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DownloadsAir Source Heat Pumps
The Technology
The outside air contains energy, even at low temperatures, which can be harnessed to create free sustainable energy to heat the home.
Designed to operate in the UK climate on new or existing situations, air source heat pumps utilise the free latent energy within the air, to create heat for underfloor heating or low temperature radiators.
This clean and sustainable heating solution provides an ideal solution for properties without a gas supply, or looking to reduce their CO2 emissions.
The Ideal Airtherm has been designed specifically for the UK maritime climate with its relatively high humidity levels and provides a simple and dependable solution; Delivering around 100% of the annual heating and domestic hot water for a wide variety of properties.
Ideal Airtherm heat pumps provide an excellent efficiency performance of up to 400% (dependent on duty).
The normal measure of efficiency is the coefficient of performance (COP) which usually varies between 2 and 4 dependent on external air temperatures, humidity and heating temperatures. The range is particularly suitable for well-insulated properties and those without a mains gas supply.
Heat pumps are recognised by the Government's Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and show significant carbon emissions savings over other forms of space and water heating. With the target to reduce CO2 emissions by 50%, Ideal's Airtherm allows compliance with level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, when used in conjunction with national energy saving methods such as improved thermal insulation.
Even in low ambient temperatures, if frost builds up on the evaporator due to moisture in the air, the unit will automatically defrost itself to maintain operation.
Ideal's Airtherm design provides hot water supply up to 65°C ensuring there is no need for electrical heating backup and delivering complete homeowner comfort and peace of mind.
Designed for external use, Ideal's Airtherm range offers an unobtrusive, simple and cost effective renewable energy solution for new build and retrofit installations alike.
The Ideal Airtherm range is approved under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
Find out...
How does an air source heat pump system work?
The air source heat pump works in the same way that a common fridge does, only in reverse.
The process is as follows:
Step 1 The Evaporator
The evaporator collects heat from the outside air, which has been pre-heated by the sun, the air being drawn into the unit by the fan. Liquid refrigerant (R134a) passing through the evaporator is at a considerably lower temperature than the outside air, causing the air to give up its heat to the refrigerant which is vaporised.
Step 2 The Compressor
The preheated vapour passes to the compressor, where it is compressed and upgraded to a much higher temperature and pressure.
Step 3 The Condenser
The hot vapour created by the compressor now enters the condenser where it is surrounded by water from the heating system, causing the heat to be given up to the cooler water. The cooled refrigerant now returns to its former liquid state, although it remains under high pressure from the compressor.
Step 4 The Expansion Device
The refrigerant is further cooled and pressure reduced by passing the liquid through the expansion device, from where it returns to the evaporator to repeat the cycle.
Monovalent and bivalent applications
Monovalent applications
The heat pump can be sized to provide 100% of the heating requirement on the coldest day of the year, plus 100% of the annual DHW requirement in applications with low temperature space heating requirements.
This makes an air source heat pump ideal for new build properties, or retro fitted into highly insulated existing dwellings.
Airtherm can efficiently provide required volumes of water to service the dwelling's heating and hot water loads. A buffer tank ensures even temperatures and defrost capacity. Defrost cycles are a maximum of 4 minutes per hour and not above 4 ambient.
Bivalent applications
Retro fitting to existing properties whilst retaining an existing boiler as an additional heating capacity needn't be a problem.
The Airtherm heat pump can be sized to provide a variable proportion of the annual heating requirement, for example 80% with the existing boiler integrated to deliver the balance on the coldest days.
This type of system design and application provides the homeowner with an ability to balance the initial capital cost of installation with the benefit of reduced running costs.
Ideal Airtherm features and accessories
Airtherm features and benefits
- All models use a single phase power supply and all control wiring is 230v mains voltage
- Available in three outputs of 4.5, 9 and 12 kWs
- Duel temperature operation for maximum efficiency
- DHW heating temperature control of 65°C (needs no additional immersion heater or boiler back up)
- Space heating temperatures variable from 35-55°C for underfloor heating or radiators
- Twin coil compressors in larger models optimise efficiency
- Reverse cycle defrost: max 4 mins per hour. No defrost above 4°C
- Operational to -15°C
- No flues, gas supply or ventilation required
- Low starting currents
- Simple installation: only requiring water and electrical connections
- Very low sound levels
- Maintenance free
Thermstore
A range of unvented cylinders, buffer tanks and combined buffer and cylinders are available for use with Airtherm heat pumps.
Technical specifications
- Input & Output
- Technical Data
| unit | Airtherm 4.5 | Airtherm 9 | Airtherm 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| @ Air On 0°C, 90%RH* | ||||
| Output To Water (@ 55°C)# | kW | 2.97 | 5.63 | 7.86 |
| Electrical Input | kW | 1.54 | 2.93 | 3.98 |
| Output To Water (@ 35°C)# | kW | 3.39 | 6.56 | 9.11 |
| Electrical Input | kW | 1.11 | 2.17 | 2.93 |
| @ Air On 7°C, 87%RH* | ||||
| Output To Water (@ 35°C)# | kW | 4.4 | 8.4 | 11.7 |
| Electrical Input | kW | 1.18 | 2.27 | 3.13 |
| C.o.P. | kW | 3.72 | 3.70 | 3.70 |
| @ Air On 20°C, 60%RH* | ||||
| Output To Water (@ 55°C)# | kW | 6.1 | 11.44 | 15.92 |
| Electrical Input | kW | 1.78 | 3.35 | 4.54 |
| Output To Water (@ 35°C)# | kW | 6.3 | 11.81 | 16.5 |
| Electrical Input | kW | 1.37 | 2.58 | 3.51 |
| unit | Airtherm 4.5 | Airtherm 9 | Airtherm 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical data | ||||
| Electrical Supply Spec' 1 Phase | V/ph/Hz | 230V / ~1N / 50Hz | 230V / ~1N / 50Hz | 230V / ~1N / 50Hz |
| Minimum Supply Capacity | amps | 13 | 25 | 32 |
| Maximum Supply Fuse 1 Phase N/Type CMCB | amps | 15 | 32 | 40 |
| Soft Start Amps 1 ph N | amps | 19 | 35 | 31 |
| Air data | ||||
| Air Flow (Anem' @ air on grille. Wet evap') | m3/hr | 2700 | 3000 | 4330 |
| Fan External Resistance STD | mm WG | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fan External Resistance "F" | mm WG | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Water data | ||||
| Water Flow ±20% | l/min | 7.5 | 15 | 20 |
| Pressure Drop (Water) | m hd | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Water Connections | inches | 3/4" BSPM | 3/4" BSPM | 1" BSPM |
| Condensate Water Connections | inches | 3/4" Domestic Waste | 3/4" Domestic Waste | 3/4" Domestic Waste |
| Typical Buffer tank sizes | litres | 50 | 100 | 150 |
| General data | ||||
| Sound Pressure Level @ 1m | dB (A) | 57 | 58 | 60 |
| Sound Power (ENV12102) | dB (A) | 68 | 69 | 71 |
| Weight (unpacked) | kg | 150 | 164 | 264 |
How to order Ideal Airtherm air source heat pump
Easy to order Packs. Ideal have taken the headache away from specifying the right Airtherm system thanks to a series of pre-prepared packs designed especially to meet the property size.
Heat Pump and Unvented Cylinder ordering guide
 | Airtherm 4.5 kW (part number 204826) | + |  | Thermstore unvented cylinder 150L (part number 204829) |
| Airtherm 9kW (part number 204827) | Thermstore unvented cylinder 180L (part number 204830) | |||
| Airtherm 12kW (part number 204828) | Thermstore unvented cylinder 200L (part number 204831) |
Heat Pump and Unvented Buffer Tank ordering guide
| Airtherm 4.5 kW (part number 204826) | + |  | Thermstore unvented buffer tank 50L (part number 204832) |
| Airtherm 9kW (part number 204827) | Thermstore unvented buffer tank 90L (part number 204833) | |||
| Airtherm 12kW (part number 204828) | Thermstore unvented buffer tank 150L (part number 204834) |
Heat Pump and Combined Unvented Cylinder and Buffer Tank ordering guide
| Airtherm 4.5 kW (part number 204826) | + |  | Thermstore unvented buffer tank and cylinder 50L/150L (part number 204835) |
| Airtherm 9kW (part number 204827) | Thermstore unvented buffer tank and cylinder 90L/180L (part number 204836) | |||
| Airtherm 12kW (part number 204828) | Thermstore unvented buffer tank and cylinder 150L/200L (part number 204837) |