Frequently asked questions
Here you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions
What is an air source heat pump?
An air source heat pump takes the free air from outside your home and turns it into energy to heat your rooms and water. Designed to work in temperatures as low as -20 degrees celsius, they act as a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional heating systems.
What are the benefits of getting a heat pump?
Air source heat pumps are four times more efficient than gas boilers, emit 75% less carbon and are much more environmentally friendly. Switching to a heat pump will help you save on your energy bills. If you don't have any other gas appliances in your home, you pay another gas bill ever again.
Is it worth getting a heat pump?
There are a number of reasons why an air to water heat pump is a worthwhile investment:
- Heat pumps are four times more efficient than traditional gas and oil boilers, helping reduce your annual energy bills by up to £560 when combined with an Aira Clean Energy tariff.
- They have an average life span of 15-20 years (a typical gas boiler usually lasts around 10 years).
- They are compatible with both underfloor heating and radiators.
- They can increase your home’s value by up to £8,000.
- You can claim £7,500 off your heat pump with the government grant and pay 0% VAT
- Heat pumps produce 75% fewer CO2 emissions than traditional heating systems. 100% if you combine the heat pump with our Aira Zero heat pump tariff.
Is a heat pump noisy?
When in operation, the outdoor unit of the Aira Heat Pump emits a gentle running sound, typically between 56 and 57 decibels, depending on the size of your unit. These noise levels are designed not to be disruptive and naturally fade into the background.
During colder weather, the unit may need to work harder to heat your home and hot water, which can lead to increased noise levels at times.
Will my heat pump provide hot water all the time?
Yes, your Aira Heat Pump will provide hot water all the time. When our Clean Energy Expert conducts your free home energy assessment, they will take your household’s water requirements into account and select the appropriate size of outdoor unit alongside one of our indoor unit systems.
How long does a heat pump last?
With the Aira Comfort Guarantee, we promise that our Aira Heat Pumps will continue to provide a cosy indoor temperature for the next 15 years. Or we'll come out to fix it. And, if you want to extend your cover when your 15 years are up, that’s easy and affordable.
Why is a heat pump more efficient than a boiler?
Heat pumps are four times more efficient than a gas boiler. For every 1kW energy put in, you get around 4kW out, compared to a boiler where you only get 0.9 kW out.
Heat pumps also represent better value for money, because they are much easier to maintain and last longer. They can last over 18 years – that's 25% longer than gas boilers (based on average lifetime of a boiler of 10-15 years).
How much CO2 will I save using a heat pump?
You can save 75% of your carbon emissions by switching to a heat pump. Installing a heat pump is the most important change a household can make to reduce its CO2 emissions and requires the least effort (compared to changes to long-distance travel, travelling and eating habits).
At what temperature does a heat pump stop working?
Heat pumps can provide effective heating in temperatures as low as -25 degrees celsius. And because your package includes our Aira Comfort Guarantee at no extra cost, you’re guaranteed 20 degree celsius cosiness on even the coldest day of the year – or we’ll come straight out to fix it.
How much electricity do heat pumps use?
Even though a heat pump takes energy from the air, the process of turning that energy into heat for your home requires a small amount of electricity. 75% of the energy heat pumps use is generated entirely by free outside air while the remaining 25% is generated by your household electricity supply.
The quantity of heat delivered into your home is much greater than the quantity of electricity used to power the heat pump. This makes it much more sustainable, and cost effective, than a boiler.
What material is my heat pump built made with?
Approximately 80% of the heat pump is steel. The other 20% is made up of plastic, insulation materials, electronics and refrigerant.
Is a heat pump compatible with underfloor heating?
Yes. Heat pumps and underfloor heating are highly compatible. Underfloor heating covers a greater surface area and can therefore run at lower temperatures, helping your heat pump to run more efficiently.
How hot will my water be with an Aira Heat Pump?
The hot water temperature for your home's taps and showers is typically set to 55°C for our 250L indoor units and 60°C for our 100L indoor units. This ensures the heat pump operates efficiently while maintaining its capacity. A safety valve is installed outside the unit to prevent scalding.
What temperature will my heating be able to reach?
As part of the Aira Comfort Guarantee, the 15 Year Performance Guarantee promises a cosy indoor temperature between 18˚C-22˚C, even on the coldest day of the year (depending on the room and based on expected minimum temperatures).
If not, we’ll come out to fix it at no extra cost.
Read our terms and conditions under “warranty” to learn more about our heat pump’s ability to maintain minimum indoor temperature.
Can any animals get into the outdoor unit?
An air source heat pump is a sealed unit.
How is the outdoor unit protected from bad weather?
Our air source heat pumps are sealed units designed to withstand all weather conditions. They have built-in safeguards, like an automated de-icing cycle, to protect against extreme weather.
Is it possible to paint my heat pump?
We don't recommend making any alterations to your heat pump as this will affect the product warranty.
Can I view a heat pump before I buy?
Leading UK innovation agency, Nesta, offers a free service that connects you with local heat pump owners to see these systems in action. This allows you to learn about heat pumps in real-world settings and make an informed decision. Register to view a heat pump here.
How can I claim the £7,500 government grant and 0% VAT?
We'll ask some initial questions to check your home is suitable for a heat pump (70% of homes are). We will then help you claim this grant through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and guide you through the application. We will provide all the support and information you'd need from the initial application to the day of the installation.
How often does a heat pump need servicing and how much does it cost?
An air source heat pump is much more durable than a gas boiler. If you do experience any issues with your heating or hot water system, with the Aira Comfort Guarantee, we’ll come and fix it free of charge. No parts to pay for, no labour costs and no call out charge – everything is included.
What happens if I sell my house?
The monthly repayment plan is a personal loan. So if you sell your house, you will still be responsible for making the repayments. As installing a heat pump could increase the value of your home, it's possible you will make the money back through your sale.
I've received my Aira estimate. What happens next?
We'll get the ball rolling with a quick call to find out if your home is already heat pump ready. We will discuss various aspects of your property, such as the size of your home and when it was built. Then we will arrange for one of our Aira Experts to visit you for a home energy assessment.
How do I prepare for my home energy assessment?
Our home assessments usually take an hour and a half. Our time together will be extra productive if you can arrange for us to have:
- Easy access to every room, including a loft if you have one
- Your recent energy bills
- Access to your boiler and electrical board
What happens during my home energy assessment?
Our Clean Energy Experts will survey your home and assess features such as insulation, thickness of walls and size of windows to calculate the best energy saving solution for your home.
What happens during installation?
On your scheduled installation day, our Aira technicians will arrive at your property and explain the process before getting started. Installation of your air to water heat pump shouldn't take more than a few days and we make every effort to minimise disruption throughout.
Will I have hot water during installation?
In most cases, we will be able to change your heating equipment within a day and have hot water production up and running rapidly. This means that you'll only be without hot water for about 8-10 hours.
Do I need to be home at the time of installation?
You will need to be at home on the first day of your air to water heat pump installation, so that our Aira Experts can explain the process to you and answer any questions you might have. After that, they'll simply get on with the job in the least intrusive way possible.
How long will I have to wait to get my heat pump installed?
We offer hassle-free installation of your bespoke heat pump within 30 days of approving your qoute. In some cases, planning permission (DNO approval) is required before we can begin the installation. Don’t worry, we will manage these processes on your behalf to ensure efficiency and accuracy.
How long does it take to install an air source heat pump?
Installation of your air to water heat pump is usually complete in under four days. If we think your installation might take longer, we will let you know.
Will I need to clean the outdoor unit after installation?
The Aira engineers will provide simple tips for maintaining your air source heat pump.
Can the indoor unit be installed in my garage?
Yes, our indoor unit can be installed in a garage, but our experts will recommend the best location for your air to water heat pump after visiting your home.
Is Aira a technology company?
Aira is a new type of home energy company. We’re on a mission to bring clean energy tech to every home. With our breakthrough tech we’re tackling the single biggest source of CO2 emissions: residential heating.
How do I get in touch with Aira about career opportunities?
You can apply for our technical and HQ roles and learn about the Aira Academy here.
What career opportunities are available at Aira?
We are hiring for a number of opportunities, ranging from installer and technical support roles to sales, marketing and administrative roles. You can find more about our live opportunities here.