Most installers find that much of their experience working with boilers transfers directly to air source heat pump (ASHP) projects. That said, there are a small number of areas that, if given particular attention, can benefit ASHP installers in terms of quality of install and customer satisfaction. Ian Trott, Head of Training at Baxi, explains.
In broad strokes, there are many similarities between ASHP and boiler installs, with a handful of crucial differences. By taking these differences into account, installers can come away from a job knowing it has been completed well and that their customer will be enjoying reliable and sustainable heating and hot water.
Does size matter?
The basis of any good heating install, be it ASHP or boiler, is a thorough set of heat loss calculations. Running at lower flow temperatures, ASHPs require more surface area from the emitters. In some homes, this will mean changing the radiators for larger ones, or having under-floor heating installed. In many homes, replacing a boiler with an ASHP will also mean installing a cylinder. Heat loss calculations are invaluable in guiding the decision on what solutions are right for the system.
In a similar vein, pipe sizing may need changing. ASHPs move a lot of water quickly, so larger pipes are often needed. Routing 28mm or 32mm pipe can be more complex than smaller pipes, so planning this out early sets the installer up for success with the overall job.
See how they run
ASHPs run very different to boilers, and this shift in mindset for both installers and homeowners can be the biggest factor in the installation’s success.
Modern combi-boilers heat a small amount of water quickly whereas ASHPs warm a large amount in storage. They keep things moving gently, rather than the peaks and troughs of heating activity common to most boilers.
To run an ASHP properly, it is important that the right controls are in place; weather compensation is standard on most ASHPs. Installers need a good understanding of the additional controls available, how they work, and how to explain them clearly to their customers.
A helping handover
Many homeowners are familiar enough with boilers that installers could do little or no handover and things would likely be fine. This is not the case with ASHPs, and when a customer can’t use their appliance as they expect to, or aren’t seeing the results they imagined, their satisfaction with the job goes down. It’s the installer who has to spend their valuable time returning to adjust or re-adjust settings, walk the customer through the controls – time that could be spent on other jobs.
An ASHP handover should be scheduled with the homeowner as a key part of the job. Best practise in these jobs is to explain how the system works, what they can expect in terms of heat coming from their radiators, and how to use the controls. Talking them through the differences between gas boilers and ASHPs helps set their expectations, so they know that when their radiators aren’t reaching the temperatures they used to, this is a benefit of their ASHP, and not a cause for concern.
What this boils down to
The three main points that can improve ASHP installs are correct sizing, understanding how ASHPs should be run, and a thorough handover. An ideal handover will include a follow-up appointment or phone call from the installer do reiterate anything the customer may have forgotten and to answer any questions that have arisen since the install was completed.
When carried out successfully, ASHP installations can pave the way for more work in a growing segment of the residential heating market. Installers ready to deliver high-quality ASHP installs will reap the benefits as more homeowners look to make the leap to low-carbon heating.
To find out more about ASHPs and to chat to Baxi’s experts, visit stand 5F50 at InstallerSHOW on 23-25 June at the Birmingham NEC. Sign up here for entry.
Find out more about Baxi’s ASHP solutions here.
