What Are The Best Air Source Heat Pumps of 2024?

What Is An Air Source Heat Pump?

An air source heat pump otherwise referred to as an air-to-water source heat pump is an efficient low-carbon way of heating your home. They look similar to an air-conditioning unit and transfer heat from outside air to water, which then heats your rooms via the radiators or underfloor heating. It can also heat water stored in a hot water cylinder for your hot taps, showers and baths.

The heat from the air is absorbed into a fluid which is then passed through a heat exchanger into the heat pump. This then raises the temperature and transfers that heat to water.

Their sizes depend on how much heat they'll need to produce for your home. The more heat required, the bigger the heat pump.

The Best Air Source Heat Pumps

Grant Aerona³ R32

The number one air source heat pump on the market right now is the Grant Aerona³ R32 and fortunately it’s also the best value model around, at just £5,394.

Despite being the cheapest top-quality heat pump available, its efficiency rating is still a staggering 479% - producing 4.79 units of heat for every unit of electricity it uses.

The average efficiency rating on most heat pumps falls between 350% and 400%, making the Grant Aerona³ R32 a true one of a kind. Weighing in at 120kg, it’s also the lightest in our list of best air source heat pumps of 2024.

Hitachi Yutaki M RASM-4VNE

With a whopping efficiency rating of 500%, the Hitachi Yutaki M RASM-4VNE will save you thousands of pounds over its lifetime, when compared to using gas boilers.

It has a maximum output of 11kW which is low compared to the other top heat pumps but will still be plenty of power to heat most homes.

Homeowners with a medium sized house should buy Hitachi’s heat pump as soon as possible, because you’ll start seeing the financial benefits immediately. It's definitely considered one of the best air source heat pumps.

LG Therma V R32 Monobloc

LG providing on the best air source heat pumps. If you live somewhere where the temperature is less than ideal (aka below freezing) - the LG’s Therma V R32 Monobloc will still be able to function at temperatures as low as -25°C.

So when the snow and icy winds are in full force, it’s a huge relief knowing you don’t have to go out in the cold and fix the heating.

HydroPro ECO 12

Another one of the best air source heat pumps is the HydroPro ECO 12. Pool owners might want to invest in it as it's making a huge splash in the heat pump market.

It has a maximum power of 12kW and an impressive efficiency rating of 480%, and all at an affordable price.

Vaillant flexoTHERM 400v

The Vaillant flexoTHERM 400v is up there with one of the best air source heat pumps as it can provide you with heating and hot water in just seconds, reaching temperatures of 65°C in no time.

If you compare this to a hot shower that comes in around 40°C to 45°C, that should be more than enough.

It also has a high efficiency rate, meaning it’ll still save you plenty of money, despite using more energy than most heat pumps.

If you have a large house with high heat demand, then the Vaillant flexoTHERM 400vs is the one for you.

NIBE F2040

The NIBE F2040 is a model that’s five times as efficient as a gas boiler and extremely well priced, making it one of the best air source heat pumps.

It also comes with a sleek seven-year warranty and has enough power to comfortably heat a three-bedroom house.

The NIBE F2040 is a nifty air source heat pump you can rely on.

Air Source Heat Pump Installation Cost

Air source heat pump installation can range anywhere from £3,000 to £10,000, which can feel steep, but fortunately the government is there to help with grants available. This includes the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Green Deal. The total cost will largely depend on how long complicated the installation is and therefore how long it takes to complete.

Whilst air source heat pump installation can have a high upfront cost, the heat pumps have an average life span of 15-20 years. During this time, the heat pump should have paid for itself with the savings you will make each year. There are steps you can take to maximise on how much you save, which are best to do before you begin your air source heat pump installation, such as properly insulating your property.

Air Source Heat Pump Maintenance

Fortunately, you won't need to have your air source heat pumped serviced as regularly as a traditional boiler. However, you may need to keep your system running all the time during the winter months so you can keep heating up your property effectively.

When your air source heat pump is serviced, your system’s expansion vessel pressure will be checked. Top-ups will be carried out if needed, and the heat pump circuit filter will be checked and cleaned. The valves will be checked for freedom movement, and there will be checks to make sure the water stops and both valves are able to rest properly. The primary system safety valve will be checked to make sure it is discharging securely. The system refrigerant will need to be topped up, and the specialist will ensure the primary system pressure isn’t rising higher than necessary. Air may be released from the system, and fuses may be checked and corrected if necessary. The thermostats will also be checked, as will yield performance. It’s likely that motorised values will also be assessed for efficiency. You should receive a certificate once the servicing process has come to an end.

What to Do Next

So there you have it. We’ve listed what to look out for when buying one of the best air source heat pumps along with the best brands of 2024. Here are a few final points:

• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which started in April 2022

• The scheme could save your air source heat pump installation costs by £7,500

This means that not only will you be able to have your heat pumps installed with no issues, you’ll also be saving money for years to come as they typically last up to 20 years. That’s twice as long as a typical gas boiler.