pumps to Other Forms of Heating
We realise it can be overwhelming to decide what you are looking for when purchasing heating for your home.
Is a heat pump more energy efficient than a wood burner? What are the benefits of a heat pump versus a pellet fire or gas heating? Will it be cheaper to run a heat pump or gas central heating?
Endorsed by government agencies and consumer advocacy groups alike, heat pumps are known to be one of the most efficient forms of heating available. In addition to this, they offer features that other heating does not – like dehumidifying, air filtration, safety and ease of use.
| Heat Pump | Wood Fire | Pellet Fire | Flued Gas Heater | Portable Gas Heater | Electric Heater | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Efficiency Ability to provide 3-4kW of heat energy for every 1kW of electrical energy used |
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| Lowest Running Costs The cheapest kW/h heating cost available |
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| Precise Comfort Control Space heating and temperature control for increased comfort |
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| Convenient Heating at a touch of a button, no manual tasks |
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| Improved Air Quality Filtration and deodorisation systems – perfect for asthma and allergy sufferers |
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| Unobtrusive Heating Whisper quiet and can be placed discreetly on a wall |
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| Humidity Control Doesn’t add moisture to your home, provides good airflow to prevent moisture build-up |
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| Safety No hot surfaces, safe for children and pets |
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| Cooling in Summer Keeping the home nice and cool on those long hot summer days |
Energy Efficiency
Heat Pumps have been proven to be one of the most energy efficient forms of heating available. This is because heat pumps do not create heat; they simply move available heat from one place to another. The little electrical energy that is needed is predominantly used to run the compressor.
Lowest Running Costs
The more energy efficient a heating system is, the cheaper it is to run. While the initial investment in a heat pump may be larger than say, purchasing a gas heater, the long term savings on energy use are far greater. The table below illustrates the cost savings that can be made in comparison to other heat sources.
Compared to all other common forms of heating, a heat pump is the most energy efficient and cheapest heating system to run.
Indicative running costs of home heating options
Source EECA – April 2018.
The more energy efficient a heating system is, the cheaper it is to run. While the initial investment in a heat pump may be larger than say, purchasing a gas heater, the long term savings on energy use are far greater.
“Heat pumps are one of the cheapest heating options to run once they’re installed” – Consumer Magazine Winter Survival Guide 2012
Precise Comfort Control
A key benefit of heat pumps is higher comfort levels, Consumer states “heat pumps use a fan to distribute the warmed air, the heating spreads more evenly than most”. With some heating appliances such as woodburners the further you move away from the heat source the less heat you will feel, whilst others provide only spot heating (i.e. portable heaters).
Once your set temperature is reached a heat pump will maintain this, in contrast some appliances may continue to heat resulting in an uncomfortably hot room – you could spend the rest of your evening juggling settings to maintain the right comfort level.
Convenient
When choosing a heating appliance you should consider one that is low maintenance, easy to use and able to provide heat at the touch of a button ensuring you never have to compromise on comfort.
With a heat pump you can avoid the manual labour involved with fire wood, instead at the touch of a button you can have heat. Heat pumps are controlled by a thermostat, ensuring that your preferred temperature is maintained, there is no need to adjust settings the heat pump will do this automatically when required.
On cold winter nights take comfort in the fact you can come home to warmth with heat pump timers. All heat pumps come with a 24 hour timer or a 7 day timer, you can easily pre program your unit to start up or turn off according to your daily schedule, allowing you to enjoy total comfort with ease. For ultimate comfort upgrade your heat pump with Mitsubishi Electric Wi-Fi Control. Allowing you to control your heat pump from absolutely anywhere via an internet connection, Wi-Fi Control ensures you will never return to a cold home again.
Improved Air Quality
A key benefit of a heat pump is the ability to filter the air that you are heating, getting rid of nasty allergens.
Important for both asthma and allergy sufferers, most heat pumps are fitted with advanced filtration systems to provide optimal air quality by filtering and deodorising the air. These two functions work together to remove even the tiniest airborne particles and break them down or neutralize them.
While systems like unflued gas heaters actually deplete the air quality and consume oxygen – heat pumps have been shown to improve air quality while keeping you warm.
Unobtrusive Heating
As much as it is important to select the right capacity to heat your home, aesthetics are also a consideration for most heat pump purchasers. A unit which is unobtrusive, quiet and even able to complement existing décor are an important factor in deciding which heat pump best suits your home. The ever popular Wall Mounted (High Wall) range boasts an extensive variety of options; from the traditional high wall design to the sharp, modern lines of the Mitsubishi Electric Designer Series for Multi Room systems, available in classic white, glossy black and matt silver. Floor Mounted heat pumps sit discreetly at floor level – ideal for replacement of older heat sources such as fireplaces or night store heaters. Heat pump solutions which are ceiling concealed are also gaining popularity for their unobtrusive design and versatility. Mitsubishi Electric understand that every home is different and as such, every home deserves a heat pump solution which enhances, rather than disrupts interior décor.
Humidity Control
Appliances like unflued gas heaters produce carbon dioxide and fill the air with unhealthy amounts moisture. Without adequate ventilation, this can be detrimental to the health of you and your family.
While good airflow does help to prevent moisture build up, specialist moisture control products such as the Mitsubishi Electric Lossnay Home Ventilation System or a Mitsubishi Electric Oasis dehumidifier may be required in homes to specifically address excess moisture concerns or issues.
Safety
Unlike gas burners or electric heaters, heat pumps are safe as they have no flames or hot surfaces that children can touch and burn themselves with.
Cooling in Summer
The principle for providing air conditioned cooling works much in the same way as the heat pump generates heat, but instead of extracting freely available heat from outside air the unit reverses the process to extract cool air and pump this indoors. This is an added benefit for heat pump users, keeping the home nice and cool on those long hot summer days.
Health Benefits
We all know that a warmer, drier home has a positive effect on our health, and that living with household temperatures below 16°C can contribute to respiratory illness and premature mortality. In fact, the World Health Organisation recommends a minimum indoor temperature of 18°C for healthy people, and 20°C for ‘at risk’ groups like the elderly, young children and those with respiratory illnesses. It is for these reasons that having adequate insulation, ventilation and heating in your home is vital.
Environmental Sustainability
Heat pumps do not burn anything to provide heat energy, so other then the very small amount of electrical energy required for the compressor to operate, there are no additional carbon emissions. Compare this to the combustion process of wood burners which cause fumes, soot and smoke, creating a major burden on the environment in terms of its carbon emissions.