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The way we heat our homes is changing. At Hopkins Homes, we are creating high-quality homes that combine enduring craftsmanship with efficient technology designed around modern life.

Many of our new homes are fitted with Vaillant air source heat pumps, offering a lower-carbon alternative to traditional gas or oil heating systems.

Air source heat pumps provide heating and hot water by drawing warmth from the outside air. They work throughout the year, including during cold weather, and are designed to maintain a steady, comfortable temperature throughout the home.

Here, we answer some of the most common questions about how air source heat pumps work and what living with one means day to day.

What is an air source heat pump?

An air source heat pump is an energy-efficient system that heats your home and provides hot water using warmth from the outside air.

It works a little like a refrigerator in reverse. Instead of removing heat from inside, it collects naturally occurring heat outdoors and raises it to a temperature that can be used by your heating and hot water system.

Because a heat pump transfers heat rather than creating it by burning fuel, it can use less energy than a traditional heating system.

How does an air source heat pump heat a home?

Air source heat pumps provide a gentle and consistent level of warmth over a longer period, rather than the short bursts of intense heat often produced by a boiler.

This helps maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the day, with fewer noticeable rises and falls.

The Vaillant systems installed in Hopkins homes can operate at flow temperatures of up to 75°C, supporting reliable heating and hot water throughout the seasons.

Many of our homes with air source heat pumps also include underfloor heating on the ground floor. By warming rooms evenly from the floor upwards, it creates a comfortable living environment without the need for radiators downstairs.

This can also make rooms feel more open and flexible, giving you greater freedom when arranging furniture and planning your interiors.

Do air source heat pumps provide hot water?

Yes. An air source heat pump provides hot water for baths, showers and everyday household use, as well as heating your home.

A dedicated cylinder stores hot water until it is needed, supporting the everyday demands of family life. The system’s higher flow temperatures also help provide dependable hot water without relying heavily on electric back-up heating.

Are air source heat pumps energy efficient?

Air source heat pumps are designed to produce more heat energy than the electrical energy they use.

Across the year, Vaillant systems can provide more than five units of heat for each unit of electricity consumed. Actual performance and running costs will depend on factors including household usage, weather conditions and the chosen electricity tariff.

Heat pumps can also work alongside solar panels and smart electricity tariffs, helping homeowners make greater use of lower-cost or renewable electricity where available.

Combined with modern insulation and construction methods, they form part of a wider approach to creating homes that are economical to run and produce fewer household carbon emissions.

Can an air source heat pump reduce energy bills?

An air source heat pump has the potential to reduce energy use and heating costs, although savings will vary between households.

Factors including the size and efficiency of the home, preferred indoor temperature, hot water use and electricity tariff will all affect running costs.

Independent research referenced in our homeowner guide indicates that new-build homes can be around 21% cheaper to run than older properties, potentially saving homeowners more than £420 a year on energy bills.

Are air source heat pumps better for the environment?

Air source heat pumps offer a lower-carbon alternative to heating systems that burn gas or oil.

As no fuel is burned inside the home, they can reduce the carbon emissions associated with heating and hot water. Their environmental benefits are also expected to increase as more UK electricity is generated from renewable sources.

Living in a gas-free home may also mean there is no gas standing charge, no annual gas safety inspection and no risk of carbon monoxide being produced by the heating system.

Do air source heat pumps work in winter?

Yes. Air source heat pumps are designed to work throughout the year, including during freezing weather.

Even when outside temperatures fall below zero, the air still contains heat energy that the system can collect and use. Vaillant air source heat pumps are designed and tested to operate in temperatures as low as −25°C.

Heat pumps are also widely used in colder European countries, including Norway and Sweden.

Are air source heat pumps noisy?

Modern air source heat pumps are designed to operate quietly.

The external unit sits discreetly outside the home, with selected Vaillant models offering sound power levels as low as 54 decibels.

Inside, the main components and hot water storage are housed within a compact unit approximately the size of a fridge-freezer.

How do you control an air source heat pump?

Vaillant controls allow you to manage heating temperatures, schedules and hot water in much the same way as a traditional heating system.

Heat pumps generally work most efficiently when they are left to maintain a steady temperature, rather than being switched on and off frequently.

Once your preferred settings have been chosen, the system can work quietly in the background to keep your home comfortable.

Why don’t heat pump radiators feel very hot?

Radiators connected to an air source heat pump may feel warm rather than hot to the touch. This is completely normal.

Heat pumps provide heat steadily over a longer period instead of producing a sudden burst of very high temperatures. The system is designed to maintain a consistent room temperature, even when the radiators do not feel as hot as those connected to a traditional boiler.

Do air source heat pumps need servicing?

Yes. An annual service is recommended to help an air source heat pump continue to operate efficiently and reliably.

Regular servicing can help maintain the manufacturer’s warranty, support long-term performance and provide reassurance that the system is working correctly.

Servicing costs are generally comparable with those of a modern gas boiler. As heat pumps do not use combustion and contain fewer moving parts, they can also be relatively straightforward to maintain.

Why has Hopkins Homes chosen Vaillant?

Vaillant has more than 140 years of experience in heating technology and over 40 years of expertise in heat pump development.

Its air source heat pumps are designed and manufactured in Europe, with homeowners supported by an established UK service network.

By working with Vaillant, we can provide our customers with dependable heating technology designed for long-term comfort, performance and reliability.

Built for comfort. Designed for the future.

An air source heat pump is more than a different way to heat your home. It forms part of our considered approach to creating homes that are comfortable, efficient and thoughtfully designed for the years ahead.

With reliable heating, plentiful hot water and lower-carbon technology working quietly in the background, it is designed to support everyday life without compromising on comfort.

Explore our developments and discover a Hopkins home designed for today and the future.