And if you’re looking for a dependable manufacturer of air source heat pumps, considering Nibe is definitely a good idea – the company’s Nordic environment and the surrounding fluctuating climate have definitely left an imprint on their engineering; they’re better at adapting than most.
Who better to turn to for temperature control inside your home than an engineering culture that’s endured some of the coldest days and nights known to man? Of course, not every Scandinavian company is worth your time simply because of their geographics – so let’s take a look at Nibe air source heat pumps, explain how the technology works, and see whether they’re a great solution for your home!
Why opt for air-source heat pumps?
As you probably know already, a large part of the carbon dioxide found in our atmosphere comes from the use of fossil fuels as an energy source. And a large chunk of that use is for hot water and heating installations. Naturally, if we’re going to stop doing long-term damage to the environment, those fuel sources will have to be replaced with something more sustainable.
That’s precisely what Nibe’s air source heat pumps are. The manufacturer has over 7 decades of experience in the manufacturing of temperature control solutions – making them well-equipped to stand on the front lines of the residential heat pump revolution that we’re currently in the midst of.
Of course, while we’d all love to help the environment – if we’re being realistic, most of us also need a personal incentive to make such a significant change in our households and invest in a different heating and cooling system to the ones most of us have used for decades.
Luckily, there’s more than one benefit to using air-source heat pumps. Besides the lower carbon footprint you get with this kind of home temperature control system, you also get a more cost-efficient one that uses far less energy and results in much smaller power bills.
So, with just one change, you’re doing something great for both yourself and the environment! While air source heat pumps do use some electricity, the amount of power required for their daily operation is relatively low – remember, electricity isn’t their primary power source.
These pumps only use electricity to run themselves – while all of the heat and hot water necessary for your home is extracted from the outside air. Essentially, this means you can reduce your energy costs by up to 75% with any Nibe air source heat pump model. This is a welcome boon in a world of constantly rising energy prices.
Plus, Nibe is already a staple of the UK market – so you won’t have trouble finding certified installers who will finish the installations quickly and professionally.
Nibe Air Source Heat Pumps: The S Series
The S Series lies at the heart of Nibe’s air-source heat pump offering – so let’s take a look at its most prominent models.
Before that, though, it’s worth pointing out that these S-series air-source heat pumps from Nibe are highly adaptable – their model variety guarantees you’ll find something suitable for your needs, your household, and most importantly, your budget.
Also, all of them were designed with smart technology at their core – which is why they’re extremely easy to use. They get frequent software updates which are downloaded and installed automatically – plus, the pumps can adjust the indoor temperature based on your habits and other factors, such as the local weather forecast.
Another thing that the S series has going for it is extreme ease of use – if you don’t want the temperature to be set automatically, you can control your hot water, heating, and ventilation settings easily through Nibe’s myUplink smartphone app.
This app also sends push notifications if there’s any unpredictable pump behavior or malfunction, so you can react quickly. You’ll also receive info about any pending software updates via the app.
There’s also a Premium version of the app with a small monthly subscription – it allows you to remotely adjust your heat pump settings from the application, regardless of your current location. You’ll also get the option of integrating the pump with popular smart services – like IFTTT and voice control, and you’ll have access to more detailed historical data.
So, with all of these nifty general features in mind – let’s go into more detail about the individual models!
NIBE S2125
The first model we’ll take a look at is an inverter-controlled, intelligent air-ource pump. And when coupled with an indoor Nibe module, the S2125 will provide a tightly controlled and efficient temperature system for your household. And seeing as the S2125 adapts to the output requirements of your house automatically, it’ll provide additional savings throughout the year.
The S2125 also provides high-performance water heating and low operating costs – all thanks to its seasonal-optimised performance. In regular temperature conditions, it has a 75°C supply temperature. However, that doesn’t reduce by a lot even with a drastic drop in outdoor temperature. For instance, at -25°C, its supply temperature still goes up to a more-than-decent 65°C.
Also, regardless of whether you choose the 12 or the 8 power size – its noise levels remain acceptably low. The pump also comes with all the smart features that all S-series models have in common – automatic indoor climate adjustments and tablet or phone control.
NIBE VVM S320
Now, it’s important to note that the S320 isn’t a separate air-source heat pump; rather, it’s an indoor module designed to be used with any outdoor Nibe air-source heat pump. The VVM S320 is a powerful, all-in-one indoor unit with a user-friendly, smart control system.
On top of that, this unit has all the functions you need for an efficient, well-controlled indoor climate: such as a circulating self-regulating pump and water heater. Plus, the S320 has all the equipment needed for regular installation – an expansion vessel, various safety valves, pressure gauges, and a filling loop.
The control modules provide you with a flexible solution which you can quickly customise according to your needs. All of the system components and accessories you’ll use depend on the specifics of your home setup.
NIBE F2040
Now, the Nibe F2040 isn’t technically a part of the S-series. Instead, it’s the flagship of the F-series – the slightly older and less smart-enabled older brother of the S-series, from the same manufacturer.
Still, if you’re looking for a more affordable solution, you definitely shouldn’t knock the Nibe F2040. It’s a well-designed, inverter-controlled, and compact air-source heat pump. And seeing as the F-series also has certain automation features, this model will also adjust its output based on your home’s varying requirements throughout the year.
The F2040 functions well at lower outdoor temperatures, though its range is slightly smaller than that of the S2125 – for instance, it was designed for a maximum supply line temperature of 58°C and it works in outdoor temperatures as low as -20°C. And if high outdoor temperatures are your issue – as they will increasingly be in the next couple of decades – the F2040 also comes with an effective cooling function, which comfortable maintains your desired indoor climate.
NIBE SMO S40
Next up, there’s the Nibe SMO S40 control module – giving you the most optimized way to control your indoor climate system. It’s meant to be used with any of the S-series air-source heat pumps.
The SMO S40 provides plenty of flexibility in terms of system solutions – you can connect this control model to a bunch of components, such as additional heat sources, water heaters, and other custom accessories. Also, a single SMO S40 can be connected to a maximum of eight air source heat pumps.
NIBE Air-Source Heat Pumps: Are They Worth It?
At the end of the day, no matter how much you want to save the planet and help the environment – it all comes down to cost. So, what kind of expenses are you looking at if you want to install an air-source heat pump?
On average, the costs for this kind of home upgrade range between £5,000 and £12,000; this includes both the purchase price for your unit and its installation. If you’ve also been looking at ground-source heat pumps, you may have noticed that this is a significantly cheaper option; mostly because you won’t have to do any ground drilling during the installation phase.
Still, even with that comparison in mind, this is no small investment. The upfront costs do look somewhat daunting. However, when it comes to any kind of residential upgrade related to renewable energy, you have to remember one important fact: you’re looking at the long game here.
Just like with solar panels, you’re paying a lot upfront to get huge returns over the course of decades. However, there are some ways to make this an easier financial pill to swallow. The UK government offers payment assistance through plans like the Renewable Heat Incentive which can cut down the initial investment by quite a lot.
Also, bear in mind that this kind of upgrade to your home’s heating and cooling system will only provide the desired returns if your insulation isn’t faulty – so make sure you’ve fixed it up before thinking of buying an air-source heat pump, or it just won’t achieve the advertised energy efficiency in practice. And, as always, use certified installers who have already worked with Nibe pumps if you opt for one of their models.
