Navbar logo

 Heat Pumps

The heating system of choice for future generations

CONTACT FORM
FAQ
CONTACT FORM
FAQ

The obvious advantages

Your wallet

savings

because heat pumps are much more efficient than oil- or gas-fired boilers

The climate

reducing emissions

because you can power your heat pump with renewable energy

Your comfort

You'll sleep better

being in complete control of your state-of-the-art heating system

Your property

Being up-to-date

real estate with a modern and efficient heating system is worth more

The technical side of it

Environmentally friendly

How does it work ?

Are they mandatory ?

What with renovations ?

Air / Water heat pumps

Air / Air heat pumps

Ground source heat pumps

Hybrid systems

CONTACT US FOR MORE

A cleaner alternative

Most properties are still heated by traditional oil- or gas-fired boilers. Combustion of fossil fuels releases CO2, fine dust and other unwanted components; on top of that, our fossil fuel reserve is by no means infinite, and traditonal boilers -the older models even more so- aren't always very efficient. Heating your home with a heat pump powered by renewable energy offers better efficiency. It's a great alternative, not just for new construction projects but in many cases also in the renovation of existing properties.

How does it work ?

It's basically an inverted fridge -so it's simple, as long as you know how a fridge works. We'll try to briefly explain heat pumps, anyway... The heat pump's circuit is filled with a cooling liquid which draws heat from the environment (outdoor unit). Cooling liquids will boil and evaporate even at very low temperatures. The vapor created by the boiling liquid is compressed (by a compressor, of course) until it reaches a higher temperature than the air or water it's supposed to heat. The vapor is then routed through a condenser (indoor unit), where it releases its energy into your heating system. Finally, a pressure reducing valve will lower the pressure which causes the vapor to cool down and condense into a liquid again -a liquid that will draw heat from the environment, which brings us back to the start of the cycle.

Heat pumps are unavoidable

As climate plans are developed and prices for fossil fuels become increasingly erratic, the energy transition gains momentum. Governments are driving towards renewable energy, and heat pumps are part of those efforts. In Belgium, heat pumps (or hybrid systems as a minimum) are mandatory for newly constructed homes from 2023 onward. New homes won't even get a connection to the gas grid; oil or gas boilers are being discontinued, and the manufacturers are no longer investing in the development of fossil fuel equipment. Heat pumps will therefore soon be the only viable alternative.

Heat pumps in renovations

Heat pumps are very efficient when installed in a modern and well-insulated home equipped with underfloor heating and converctors; the water temperature is kept relatively low while maximum heating comfort is still offered. Air/water heat pumps that can match the water temperatures of gas- or oil-fired boilers do exist, and these can theoretically replace a traditional boiler in any existing home... but there's a catch. Higher water temperatures make the compressor work harder, which in turn results in lower overall efficiency and a higher electricity bill. This type of heat pump is more expensive to install, and correctly dimensioning the system becomes something of a balancing act. In a poorly insulated property with only some "old school" radiators installed, we would recommend the owner to invest in proper insulation before doing anything else. Existing homes with decent insulation and underfloor heating and/or radiators or convectors can usually profit from installing a heat pump.

Hybrid systems can often be a solution.

Air / Water heat pumps

We mostly install air/water heat pumps, which are a type of air source heat pumps and the most obvious solution for most residential applications. Low-temperature air/water heat pumps draw energy from the outside air and transport this energy to your heating system. These heat pumps are the ideal solution for new buildings and are usually installed together with underfloor heating and convectors. High-temperature air/water heat pumps work on exactly the same principle as the low-temperature models, but the higher water temperature makes them more suitable for renovations (i.e. replacing the existing boiler).

Suitable for new construction as well as renovations

Top brands like Daikin, Viessmann, Vaillant etc.

Air / Air heat pumps

Another type of air source heat pump, Air/air systems draw energy from the outside air but use it to heat up air rather than water; the heated air is then channeled into your home. During the summer this process can be reversed, and the system works much like an air conditioner. An air/air heat pump consists of an outdoor unit connected to one or more indoor units.

These heat pumps don't provide hot water as standard; if hot water is required, they have to be combined with a heat pump boiler with a capacity of 200-260 liter, which would be ideal for a 4 to 5-person family.

Air/air heat pumps can be combined with multiple indoor units; you'll need a separate indoor unit for each room you want to heat and/or cool.

Water / Water heat pumps

Ground source (geothermal) heat pumps draw their energy from the ground through a horizontal or vertical piping grid, or by drilling into deeper water layers.

These systems have a very high efficiency, but the extensive excavation works or deep drilling makes them less suitable for most residential applications.

They're significantly more expensive than air source heat pumps

Hybrid systems

These are comparable to hybrid cars; a hybrid heat pump system will combine a heat pump with a high-efficiency gas fired boiler. Hybrid systems are equipped with a smart control system that will select the most efficient (or clean, depending on your settings) energy source at any given time. The heat pump will typically cover most of your needs, and the gas-fired boiler will switch on whenever it's necessary to cater for a hot water peak demand -for instance, on very cold days. Or when everyone wants to take a shower at the same time, of course.

Hybrid systems can offer a solution in renovation projects

How long does it take ?

We can install most residential heat pumps systems in one or two days, but of course it all depends on the size of the installation and the actual situation at your home. We'll give you an assessment together with our quotation.

We'll take care of everything, so you won't have to.

A road map to your new heat pump system

1

Contact us

After you complete our online form we'll contact you for an appointment -either online, by phone or through e-mail, depending on the circumstances. Based on this we will give you a rough estimate, so you can decide whether or not to continue with us.

2

Site survey

Because each heat pump installation is a custom job, we'll absolutely have to perform a site survey. After this survey, we'll be able to give you a detailed offer.

3

Planning

If you take us up on our proposal we'll discuss all practical details, make our planning and purchase the required equipment for the job. Together with you we will set the dates for the installation works at your home.

4

Installatie

The heat pump and its accessories are installed, and in case of a renovation the old boiler is removed and disposed of. Everything is finished neatly and tested for leaks.

5

Connection

With everything installed and tested, we'll connect the heat pump to your electrical system, neatly hiding the cables where necessary. In case of a split unit, the circuit is filled with cooling liquid and tested for leaks.

6

Commissioning

Your new system is inspected and commissioned, and of course subjected to a functional test. You will receive documentation and a handover report, and start enjoying your new heating system to the fullest.

Cheaper isn't necessarily better...

We aim to give our customers a fair price, but we insist on working with high-quality equipment from renown manufacturers only.

Slider image

DAIKIN is one of the major players in the heat pump market, offering an extensive range for residential, commercial and industrial applications. As a heat pump pioneer they have 50+ years of experience, and their products excel in quality and reliability. They have been manufacturing heat pumps running on renewable energy for decades, and remain on the forefront of technological developments.

Client avatar

Heat pumps"made in Belgium"

DAIKIN manufacturing plant in Ostend

Not convinced ?

If you're considering the installation of a heat pump but still aren't fully convinced because of some myths about heat pumps, then please check our FAQ section  -it may put your mind at ease.

Suitable for my home ?

Again, not EVERY home will be a prime candidate for a heat pump, unless you're willing to accept a lower efficiency. Contact us to have alook at your particular case; we won't beat around the bush, and let you know if it's not the best idea.

Frequently Asked Questions

... but we can't cover everything, so please contact us if you have more questions.

Does it work in cold weather ?

Arrow icon

Absolutely. Air source heat pums will work at temperatures as low as -27 degrees C, which we're not likely to see. Lots of heat pumps are operational in countries with colder climates than ours.

Why are they so expensive ?

Arrow icon

Are they, really? The equipment itself may be somewhat more expensive, but they consume significantly less energy. A high-efficiency gas fired boiler, if you get a really good and expensive one, will have an efficiency of up to 110%. Heat pumps are easily at 300 to 400%, meaning you'll get 3-4 kW of heating for each kW of electricity. Not bad at all, right?

But they're so terribly noisy...

Arrow icon

No, they're not. The indoor unit makes no noise at all, and the sound pressure level of the outdoor unit is at a par with that of a simple ventilator.

...but I also need hot water for my shower !

Arrow icon

No problem at all. The heat pump is equipped with a buffer vessel to meet your instantaneous hot water demands, just like most traditional boilers.

What about maintenance ?

Arrow icon

We recommend to have your heat pump looked at once per year  -just like a traditional boiler.

What happens when there's no power ?

Arrow icon

Without electrical power you'll have no heating, regardless of whether you have a heat pump or traditional boiler.

Are they in any way dangerous ?

Arrow icon

Nope -they're extremely safe. Zero risk for gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning !

Het antwoord op mijn vraag zit er niet tussen...

Arrow icon

Stel uw vraag via e-mail, en we zorgen voor een antwoord !

Are heat pumps expensive to operate ?

Arrow icon

That would depend on a number of factors -the correct dimensioning of the system, for a start. And of course the price of the electricity. If your home is well-insulated and equipped with solar PV panels, a heat pump is extremely cheap to run !

Which brand should I choose ?

Arrow icon

There's no need to choose. We only install top-quality products, and we'll offer you the heat pump with the best fit in terms of comfort, budget and delivery time. But of course you can select a certain brand if you like... after all, you're the customer.

Do I have to insulate my home ?

Arrow icon

Possibly. Heat pumps make the most sense in a well-insulated home; you can install a larger heat pump to compensate for poor insulation, but it will show on your electricity bill. We will look at the insulation requirements for each case separately when making our offer.

What are the space requirements ?

Arrow icon

Depends on the type and size of your heat pump. For a typical air source heat pump you're looking at an indoor unit the size of a standard fridge, and an outdoor unit like a decent size mover's box.

What's the useful service life ?

Arrow icon

A heat pump will last for 15-20 years, if maintained correctly. Doesn't sound like much? Gas- or Oil-fired boilers usually "last" much longer, because everyone seems to forget that their efficiency drops dramatically over time. People keep running old & tired boilers forever, and end up paying a small fortune in energy bills.

Does it work with my standard radiators ?

Arrow icon

Many installers will tell you it does. We prefer to say "yes, sometimes" -but there's a big but. Certainly, we can sell you an oversized high-temperature heat pump that will replace your boiler... and it will cost you dearly. In truth, if your radiators are oversized -as they often are- we'll have something to play with and can probably offer you a solution that will benefit you financially. But if your old heating system is only just doing the job, replacing the boiler with a heat pump won't save you any money.

Can I use my system for cooling ?

Arrow icon

Cooling is an option, since the process can be reversed to extract heat from your home and dump it outdoors. It only really works well with air/air heat pumps though; typical air/water systems do still offer a few possibilities, depending on the whether you're using underfloor heating, radiators, convectors or a combination thereof. We'll have to look at the options for each case separately.

Our other products

Solar panels

solar panels

EV Chargers

EV chargers

Home battery

home battery