If you’re considering upgrading your park home heating system, air source heat pumps might have caught your attention. They’re becoming more popular in residential park homes across the UK, but are they really worth the investment? We’ll help you understand exactly what these systems offer, how much they cost, and whether they make sense for your specific situation.
With rising energy bills and a growing focus on sustainable living, many of our residents at Arden Parks have been asking about heat pump technology. We’ve seen firsthand what works well in our residential park communities and what factors make the biggest difference in homeowner satisfaction.
Key Takeaways:
- Air source heat pumps can provide efficient heating for properly insulated park homes
- Initial installation costs range from £7,000-£13,000, with potential government grants available
- Typical savings of 25-50% on heating bills compared to electric heating systems
- Installation takes 2-3 days for most park homes with minimal disruption
- Heat pumps work most efficiently in well-insulated homes with sufficient outside space
How air source heat pumps work in park homes
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) extract warmth from the outside air and transfer it into your park home. Think of them as refrigerators working in reverse – instead of removing heat from inside to cool down, they capture heat from outside to warm up your home.
In park homes, these systems typically consist of an outdoor unit (about the size of a small air conditioning unit) and indoor components that distribute the heat. The outdoor unit houses a fan that draws air across a heat exchanger containing refrigerant. This refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air, which is then compressed to increase its temperature before being transferred to your home’s heating system.
Most park homes use one of two distribution systems:
- Air-to-water systems – These connect to your wet central heating system and work with radiators or underfloor heating
- Air-to-air systems – These blow warm air directly into your home using fan units
For residential park homes, air-to-water systems are typically more suitable as they can also provide hot water for your bathroom and kitchen, unlike air-to-air systems which only provide heating.
In terms of space requirements, you’ll need:
- An outdoor area with good airflow for the external unit (approximately 1m²)
- Sufficient wall space or floor area for the indoor components
- Appropriate pipework routes between the units
The good news for park home owners is that ASHPs can often be retrofitted to work with existing heating infrastructure. If your park home already has radiators, they might need upgrading to larger ones as heat pumps operate at lower temperatures than traditional boilers.
At Leedons Residential Park, where mains natural gas is available, several residents have successfully integrated ASHPs into their homes, demonstrating that these systems can work effectively within the unique construction of residential park homes.
Costs and savings: The financial side of heat pumps
The financial aspect of installing an air source heat pump in your park home involves considering both upfront costs and long-term savings.
Initial installation for a typical park home costs between £7,000 and £13,000, depending on the system size and complexity. This includes:
- The heat pump unit itself: £4,000-£8,000
- Installation labour: £1,500-£2,500
- Additional components (new radiators, pipework, etc.): £1,500-£2,500
However, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers grants of £5,000 toward heat pump installation, which can significantly reduce your initial outlay. Park home owners are eligible for this scheme, provided they meet the general criteria.
Running costs vary based on several factors, including:
- Your park home’s size and insulation quality
- The efficiency of the heat pump (measured by its Coefficient of Performance or CoP)
- Your electricity tariff
- Local climate conditions
Typically, for a well-insulated park home, you can expect to save between 25-50% on heating bills compared to electric heating systems. If you’re currently using LPG for heating, savings can be even greater with current energy prices.
The payback period for most park home installations ranges from 7-12 years with the government grant, which is within the expected 15-20 year lifespan of a quality heat pump system. Maintenance costs are relatively low, with an annual service costing around £150-£200.
For residents at Broadway Park, where many homes have already upgraded to more efficient heating systems, the financial benefits have been particularly noticeable during winter months when traditional electric heating costs typically surge.
Are air source heat pumps suitable for your park home?
Not all residential park homes will benefit equally from air source heat pumps. Several key factors determine whether an ASHP is right for your situation:
Insulation Quality
Insulation is perhaps the most important factor. Heat pumps work best in well-insulated homes because they operate at lower temperatures than traditional heating systems. Park homes built to modern BS3632 standards typically have sufficient insulation, but older models may need upgrading first.
If your park home was built before 2000, you might need to consider:
- Upgrading floor insulation
- Adding or improving wall insulation
- Installing better roof insulation
- Upgrading to double or triple glazing
These improvements not only make heat pumps more effective but also reduce your overall energy consumption.
Available Space
You’ll need suitable space for the outdoor unit, which should be:
- Well-ventilated with good air circulation
- Away from bedroom windows (as there is some noise during operation)
- Accessible for maintenance
- On a solid base (concrete or similar)
The size requirements are relatively modest, but placement is important for both efficiency and noise management.
Current Heating System
Park homes with existing wet central heating systems (radiators or underfloor heating) are easier and less expensive to convert than those with only electric panel heaters.
Homes at our residential parks come with various heating setups, and we’ve seen successful installations across different configurations, though some require more adaptation than others.
For most residential park homes of the maximum permitted size (50ft x 22ft) in our communities, air source heat pumps can provide effective heating when properly specified and installed. Particularly suitable are newer park homes with good insulation and sufficient space between neighboring units.
What our park home residents say about heat pumps
We’ve gathered feedback from residents at our parks who have installed air source heat pumps in their homes. Their experiences provide valuable insights for those considering this heating solution.
Margaret and John from Leedons Residential Park had their ASHP installed last winter. “The biggest difference we’ve noticed is how evenly the home stays heated,” Margaret told us. “With our old electric radiators, we had cold spots and the heating would cycle on and off. Now the temperature stays consistent, and our electricity bills have gone down by about a third.”
However, they do mention there was an adjustment period. “It took us a couple of weeks to get used to how the system works,” John explained. “Heat pumps provide a more gentle, continuous heat rather than the quick blast of warmth you get from conventional systems.”
Alan at Broadway Park highlighted the summer benefits: “We were surprised that it provides cooling in summer too. It’s not like full air conditioning, but it takes the edge off during hot days, which makes our park home much more comfortable year-round.”
Several residents mentioned the noise level. While modern ASHPs are relatively quiet, they do produce some sound similar to a refrigerator or air conditioning unit. Most found it unobtrusive, especially after proper installation with anti-vibration mounts.
The most common advice from current owners is to ensure you choose an installer with specific experience in park homes. “Our first quote was from someone who clearly didn’t understand the construction differences in park homes,” said Elizabeth from Leedons. “The company we eventually went with had done several installations in parks like ours, and that expertise made all the difference.”
Installation process and what to expect
If you decide an air source heat pump is right for your park home, here’s what to expect during the installation process:
Pre-installation assessment
A qualified installer should conduct a thorough assessment of your park home, including:
- Measuring your home’s heat loss
- Evaluating existing radiators or heating distribution systems
- Checking insulation levels
- Identifying the best location for the external unit
- Determining appropriate system size based on your heating needs
This assessment is crucial for proper system sizing and identifying any preparatory work needed.
Installation timeline
For most residential park homes, the installation takes 2-3 days. The process typically follows this sequence:
- Day 1: Installing the outdoor unit and preparing pipework routes
- Day 2: Connecting indoor components and integrating with existing heating system
- Day 3: System commissioning, testing, and user training
During installation, you can expect some disruption, including periods without heating or hot water. Most installers will try to minimize this disruption, and many residents find they can remain in their homes throughout the process.
Post-installation
After installation, your installer should:
- Thoroughly explain how to operate the system
- Provide documentation for maintenance and warranty
- Set up initial programming for optimal efficiency
- Explain any behavioral adjustments needed (such as keeping temperatures more constant)
Many of our park home residents find they need a few weeks to adapt to the different heating characteristics of heat pumps. Unlike traditional systems that quickly heat up and cool down, heat pumps work best when maintaining a steady temperature.
Most manufacturers recommend an annual service check, similar to what you’d arrange for a boiler. This helps ensure efficiency and longevity of the system.
Conclusion
Air source heat pumps can be a worthwhile investment for many residential park home owners, especially those in well-insulated properties looking to reduce their carbon footprint and long-term energy costs.
While the initial outlay is significant, government incentives and potential savings make them increasingly attractive. The most successful installations we’ve seen at our parks have been in newer or well-insulated homes where owners took time to understand how to optimize their system.
If you’re considering an air source heat pump for your park home, we suggest:
- Speaking with residents who have already made the switch
- Getting multiple quotes from installers with specific park home experience
- Having a professional assessment of your home’s insulation quality
- Checking your eligibility for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant
For more information about our residential park home communities and the facilities we offer, you can explore Leedons Residential Park or Broadway Park on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can air source heat pumps provide enough hot water for park home needs?
Yes, air-to-water heat pump systems can provide sufficient hot water for typical park home usage. They generally include a hot water cylinder that stores heated water for when you need it. The system prioritizes hot water production when required, ensuring you have enough for showers, washing up, and other household needs.
How do air source heat pumps perform in very cold weather?
Modern air source heat pumps can operate efficiently down to temperatures of -15°C or lower. While efficiency does decrease somewhat in very cold conditions, technological improvements mean they can still provide effective heating during typical British winter temperatures. For park homes in the Worcestershire countryside, this means year-round reliable heating.
Will an air source heat pump affect my council tax band?
Installing an air source heat pump should not affect your council tax band. Most residential park homes at our locations are in council tax band A, and adding a heat pump is considered an improvement rather than an extension that would trigger a reassessment.
Can I still use my existing radiators with an air source heat pump?
Sometimes, but not always. Heat pumps operate at lower temperatures than traditional boilers, so existing radiators may need to be replaced with larger ones or supplemented with additional units. Your installer should assess your current radiators and advise on any necessary changes during the pre-installation survey.
Are there planning permission requirements for installing heat pumps in park homes?
In most cases, air source heat pumps fall under permitted development rights, meaning planning permission isn’t required. However, there are some conditions regarding placement and noise levels. Additionally, you should check with park management before proceeding, as there may be site-specific rules regarding external equipment installation.
