The term ‘Heat Pumps‘ refers to a group of technologies that incorporate HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) devices that provide heat energy that is transferred from a source of heat or warmth, to a destination called a heat sink, effectively ‘pumping‘ warmth from one place to another. Heat pumps move thermal energy in the opposite direction of spontaneous heat flow by absorbing heat from a cold space and releasing it to a warmer one. Their primary function is space heating through radiators, underfloor heating systems, or warm air convectors, they can also be used to heat water for use in your home or business. Most heating pumps have fantastic climate control capabilities and can be used to provide space cooling by simply reversing the process of space heating. In many ways, a heat pump is functionally the same as conventional air conditioners. It’s basically an air conditioner that can reverse itself. 

The terms ‘split’ and ‘monobloc’ refer to how the system is required to be set up in a home. A monobloc is a bit like a combi boiler and is literally a ‘single block’ system, where the heat pump has all of its components (apart from the hot water cylinder which is installed in the home) located inside a heat pump unit situated outside the home. Because a monobloc does not require someone with F Gas qualifications to get involved in the use of refrigerants, they are an excellent additional string to the bow of most professional heating installers who, after attending a relevant training course, will be well placed to join the growing band of installers that will be required to fit these excellent heating systems here in our home market. A split heat pump unit, however, has both an outside unit, which incorporates the heat exchanger and refrigerant, and an internal unit, which sits inside the property, usually in a utility or boiler room. Most homes in the UK are ideal for a monobloc air to water heat pump. A split system is an option generally for more complex installations, and it can be installed up to 30m away from the home, which gives far more installational flexibility.