The Most Efficient Air Source Heat Pumps

Our Guide To The Most Efficient Heat Pumps In Summary

We shortlisted 8 of the most popular units to determine which is the most energy efficient air source heat pump available in the UK. Using MCS product data, we determined that the Ideal Logic Air was the winner.

MCS product data shows the Ideal Logic Air has a 3.96 SCOP rating, the lowest in the list was 3.22. Whilst the Logic Air would produce 3.96kWh of heat for every 1kWh of electricity used, the lowest on this list would only produce 3.22kWh. 

The Logic Air isn’t just the most efficient air source heat pump, it’s one of the best overall. It comes with a long warranty (7-years when fitted by Dwellow), is incredibly quiet (52dB-55dB when operating) and can be used in conjunction with both radiators and underfloor heating.

Ready to get a fixed price on-screen for your pump? Use our heat pump tool here, which will calculate exactly which size Logic Air you need for your property.

The 8 Most Efficient Air Source Heat Pumps

We shortlisted 8 top rated air source heat pumps for comparison.

Of course efficiency was our main concern, but we also focused on brand reputation, after sales care, warranty, noise levels and more. After all, there’s little point having an efficient heat pump if it’s ridiculously loud, and comes with little in terms of manufacturer’s warranty. 

All things considered, the 8 most efficient air source heat pumps are:

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Next, we’ll give a quick summary of the Ideal Air Logic, which is the most efficient heat pump based on test results. Then, there’s a detailed guide to exact testing scenarios, and efficiency ratings for each of the pumps on the list above.

Prefer to dive right in and get a price for your new heat pump? Our easy-to-use heat pump tool here will take into account details regarding your property, and suggest the most suitable, efficient and most cost effective unit for your property.

The Most Efficient Air Source Heat Pump: Ideal Logic Air

The Ideal Logic Air is Ideal Heating's answer to an ever competitive heat pump market, and our pick (based on data from MCS) for the highest efficiency heat pump. 

High Efficiency

It uses complex smart controls that compensate for ever changing weather conditions, so it doesn't use energy that's going to go to waste. And thanks to this, you'll get an A+++ rating for central heating at 35°C, and an extremely impressive A++ at 55°C.

Those things combined with a SCOP rating of up to 5.19 (figure based on Ideal's test results), means that this is the most efficient air source heat pump on this list. It’s also listed as one of the best heat pumps here. 

Low Operating Noise Levels

But efficiency isn't all that's on offer here. The Ideal Logic Air gets Quiet Mark approval, a certification given to all types of household appliances that operate below average noise levels. 

Heat pumps can be noisy, but the Logic Air operates at 52dB-55dB, meaning it's one of the quieter heat pumps on the market. 

Long Warranty

We can’t stress the importance of warranty enough. The longer the warranty, the more insurance you have against expensive heat pump repairs. 

Whilst the Ideal Logic Air comes with a base manufacturer’s warranty of 2-years, this is extended to 7-years (inclusive of a 12-months workmanship warranty) when you use a Dwellow installer here. 

Hybrid Heating Setup

The Ideal Logic Air is incredibly easy to install. It works with radiators and it works with underfloor heating. In fact, if you’re looking for a hybrid heating setup using radiators in conjunction with underfloor heating, it’s the perfect heat pump for that too!

A Comparison of The 8 Most Efficient Heat Pumps

Heat Pump SCOP Rating

What is SCOP?

When it comes to the efficiency of air source heat pumps, the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) is one of the most important stats to consider. SCOP measures the efficiency of your heat pump over a period of one year (all four seasons).

This isn’t to be confused with Coefficient of Performance (COP). COP measures efficiency at a single point in time, rather than in varied temperatures and over a duration of months. 

Naturally, this means that a COP rating is a less accurate representation of a heat pump’s efficiency in comparison to SCOP.

Both COP and SCOP ratings are based on heat output for every 1kWh of energy used. So, a COP/SCOP rating of 3, suggests a unit uses 1kWh of electricity and manages to produce 3kWh of heat; it’s 300% efficient.

How Do Manufacturers Calculate SCOP?

As you can imagine, each manufacturer has their own methods when it comes to testing for SCOP. What that means is there isn’t consistency in test results and one unit might look more efficient than another, but it actually isn’t.

For that reason we’ve taken results from the MCS product directory here, to provide some level of consistency. 

MCS used a consistent testing environment to create an overall SCOP rating, which includes: 

‍Mild Climate: Around 10°C

Average Climate: Around 7°C

Cold Climate: Around 2°C

Air Source Heat Pump SCOP Ratings (MCS Data)

From our list of the most efficient heat pumps we can see the Ideal Logic Air easily wins, with a SCOP rating of 3.96. 

This means that the overall efficiency rating of the Ideal Logic Air throughout the duration of the test was 396%; it produced 3.96kWh of heat for every 1kWh of electricity that it used.

‍Check out our clickable tool here. Use it to get your fixed price on reliable and efficient heat pumps within a couple of minutes. 

Heat Pump Efficiency FAQ

Got more questions about the efficiency levels of top rated heat pumps? Read our FAQ below, drop us a message here, or simply get your heat pump quote here. 

Are Heat Pumps Really 300% Efficient?

Most heat pumps have a SCOP rating of 3 or higher. For every 1kWh of electricity they use, they produce 3kWh or more of energy, meaning they are 300% efficient. 

Which is The Most Efficient Air Source Heat Pump?

Based on MCS product data, the Ideal Logic Air is the most efficient air source heat pump. It has a SCOP rating of 3.96, meaning it’s 396% efficient. That said, this is only an article on SCOP ratings. There are many other factors to consider when selecting a heat pump.

How Efficient Are Heat Pumps Compared To Gas Boilers?

Heat pumps on our list are 322%-396% efficient. In comparison, a new gas boiler is usually 88%-94% efficient. 

Are High Efficiency Heat Pumps Worth It?

High efficiency heat pumps are worth investing in over low efficiency ones. Installation costs for the two are the same, and the additional cost to get extra efficiency will save you money in the long-term. 

At What Flow Temperature Are Air Source Heat Pumps Most Efficient?

According to the Energy Saving Trust, the most efficient flow temperature for air source heat pumps is 35°C-45°C. Maximum flow temperature for many air source heat pumps is 70°C.

Does Efficiency Drop In Winter For Heat Pumps?

Heat pump efficiency does drop in winter, but they’ll still be able to operate. A quality heat pump will still work at reasonable efficiency levels even in temperatures down as low as -25°C.

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