Can air source heat pumps be combined with solar panels?
Solar panels and air source heat pumps on their own can lower your energy bills and reduce your impact on the environment, but what happens if you put them together?
The two systems can work hand in hand to reduce your reliance on the National Grid. Here’s how you can achieve a warmer, greener home with a complete renewable energy system.
How solar panels help power your home
Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity you can use to power your lights, appliances, and even your car charger if you’ve got one. On bright days, they often generate more electricity than you can use at the time.
Normally, that spare power gets exported back to the grid. But when you have an air source heat pump, that electricity can instead go towards heating your home and water.
It’s a myth that solar panels don’t generate much power in winter. While shorter days and weaker sunlight mean they produce less overall, they actually perform really efficiently in cooler weather. So even on cold, sunny or cloudy days, you’ll be able to heat your home.
What does an air source heat pump do?
An air source heat pump takes warmth from the outside air and converts it into heat for your radiators, underfloor heating or hot water. Even when it’s freezing outside, there’s still heat in the air – and the pump is designed to extract it.
For every unit of electricity it uses, it can produce two, three or even four units of heat energy. That’s why it’s much more efficient than a gas boiler.
Running your heat pump using the electricity from your solar panels means less reliance on the grid and much lower bills. You’re effectively heating your home for free whenever there is daylight.
Do solar panels and heat pumps work well all year?
In summer, you’ll have more solar energy than you need. In winter, when you need heating the most, solar generation drops. But the two still balance each other out over the course of the year.
A heat pump is far more efficient than a traditional boiler, so even if you’re pulling some electricity from the grid during colder months, it’s still using that energy in a smarter way. And once you get into spring and autumn, you’ll often find your solar panels are generating plenty to cover most of your heating needs.
If you really want to get the best from both systems year-round, adding a solar battery makes a big difference.
How much could you save?
Savings vary from home to home, it depends on your insulation, how much energy you use, and what you’re switching from.
If you’ve got an old, inefficient gas boiler, moving to a heat pump can already save you hundreds each year. The Energy Saving Trust estimates a typical three-bed semi-detached house could save around £260 a year compared to an old gas system.
Then, when you add solar panels, the savings grow again because you’re generating much of your own electricity.
Switching from gas heating to an air source heat pump powered by solar can reduce your emissions by around two tonnes of CO₂ a year. That’s a huge environmental win, and it’s one reason the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers up to £7,500 towards the cost of a heat pump.
Getting the right size system
When it comes to solar panels and heat pumps, size really matters. Go too small, and you won’t cover every room in your home. Go too big, and you’re paying for capacity you won’t use.
For most homes in the UK, solar panels generating between 3 kW and 6 kW is a good starting point, depending on your roof size and layout. For the air source heat pump, it depends on your home’s heat loss – basically, how much warmth escapes through your walls, windows and roof.
We always carry out a detailed heat loss calculation and solar assessment before installation. It means your system is perfectly matched to your home, your habits, and your budget.
Why adding a solar battery completes the setup
If you really want to take control of your home’s energy, a solar battery is the missing piece.
Without one, you’ll often end up exporting energy to the grid during the day and then buying it back in the evening when you need it most. With a battery, you can store that spare energy from your solar panels and use it later – for heating, cooking, or charging your car overnight.
Is it worth it?
In most cases, yes! Combining solar panels with an air source heat pump (and ideally a battery too) is one of the best long-term energy decisions you can make.
You’ll be cutting your carbon footprint, reducing your bills, and protecting yourself against future price rises. And because you’re using clean, renewable energy from your own roof, it’s a big step towards energy independence.
We make the process of switching to renewable energy simple. From the first chat and home survey to helping you apply for grants and getting your system up and running, we handle everything from start to finish.
If you’d like to know how solar and an air source heat pump could work for your home, get in touch with our experts. Call us today on 0800 802 1116 or email sales@eerenewables.co.uk.
