Air Source Heat Pump Powered by Solar Panels

Heat pumps require electricity to run, and of course, since electricity is renewable, this begs the question, can solar panels power a heat pump?

Solar panels can generate enough energy to power your home's heat pump. Solar panels and heat pumps work well together and will lower your overall electricity costs.

However, things are never black and white, so keep reading below. I will share with you more in-depth information and details about everything you need to know about this interesting topic.

How much electricity does an air source heat pump need to run

Air source heat pumps are considered to be one of the most energy efficient ways to heat a home. Depending on the coefficient of performance (CoP) of air source heat pumps, they can achieve efficiencies of 200-350% because they produce significantly more heat than the electrical input per unit of energy. Compared to boilers, heat pumps are up to 350% more efficient (3 to 4 times) because they consume far less energy relative to the heat they output for household use.

The energy required to operate an air source heat pump depends on several factors, including the local climate and seasonality, the condition of the ductwork and insulation, and the condition and size of the property.

When calculating the amount of electricity required to run an air source heat pump, you need to consider its CoP. The higher it is, the better because it means you will use less electricity to generate the heat you need.

Let's look at an example...

For every 1 kWh of electricity, the air source heat pump can generate 3 kWh of heat. The average annual demand for most UK households is around 12,000 kWh.

12,000 kWh (heat demand) / 3kWh (heat produced per unit of electricity) = 4,000 kWh of electricity.

If your electricity price is £0.15 per unit¹, running an air source heat pump will cost you £600.

However, if you can run an air source heat pump with the electricity generated by the solar panels, it's free. But is it really possible?

Are solar panels compatible with air source heat pumps?

Technically, solar panels can power almost any device in your home, from washing machines to TVs. Even better, they can also power your air source heat pump!

Yes, it is possible to combine solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with air source heat pumps to generate heating and hot water to meet your needs while being more environmentally friendly.

But can you power your air source heat pump with just solar panels? Well, it will depend on the size of your solar panel.

Unfortunately, it's not as easy as sticking a few solar panels on the roof. The amount of electricity a solar panel produces depends largely on the size of the solar panel, the efficiency of the solar cells, and the peak insolation levels in your area.

Solar photovoltaic panels work by absorbing sunlight and converting it into electricity. Therefore, the larger the surface area of solar panels, the more sunlight they absorb and the more electricity they generate. It's also worth having as many solar panels as you can, especially if you're looking to power an air source heat pump.

The size of a solar panel system is measured in kW, and the measurement refers to the amount of electricity the solar panel produces during each peak hour of sunlight. The average power of a solar panel system is around 3-4 kW, which reflects the maximum output produced on a sunny day. This number may be lower if it is cloudy or in the early morning or evening when the sun is not at its peak. A 4 kW system will generate approximately 3,400 kWh of electricity per year.

How many solar panels do I need?

The average solar panel produces about 250 watts of power, which means you need to install 4 panels to create a 1 kW system. For a 2kW system you need 8 panels and for a 3kW system you need 12 panels. you understood.

An average household (family of 4) might need a 3-4kW solar panel system to generate enough electricity to power the home, which is equivalent to 12-16 panels.

But going back to our previous calculation, an air source heat pump needs 4,000 kWh of electricity to generate 12,000 kWh (heat demand), so you may need a larger 16+ panel system to power your air source heat pump exclusively.

This means that while solar panels should be able to generate most of the electricity needed to power an air-source heat pump, they are unlikely to generate enough electricity to power other home appliances without using grid power.

The best way to find out how many solar panels you need in your home is to get an evaluation by a qualified engineer. They will advise you how many solar panels you need to power your home and air source heat pump.

What if solar panels can't generate enough electricity?

If your solar panels cannot generate enough electricity to power your home or air source heat pump, you will be able to use energy from the grid to meet your needs. Remember, you will pay for any energy you use from the grid. Therefore, a professional assessment of the number of solar panels that power the air source heat pump must be done.

What are the advantages of using solar panels to power an air source heat pump?

1. Cost savings

Depending on your current heat source, an air source heat pump can save you up to £1,300 a year on your heating bills. Air source heat pumps tend to be more cost-effective to operate than non-renewable alternatives such as oil and LPG boilers, and these savings will be increased by using solar panels to power the heat pump.

Air source heat pumps are powered by electricity, so you can minimize heating costs by using the free solar energy generated by the panels.

2. Prevent rising energy costs

By using solar panels to power your air source heat pump, you can protect yourself from rising energy costs. Once you've paid off the cost of installing your solar panels, the energy you generate is free, so you don't need to worry about gas, oil or electricity being added any time.

3. Reduce reliance on the grid and carbon footprint

By switching to air source heat pumps powered by solar panels, homeowners can reduce their reliance on grid power and gas. Given that the grid is still mostly made up of non-renewable energy sources (and we all know how bad fossil fuels are for the environment), this is a great way to reduce carbon emissions and reduce your carbon footprint.

Air source heat pumps - a new way to heat homes

Whether you're looking to replace your old boiler or reduce your carbon footprint, an air source heat pump can provide an efficient and cost-effective way to heat your home. Also, if you already have solar panels installed or plan to install them in the near future, it's worth converting and benefiting from free electricity to run your air source heat pump.

Installation prices for air source heat pumps start from £4,000 using Leomon's Clean Heat Switch, and government incentives for renewable heat can be used to help cover some or all of the cost.

We are a professional air source heat pump manufacturer. Contact us for more professional help and a free quote.