Do I Need New Radiators With An Air Source Heat Pump?

If you’re considering upgrading your central heating to an air source heat pump, there’s probably one question in particular floating around your mind: ‘Do I need new radiators with a heat pump?’

Well, it depends. But don’t worry, we’ll get into all the details in a minute. We’ve put together this guide to help you understand whether or not you need new radiators, which radiators you might need if you do, the benefits of upgrading your radiators, other options to consider and much more. 

To speak directly to an expert or for a free air source heat pump installation quote, just call the friendly team at Rollings Renewables on 01905 621777. 

Can I Keep My Existing Radiators After Upgrading? 

Yes. Upgrading your radiators after a heat pump installation isn’t mandatory. Provided your radiators aren’t especially old, you should be able to keep your existing ones in place.

However, air source heat pump radiator temperatures are much lower than with gas boilers. Heat pumps produce steadier heat at around 35˚C to 45˚C, rather than the roughly 75˚C+ kicked out by gas boilers in short bursts. Get more information about the differences between air source heat pumps and gas boilers in our blog post.

With a lower temperature, you may need more surface area to heat your home efficiently, meaning new, larger radiators might be a good investment. It’s not always necessary, but it will likely help make your heat pump more effective. 

Are Radiators Compatible With Heat Pumps? 

As well as wondering ‘Do I need new radiators with a heat pump?’, you might be curious about whether radiators in general are compatible with heat pumps, and whether some types might be better than others.

Radiators in general are entirely compatible with heat pumps, but there are certainly some designs that will give better performance. These include options such as larger or oversized radiators, fan-assisted radiators and aluminium radiators. 

What Radiators Are Best For Air Source Heat Pumps? 

Because air source heat pump radiator temperatures are lower than traditional central heating, they need to be able to dissipate their heat faster. Certain types of radiators cater to this better than others. Some of the most optimal designs for heat pumps include:

• Large radiators – an increased size means a larger surface area, allowing heat to be dispersed faster.
• Fan-assisted radiators – the use of a fan helps draw heat out of the radiator and circulate it around your property more easily.
• Aluminium radiators – aluminium is far more conductive than metals such as steel or cast iron that have been traditionally used for radiators, allowing heat to escape more readily.

Which type best suits your property will depend on its style, age and size, as well as how well insulated it is. If you’re unsure which style you need, it’s best to consult with your installation engineer, who will be able to provide expert advice and carry out calculations to determine the amount of surface area you need to effectively distribute the heat. 

Do Heat Pumps Require Bigger Radiators? 

In some cases, yes. Whether or not you need bigger radiators may depend on how well insulated your home is and the size of your existing radiators.

It’s not always necessary to go bigger. The basic objective is to increase heat conduction, which can be achieved in other ways. For example, you could install radiators with more fins or panels, which can increase the surface area without making the radiator that much bigger overall.

Alternatively, radiators made from more conductive materials, such as aluminium or with fan assistance, can help release and distribute heat faster without taking up more space. 

Are There Benefits To Upgrading Your Radiators With A Heat Pump? 

Let’s look at the benefits of upgrading your radiators.

• Faster heating – upgrading your radiators to improve heat dissipation will help ensure your home heats up faster, saving waiting hours to get comfortable.
• Greater energy efficiency – allowing your heat pump system to work more effectively will reduce the amount of energy consumed to warm your property, enhancing its energy efficiency.
• Less system stress – by effectively giving your system more space to breathe, you save it from having to work quite as hard, reducing long-term stress on internal components and helping it last longer, minimising your maintenance costs.
• Reduced heating bills – making your heat pump system more efficient comes with the added bonus of reduced energy bills that could help you recoup the cost of your new radiators over time.

In many cases, it’s fairly easy to argue that the benefits of upgrading your radiators far outweigh the drawbacks. It’ll make your system more efficient and help you capitalise on the best that air source heat pumps have to offer. 

Should Radiators Be Replaced Before or After Heat Pump Installation?  

In many cases, it’s best to replace your radiators before the heat pump installation takes place. However, it’s not always necessary, and can sometimes be left until afterwards.

Reasons to upgrade your radiators before the heat pump installation:

• Comfort – because air source heat pump radiator temperatures are lower, delaying your radiator upgrade until after your installation could leave you with a gap where your property isn’t being heated as well or as quickly as normal, meaning it could get a little chilly!
• Efficiency – without the radiators needed to dissipate heat properly, your heat pump will have to use more energy in the meantime, making it less efficient until your new radiators are installed.
• Cost – by having both your heat pump and radiators installed in quick succession, you may be able to save on fitting costs by bundling all the services together with the same provider.

When it might be fine to leave your radiator upgrade until after the heat pump installation:

• If your existing radiators are big or conductive enough to be effective
• If your heat pump is a high temperature model

You can learn more about the heat pump installation process in our guide. 

What About Underfloor Heating? 

An attractive alternative to upgrading your radiators is to install underfloor heating, negating the need for radiators at all and vastly increasing the surface area of your heating system. Air source heat pumps can easily be integrated with water-based underfloor heating.

This has the added benefits of making your floors far more comfortable in the winter and raising the value of your property, as underfloor heating is a desirable feature for buyers. It’s also quieter and very low maintenance.

The drawbacks, however, are that underfloor heating is more intrusive to install than radiators, involving more extensive renovations, and is also more costly. 

Conclusion: Do Radiators Need Changing With Heat Pump Installation?

So, for those asking ‘Do I need new radiators with a heat pump?’, the answer is probably yes. In most cases, it’s advisable to upgrade your radiators before you install an air source heat pump to help get the most out of your new system.

Air source heat pump radiator temperatures are lower than gas boilers and need to be able to disperse their heat faster and more easily in order to work efficiently. This doesn’t necessarily mean bigger radiators, as aluminium or fan-operated radiators can help dissipate heat more efficiently without the need for increased size.

There are some exceptions to this rule, including if your existing radiators are large or conductive enough to work efficiently with your new system. Your installer should be able to advise on whether or not you need new radiators with your heat pump. 

Air Source Heat Pumps With Rollings Renewables 

Since 2002, Rollings Renewables has specialised in the installation of renewable energy technologies, including air source heat pumps and solar panels. We supply advanced heat pumps from some of the industry’s leading brands as well as outstanding customer service and a six-year workmanship guarantee.

To learn more or get a free quote, call us on 01905 621777, email us at sales@rollingsrenewables.co.uk or fill out our contact form.