Why Combine Solar PV with an Air Source Heat Pump?

Both solar PV and air source heating offer many benefits to homeowners, such as reduced heating and electricity bills. To combine solar PV with an air source heat pump boost the benefit of both systems.

With homeowners and builders increasingly aware of the rising costs of powering their homes, more customers are seeing the benefit of installing a renewable solution. Solar panels generate free, clean electric from energy in the sun’s rays. This energy is used to power domestic draw and reduce demand from the grid. Air source heat pumps run off electricity to provide heating and hot water in a cost-effective, sustainable manner.

So, why combine solar PV with an air source heat pump?

• Reduced heating spends

As air source heat pumps are powered by electric. Supplying them with free solar results in further cost savings.

Heat pumps are more cost-effective to run than their non-renewable counterparts, providing savings over oil, LPG and direct electric systems. Boosting these savings by powering the heat pump with solar generation further eradicates heating costs.

• Increased consumption of solar energy

Domestic customers installing solar PV consume around 50% of the energy their system generates. Excess energy is lost to the grid.

Heat pumps emit heat at low temperatures over long periods of time. As a result, demand for energy is lower but more constant. Installing an air source heat pump alongside solar allows users to consume an extra 20% of the energy generated. Thus, increasing the benefit of their solar array and reducing their heating bills.

• Reduced grid demand and dependency

Microgenerating energy on site minimises grid demand and dependency.

Providing a property’s electricity demand with clean solar reduces grid supply. Switching primary heating demand to electric allows heat to be provided by self-generated solar. Therefore, grid demand is slashed by as much as possible. Furthermore, a dramatic cut in carbon emissions is created.

• Earn government incentive on both systems

Both solar PV and air source heating systems are eligible for government subsidy.

The Feed-in Tariff offers subsidy on solar installation. Meanwhile, the Renewable Heat Incentive provides a financial incentive on renewable heating. Initiated to lower UK carbon emissions, the RHI and Feed-in Tariff look to drive uptake of renewable technologies. Customers can access both schemes to receive maximum financial return on their investments.

• SAP concerns

Customers undertaking a new build, conversion or extension will benefit by opting for solar PV and air source heating.

Both technologies are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Thus, they score favorably when undertaking a SAP calculations and passing Building Regulations. Choosing renewable can create potential savings elsewhere on the project.

Considering renewable for your home or build? Combining solar with air source heating is the ideal way to lower your home’s energy bills and increase its efficiency.

This blog was provided by GreenGenUK.