PHS Engineers Ltd are leading specialists in the supply, installation, servicing, and repair of air source heat pumps for residential and commercial properties across Essex. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your heating system, maintain its efficiency, or fix a fault, our experienced engineers are fully qualified to work with all major ASHP brands.
What is an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)?
An air source heat pump is an alternative to the boilers that you’ll find in a typical home. Boilers are necessary for heating water, but they also allow the radiators around the room to heat your home.
However, boilers tend to burn fossil fuels, meaning they’re not environmentally friendly. You might also find it expensive to spend money on gas or oil to heat your home and your water. So as an alternative, you might be interested in an air source heat pump.
An air source heat pump is an environmentally-friendly way to heat your home. It uses the heat from the air outside of your home and uses a compressor to transfer the energy which allows you to heat your home. It’s much like a refrigerator, only in reverse. This makes it much cheaper to run and it means you won’t be burning fossil fuels for hot water and home heating.
Our team of certified air source heat pump installers in Essex deliver tailored, energy-efficient solutions designed to meet the specific needs of your property. From new installations to system replacements, we ensure seamless integration and compliance with all current building regulations and MCS standards.
We handle every aspect of the installation process, from system design and equipment supply to commissioning and handover. Our focus is on minimising disruption and maximising long-term efficiency, comfort, and cost savings.
We work with leading brands, including but not limited to:
- Daikin
- Mitsubishi Electric
- Samsung
- Vaillant
- NIBE
- LG
- Hitachi
- Panasonic
- Viessmann
Whether it’s a domestic retrofit or a large-scale commercial system, we have the experience and technical expertise to get it right first time.
Professional Air Source Heat Pump Installers in Essex
Servicing for Air Source Heat Pumps in Essex
To keep your ASHP running reliably and efficiently, regular servicing is essential. At PHS, we provide annual and biannual service plans for homes, offices, retail units, care homes, schools, and more across Essex.
Our air source heat pump servicing includes:
- Full system inspection
- Heat exchanger cleaning
- Refrigerant level checks
- Performance testing
- Electrical and control system checks
- Identification of worn or failing components
Scheduled servicing not only reduces the risk of breakdowns but also extends the lifespan of your system and maintains its manufacturer warranty.
If your air source heat pump is underperforming or has stopped working altogether, our rapid response repair service is available throughout Essex. We aim to diagnose and repair most faults on the first visit, carrying a wide range of spare parts for fast turnaround.
Common ASHP faults we repair include:
- Low heat output or poor efficiency
- Faulty sensors or thermostats
- Leaks in refrigerant lines
- Outdoor unit fan or coil issues
- Unusual noises or vibration
- Error codes and system lockouts
We’re available for emergency callouts and also offer scheduled repair appointments to suit your needs.
Air Source Heat Pump Repairs in Essex
Is an Air Source Heat Pump Right for my Home?
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are suitable for a wide range of properties across Essex, from compact urban homes to larger rural dwellings. Their versatility makes them an increasingly popular choice for both new builds and retrofit projects. But is it the right solution for your heating needs?
ASHPs are a low-carbon, energy-efficient alternative to traditional gas or oil boilers. They extract heat from the outside air, even in low temperatures, and use it to provide heating and hot water. This results in significantly lower CO₂ emissions and can lead to substantial savings on your energy bills, particularly if you’re switching from an older or less efficient system.
In addition to long-term savings, ASHPs are supported by various government incentives, making the initial investment more accessible for many homeowners. Installation is typically faster and less disruptive than other renewable heating systems, with most units fitted and commissioned within a few days.
However, there are several important considerations:
- Insulation: To achieve the best performance and energy savings, your home should be well insulated. Poor insulation can reduce the system’s efficiency and impact your return on investment.
- Outdoor Space: ASHPs require sufficient space for the external unit, which needs good airflow to operate effectively.
- Noise and Air Flow: While modern systems are relatively quiet, the external unit does produce a low hum and emits cold air. Placement should be carefully planned to minimise any impact on surrounding areas.
- Planning Requirements: In most cases, ASHPs fall under permitted development, but certain installations, particularly in listed buildings or conservation areas, may require planning permission.
If you’re considering an air source heat pump for your Essex property, our expert engineers can advise on suitability, expected savings, and system design to ensure optimal results.
The cost of installing an air source heat pump in the UK typically ranges from £7,000 to £14,000, depending on your property size, system specification, and installation complexity. Commercial systems may cost more.
Key factors affecting cost include:
- Size and heat demand of the property
- Type and brand of the ASHP unit
- Existing heating setup
- Insulation levels
- Labour and commissioning requirements
While the initial investment is considerable, ASHPs offer long-term savings on energy bills, especially when replacing oil, LPG, or electric heating. Grants of up to £7,500 are also available through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) for eligible properties.
At PHS Engineers Ltd, we offer transparent pricing and tailored advice to help you choose the most cost-effective solution for your Essex property.
How Much Does an Air Source Heat Pump Cost?
What are the Running Costs of an Air Source Heat Pump?
When designed correctly and fitted in a home with good insulation, air source heat pumps can be up to 300% more efficient than other forms of heating. Here are some numbers to compare:
- ASHP has an input cost of 15.0p/kWh, a running cost of 5.0p/kWh and an efficiency of 300%.
- Mains Gas has an input cost of 4.3/kWh, a running cost of 4.8p/kWh and an efficiency of 89%.
- Electric has an input cost of 15.0p/kWh, a running cost of 15.0p/kWh and an efficiency of 100%.
- Oil has an input cost of 4.9p/kWh, a running cost of 5.3p/kWh and an efficiency of 91.6%.
Please note that these figures can change based on energy prices.
You can also expect that there will be maintenance costs much like other heating sources. In order to maintain your RHI tariff payments, you’ll need to inspect your air source heat pump each year. This can cost around £200 per year if serviced by a qualified heating engineer.
Choosing to install an air source heat pump is a great decision because it gives you access to a number of grants. This is part of the Government’s plan to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and switch to environmentally-friendly options such as air source heat pumps. As such, they have been included in the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which allows you to reduce the cost of installation and also gain access to lower tariff costs at 10.85p/kWh.
The RHI offers homeowners quarterly payments over a seven-year period based on the annual heating consumption of their property, and also the amount of environmentally-friendly energy it produces. At the current rate of 10.85p/kWh for air source heating, you could gain a total of £7,000 through RHI payments over 7 years. This figure is based on an average three-bedroom house that uses 15,000kWh of heating per year.
Air Source Heat Pump Grants
Air Source Heat Pumps FAQs
Since it uses electricity it’s not completely carbon-neutral. However, a heat pump can be a great way to reduce your carbon emissions since it doesn’t use fossil fuels.
It’s recommended to insulate your home and have it up to modern Building Regulation standards to ensure that your air source heat pump can work efficiently.
If your building is well-insulated and you have some space outside your home to install the air source heat pump, then it can be a good choice as an environmentally-friendly way to heat your home.
Air source heat pumps are up to 300% efficient. This means that for every unit of energy it uses, it outputs roughly three times the units in heat energy for the property.
If you’re currently installing or have installed an underfloor heating system, then you’ll be glad to know that an air source heat pump can work perfectly fine with underfloor heating as well. An air source heat pump is extremely efficient when it needs to produce low water temperatures, and this makes it great for an underfloor heating system.
PHS: Air Source Heat Pump Experts
Whether you’re installing a new system, booking a service, or need urgent repairs, our friendly team is here to help.
We provide clear advice and competitive pricing for all air source heat pump services across Essex including but not limited to:
Brentwood, Chelmsford, Dunmow, Braintree, Ingatestone, Maldon, Billericay, Wickford, Pitsea, Westcliff-On-Sea, Thorpe Bay, Shoeburyness, Rochford, Stanford-Le-Hope, Leigh-On-Sea, Laindon, Langdon Hills, Corringham, Basildon, Southend, Rayleigh, Grays, Upminster, Benfleet, Romford, Hornchurch, West Horndon, Colchester, Barking, Ilford, Loughton, Redbridge, Dagenham, Woodham Ferrers, Harold Wood, Woodford Green, Burnham, Witham, Harlow, Mersea.
You can phone us by calling 01206 580 481, or you can send us an email via our contact page. We look forward to hearing from you!