The conception of the air source heat pump was a result of the invention of air conditioning units. It was Willis Carrier, a mechanical engineering graduate, who initially came up with the first drawings for an air conditioning unit in 1902. In 1914, Willis Carrier lost his job due to cutbacks at the start of World War I. It was then that Carrier and seven other mechanical engineers created their own company, Carrier Engineering Corporation.

Air conditioning units used a ‘refrigeration cycle’ to produce cooler air and thus dehumidify and cool the environment. Air source pumps adopt a similar process in reverse, thus emitting heat instead of cooler air into the environment.

These pumps are more commonly used in more temperate climates where temperatures are more consistent, although there have been recent developments, as in 2007 an inventor from Oklahoma developed an air-to-air heap pump de-icing system, allowing their use in colder climates.

Now there are many companies that produce these heating machines, such as the Mitsubishi Ecodan heat pump. Heat pumps also come in numerous sizes and power variations, meaning there are now models to suit various sizes of homes or even corporate use.

In recent years, due to the depletion of natural resources, many people are looking for more environmentally friendly home heating solutions. There are many options available in the market, but in European countries the air source pump has been preferred. Adapted to most climates, air source heat pump systems are now installed outside the residence and can provide up to 40% savings on energy bills, a 50% reduction in footprint carbon and greater energy efficiency.

Although relatively new to the UK market, there is huge adoption in Europe, with 300,000 units sold in Germany and France in 2008 alone. With the large environmental and monetary benefits, air source heat pumps are predicted to become more widely used across the UK. For more information on the Mitsubishi Ecodan air source heat system, please visit the Green Air Central Heating website for more information.