AOS Blog
At home with a heat pump: 'It makes hot water when it's freezing outside'
On Tuesday 17th August 2021 AOS were featured in an article which appeared online in the Guardian newspaper. John and Carol Deed, Thriplow, Cambs "We had an air source heat pump fitted in January 2020 and it has proven to be a really good decision," says John Deed, a former marketing executive in the car industry. Deed and his wife Carol began considering home heating options for their detached four-bedroom 1970s house when it became clear their 25-year-old oil…
How An Air Source Heat Pump Works?
Using an air source heat pump to heat your home is more eco-friendly, more energy efficient, and can be highly cost-effective. Essentially, when using an air source heat pump, you…
My boiler is leaking, what do I do?
When your boiler is leaking, you need to get it fixed as soon as you can. If there is damage to your boiler, it could be causing a number of problems. Finding and fixing the problem is a must. to ensure your boiler is efficient and functioning safely. There could be several causes for a leaking boiler, but the most important thing is to take immediate steps to try and resolve the problem. Prevent Leaking You shouldn't try fix your boiler yourself, but you can do some things to address the problem. Start by turning off your water supply so that no more water is able to leak. Switch your heating too if you haven't done so…
How hard water can affect my heating system?
Soft water has a low content of calcium carbonate, magnesium, and other minerals. Hard water contains a high amount of these substances. The large majority of homes in England have a hard water system. It's fine to…
What are Heat Pumps?
An air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from its inside. the system extracts heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as -15° C. Heat pumps require electricity to run, but the heat they extract from the air is constantly being renewed naturally. Heat pumps come with multiple advantages for your home. Pumping the heat uses less electricity as compared to when electricity is solely used to convert it. During the summers, the cycle can be reversed and the unit acts like an air conditioner. Heat pumps are rising in popularity in the UK, and the government recently started to implement a number of new…
The difference between hard and soft water
We all use the terms "hard" and "soft" to describe the water that comes out of our taps, but the…
What to Do If Your Water Pipes Freeze
The ideal approach to dealing with freezing pipes is to anticipate the issue when winter approaches. However, when the unthinkable occurs, you will need to act quickly to limit the extent of damages and reduce the cost of fixing. Although it's safer to refer to a professional, you can keep these tips in mind to thaw your frozen water pipes and avoid extensive damage. Here is what to do. 1. The first step is to keep your tap open to allow the melting water to pass. When you begin the thawing process, the water and steam generated…
Why your home might not stay as warm as it used to
If your home no longer stays as warm as it used to, then things can get pretty uncomfortable pretty fast. And that’s before you even consider that this could be the prelude to a total boiler breakdown! Where lost heat is concerned, you obviously want to think about external factors first. After all, gaps, single-glazed windows and faulty draught excluders are all some of the worst culprits for lost heat. If you’re sure these issues aren’t to blame, though, you’ll want to look a little closer to your central heating itself by considering potential…
How to save money on your gas bill
If you're trying to cut costs at home, then your gas bill is a good place to start. The gas bill is often one of the highest home costs, but there are some things you can do to lower your gas bill, without having to make big or expensive changes to your home. 1. Turn down the thermostat. Dropping the temperature by only one degree can save energy and money, without feeling any difference. 2. Don't dry clothes on your radiators. Covering the radiators lowers the amount of heat that the radiator can release, meaning the boiler has to run for longer to get the room to the same temperature, using more fuel. 3. Use a hot water bottle at night. It's…
Green Homes Grant
If you're a homeowner or residential landlord who's looking to reduce your energy use (and consequently energy costs), you should consider applying for a Green Homes Grant Voucher through the Green Homes Grant Scheme. Put simply, this is a government funded scheme that will contribute towards the costs of installing energy efficient improvements…
Mitsubishi Electric Case Study
Nigel Furr from Buckinghamshire has become the latest homeowner to move his property away from oil-based heating to a renewable air source heat pump Undertaking a property wide conversion, taking his two-bed bungalow to a four-bed chalet bungalow, Nigel decided to make the move to a renewable heating solution after the positive feedback he had received from other local homeowners who had already made the transition from oil to a heat pump. "After talking to our neighbours, many of whom had been using oil previously, we researched air source heat pumps as a solution that was better for the environment and would also help us cut our energy costs."…
