An air source heat pump (ASHP) is a highly efficient, electrically powered heating system that transfers heat from the outside air into your home. It operates using a refrigeration cycle, similar to a reverse fridge, allowing it to extract usable heat even in low outdoor temperatures.
The most commonly used type in the UK is the air-to-water heat pump, which supplies hot water to radiators, underfloor heating systems, and hot water cylinders. By generating more heat energy than the electricity it consumes, an ASHP can offer efficiencies of 300-400%, making it a more sustainable alternative to gas or oil boilers.
Benefits of an air source heat pump include:
As London moves towards greener energy targets, air source heat pumps are becoming a preferred solution for both domestic and commercial properties. At PHS Engineers Ltd, we help clients across the capital transition to renewable heating with expertly designed, installed, and maintained systems.
At PHS Engineers Ltd, we provide professional air source heat pump installation across Kent, helping homeowners and commercial clients switch to low-carbon heating with confidence. Our MCS-accredited engineers design and install bespoke systems that align with the heating demands and structural characteristics of your property.
We work with leading brands, including but not limited to:
Whether you’re replacing a traditional boiler or integrating a heat pump into a new build, we manage the entire process – from initial consultation and heat loss calculations to commissioning and handover. We also provide guidance on government incentives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which can significantly reduce your upfront investment.
Maintaining your air source heat pump is essential to keeping it running efficiently and extending its service life. At PHS Engineers Ltd, we offer comprehensive ASHP servicing throughout Kent, ensuring your system operates at peak performance all year round.
Our servicing includes:
We recommend annual servicing for domestic systems and more frequent checks for high-demand or commercial applications. Regular maintenance helps prevent breakdowns, preserves warranty cover, and ensures your system continues to deliver energy savings.
If your air source heat pump is showing signs of reduced performance or has failed entirely, our expert repair team is ready to help. Covering the whole of Kent, our F-Gas certified engineers provide prompt, professional repairs on all major ASHP brands.
We routinely fix issues such as:
Our engineers carry diagnostic equipment and commonly required parts to resolve most problems on the first visit. Whether it’s an urgent call-out or a planned repair, we work efficiently to restore your system and minimise disruption.
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) offer an energy-efficient, low-carbon alternative to conventional heating systems and are well-suited to a wide range of Kent properties. Whether you live in a terraced home, a flat with suitable outdoor space, or a detached house, an ASHP can deliver long-term energy savings while significantly reducing your carbon emissions.
These systems perform best in well-insulated homes, where they can operate efficiently at lower flow temperatures. If your property already meets modern insulation standards or you’re planning upgrades, an ASHP can provide consistent heating throughout the year with minimal electricity consumption.
Important Considerations:
If you’re unsure whether an air source heat pump is suitable for your property, PHS Engineers Ltd can carry out a full site assessment and offer expert guidance on system feasibility, expected efficiency, and available funding.
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:
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 Kent property.
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:
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.
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.
Whether you’re installing a new air source heat pump, maintaining an existing system, or in need of urgent repairs, PHS Engineers Ltd is here to support you across Kent. Our experienced engineers deliver reliable, high-quality service tailored to your property’s needs. From initial consultation to aftercare, we ensure your transition to low-carbon heating is smooth, compliant, and cost-effective.
Our heatings engineers are available 24/7 all across Kent including but not limited to: Sevenoaks, Dartford, Gravesham, Tonbridge and Malling, Medway, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Swale, Ashford, Canterbury, Shepway, Thanet, Dover.
You can phone us by calling 0208 252 8927, or you can send us an email via our contact page.
Take the next step towards cleaner, more cost-effective heating – we’re here to help every step of the way.