Question 1

What material is heating pipework made from?

John Klee · Accepted Answer

There are several different materials used in the construction of the many types of heating pipework.

Amongst them are non-metallic and metallic options like copper, fibreglass, aluminium, concrete and wood. Plastic pipework is suitable for some installations as well, but usually heating pipework is made of brass, due to its rust and corrosion resistance; which makes it great for bot residential and commercial heating systems alike.

Discover more about the ins and outs of heating pipes in our Ultimate Guide To Heating Pipework.

Question 2

What does heating pipework do?

John Klee · Accepted Answer

The primary function of heating pipework is to transport fluid – typically water – to heating components such as domestic radiators or heated towel rails.

Usually, modern residential homes will feature two-pipe feed and return pipework arrangements. In contrast, large commercial properties might favour single pipe loop systems to supply a multitude of convector radiators, for example.

To find out more, explore our Ultimate Guide To Heating Pipework.

Question 3

What types of heating pipework systems are there?

John Klee · Accepted Answer

There are three main types of heating pipework systems – single pipe loop, feed and return, and microbore pipework arrangements.

The most commonly used system for domestic purposes is the two-pipe feed and return operation, delivering hot water to residential radiators or other heating devices such as heated towel rails.

For large commercial properties, single pipe loop arrangements are frequently used, given this type of system can theoretically supply an endless amount of heating components. Perfect for providing hot water to several convector radiators, for example.

Microbore pipework setups feature multiple smaller pipes, and as they carry less water across each pipe run, they perform efficiently in wasting less across each pipe run. However, they can prove more susceptible to wear given the smaller surface area of the pipes.

For a more detailed insight into each available type, take a look at our Ultimate Guide To Heating Pipework.

Question 4

What is the most popular type of heating pipework?

John Klee · Accepted Answer

For domestic purposes, two-pipe feed and return loop pipework is the most popular type of arrangement to supply hot water to home radiators or alternative heating devices like heated towel rails.

In large commercial settings, single pipe loop systems are the contrasting common choice, incorporating an extremely large loop pipe. These single loop systems can deliver hot water to an unlimited number of heating components in theory, so is perfect for a large-scale business property with multiple convector radiators, for instance.

If you would like a more detailed insight into all sorts of heating pipework configurations, explore our Ultimate Guide To Heating Pipework.

Question 5

What is heating pipework?

John Klee · Accepted Answer

Heating pipework incorporates an arrangement of pipes used to transport liquid – mainly water – to heating devices such as home radiators or heated towel rails.

There are several designs of heating pipework, with modern homes tending to favour a two-pipe feed and return loop system to supply their heating components with hot water.

The pipes themselves are constructed from a range of materials, each boasting their own specific benefits. There’s plastic pipework as well as copper, concrete, aluminium, fibreglass and wood. Discover more in our Ultimate Guide To Plastic Pipework.

Question 6

What RHI payments can I claim for an air source heat pump?

John Klee · Accepted Answer

At the current rate, you can receive RHI payments at a rate of 10.85p per kW of energy used with relation to air source heat pumps up until March 2022.

For added context, air source heat pumps tend to provide around 3.4kW of heat for every 1kW of energy used, indicating how efficiently they perform.

From April 2022 and beyond, the government is set to replace the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme with up-front subsidies of £5,000 for households in the UK and Wales.

Learn more about all things air source heat pumps in our Ultimate Guide To Air Source Heat Pumps, or view more air source heat pump advice from the Energy Saving Trust.

Question 7

Can I claim Renewable Heat Incentive payments for an air source heat pump?

John Klee · Accepted Answer

You can claim Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments if you have a working air source heat pump installed up until March 2022. Currently, the RHI payment rate is around 10.85p per kW of energy used in relation to the operation of air source heat pumps.

From April and beyond however, the RHI scheme was replaced by a new air source heat pump government grant. Homeowners in the UK and Wales have since been entitled to claim £5,000 from the outset (since upped to £7,500 in October 2023), when choosing to replace a traditional gas boiler with an air source heat pump.

Find out more about all things air source heat pumps in our Ultimate Guide To Air Source Heat Pumps, or gain extra air source insight from the Energy Saving Trust.

Question 8

Do air source heat pumps need electricity to run?

John Klee · Accepted Answer

Yes, air source heat pumps need electricity to run.

However, they generate a greater level of heat than the amount of electrical energy they consume, and are powered by solar and wind energy. Therefore, they are much more energy efficient in performance than other electrical home heating options.

Find out more about air source heat pumps and the way they operate in our Ultimate Guide To Air Source Heat Pumps, and gain further air source energy insights from the Energy Saving Trust.

Question 9

What is an air source heat pump?

John Klee · Accepted Answer

Air source heat pumps are an economically friendly renewable heating solution, which work by transferring heat from outside to inside a building, or vice versa.

Essentially, air source heat pumps operate much like a refrigerator in reverse, condensing and compressing heat in one space to release to another.

In domestic properties, an air source heat pump will absorb heat from the air outside, and release it into the home via domestic radiators, hot water or hot air, or underfloor heating.

Find out more in our Ultimate Guide to Air Source Heat Pumps, or garner more air source energy insights from the Energy Saving Trust.

Question 10

Can air source heat pumps work with radiators?

John Klee · Accepted Answer

Put simply, yes, air source heat pumps can work with home radiators.

The radiators will need to be appropriately sized in accordance with the flow temperatures your heat pump will be set to.

Your air source heat pump will perform more efficiently the lower this point is set at, and be less expensive to run as a result.

Find out everything you need to know about air source heat pumps in our Ultimate Guide to Air Source Heat Pumps or pay a visit to our guide to discover how well your existing radiators will work with a heat pump. Alternatively, you can view air source heat pump advice from the Energy Saving Trust.

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What material is heating pipework made from?

What does heating pipework do?

What types of heating pipework systems are there?

What is the most popular type of heating pipework?

What is heating pipework?

What RHI payments can I claim for an air source heat pump?

Can I claim Renewable Heat Incentive payments for an air source heat pump?

Do air source heat pumps need electricity to run?

What is an air source heat pump?

Can air source heat pumps work with radiators?

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