Heat Pumps · Glossary
Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)
A low-carbon heating system that extracts thermal energy from outdoor air and upgrades it to useful heat for radiators, underfloor heating and hot water.
An Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) uses a refrigerant cycle to absorb low-grade heat from the outside air, even at temperatures down to around -15°C, then compresses that heat to a useful temperature for your home. Modern monobloc R290 units commonly deliver flow temperatures of 55-60°C, which means most properties in Cornwall can keep their existing radiators with only minor upgrades.
For every 1kWh of electricity consumed, a well-designed ASHP typically returns 3-4kWh of heat (a SCOP of 3.0-4.0). That makes it roughly three times more efficient than a direct electric heater and significantly cheaper to run than oil or LPG, which are the dominant fuels across rural Cornwall. Sizing is critical: a 4-bed detached in Truro might need an 8-12kW unit, whereas a small mid-terrace in Camborne could be served by a 5kW Vaillant or Daikin.
CCS Heating & Renewables installs ASHPs; with an MCS-certified heat pump installer they can be eligible for the up-to-£9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. Visit our heat pump installation page for system design, or call 01209 596 002.