Exactly what is a monobloc heat pump? With so many types of heat pumps available (and more being developed all the time), it can be hard to understand which models offer what and make a decision on the products that are best suited to your project. 

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When you are researching heat pumps you will very quickly learn that there are a number of different types and versions. Initially you'll probably come across ground source and air source heat pumps and, as you dig deeper, you'll realise that there are different types of air source heat pumps as well. 

Not only are there versions that deliver heat to air (often referred to as air conditioning) but also those that deliver heat to water, as commonly used in our homes to deliver heat to the central heating system and hot water cylinder. Then we dig deeper and find different types of air to water heat pumps.

Monobloc heat pumps are one of the air to water heat pump options to choose from. And in this handy guide, renewables and ventilation installer David Hilton explains what monobloc heat pumps are and what they can offer homeowners.

What is a monobloc heat pump?

So, how do heat pumps work? Monobloc heat pumps have all the refrigerant components housed in the outdoor case. The refrigerant pipes are all factory assembled and factory sealed. This is often referred to as 'hermitically sealed'. 

There are two different types of monobloc heat pump: one with the pump, expansion and control components all built into the outside case, and the other with the pump, expansion and controls components fitted in the home.

The first type has the advantage that for a very simple installation less space is taken up inside the home, but that means that there is more wiring that needs to be installed to the outside unit and you are also limited by the pumps and sensors in that unit. 

The pipework on all monobloc units is, however, outside of the heated envelope of the home so in many cases the heat pump will protect itself by ensuring there is a minimum amount of heat in the water, even if the home does not require any heat.

(Image credit: Aircal)

Are monobloc heat pumps a good option in the UK?

With monobloc heat pumps, the only connections to the outside unit are the electrical wiring and two water pipes meaning that this setup is very well suited to the UK climate, which is generally wet, rather than cold. 

In colder climates, such as those experienced in mainland Europe, a split system (see explanation of what this is below) is often better due to the refrigerant not freezing up in cold weather. If a monobloc is plumbed in a cold area there is a risk that the water in the pipes could freeze and damage the system, unless the water is either treated with anti-freeze (Glycol) or antifreeze valves are fitted to protect the heat pump. 

There are two main types of glycol: Ethylene Glycol (which is poisonous) and propylene glycol, which is the most commonly used of the two. Glycol protects the water from freezing and a mix of around 25% glycol in the water will offer protection against freezing down to around -10C. However, when glycol is added to water the solution is less able to hold heat and the 25% mix in the water will lower the heat carrying capacity by around 10%. It is crucial therefore to make sure that you have larger pipework plumbed in the central heating system or it may not be able to deliver enough heat. Anti-freeze valves overcome this issue but they release water when it gets really cold. 

This is not really an issue as most heat pumps maintain a minimum of around 20C in the water at all times. It is in times of a power failure and ambient temperatures outside of around 3C, or less, that the valves would release water. The installer should be able to show you how to top up the water if this does happen.

How are monobloc heat pumps different to split heat pumps?

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Split systems are made up of two parts. Half the heat pump is outside the building and half is inside, with refrigerant pipes connecting them together. These can be more useful in colder climates or where the outside fan unit needs to be further away from the building.  A monobloc heat pump does not need a refrigeration engineer to install it so the whole installation can be done by a plumber and electrician. This makes the installation simpler and therefore a bit less expensive than split heat pumps. 

Monobloc heat pumps can also be less expensive than split heat pumps. Due to all the heat pump components being in the heat pump housing outside of the home there is less space required inside the home too.

(Image credit: The Heat Pump Warehouse)

What are the disadvantages of monobloc heat pumps?

While there are many advantages to monobloc heat pumps, it is important to understand their limitations and downsides in order to be able to make an informed decision. 

The main disadvantage to be aware of is the way in which they can, in certain cases, use energy unnecessarily. 

In a highly efficient home, such as those built to Passive House standards, it may be the case that the heat pump uses additional energy to keep itself warm when the home does not need it. In these cases special design considerations, such as glycol or split systems, need to be adopted to optimise the efficiency.

Split Vs Monobloc Heat Pumps &#; What&#;s The Difference?

Air to water heat pumps provide an eco-friendly solution to heating our homes. Air to water heat pumps work by transforming energy in the outside air into usable heat, helping to reduce heating bills by up to 60% and cutting CO2 emissions by 50%. You can read more about this innovative heating method in our previous article on how does an air to water heat pump work. 

There are two main types of heat pump that you&#;re likely to have heard of before. These are &#;split heat pumps&#; and &#;monobloc heat pumps&#;. There&#;s often a lot of confusion as to what exactly the difference is between these two heat pumps. That&#;s why we&#;ve put together the following short and simple guide, detailing the main differences between the two, and which is the best option for your home. 

What is a monobloc heat pump?

A monobloc heat pump is a single unit heat pump that&#;s located outside of the home. It consists of a singular outdoor unit in which the compressor, heat exchanger and water side of the refrigeration cycle is contained. 

What is a split heat pump?

As you might guess from the name, a split heat pump, unlike a monobloc heat pump, uses more than one unit. A condenser collects heat from the air and sends the heated gas to an indoor unit that is located inside the home. This is where the hot gas that&#;s been transported in, is used to heat the water. The indoor unit also houses your hot water cylinder. 

So, what&#;s the difference?

The main difference between split vs monobloc heat pumps is the setup and units required. Whilst a monobloc heat pump only requires a singular outdoor unit, a split pump requires both an indoor and outdoor unit. A monobloc heat pump heats the water outside, whereas with a split system, the heated water is all contained inside the house. 

Which is better for my home?

When it comes to choosing between a split vs monobloc heat pump, it really depends on the individual requirements of your property. Monobloc heat pumps are cheaper to buy and easier to install, however they will be more expensive to run as the heat pump has to work harder to heat the water from the outside and transport it in. As a split unit is contained within the building it is cheaper to run, and the outdoor unit is usually smaller and quieter. However, the system is usually more complicated to install. 

So ultimately, deciding between a split vs monobloc heat pump depends on your budget and the space and layout of your property. Our knowledgeable team at Pipelife are always happy to help advise you on the best option for your home. 

Split & Monobloc heat pumps at Pipelife Eco 

We offer both split and monobloc heat pumps to cater for individual homeowner requirements. These are:

Hitachi Yutaki-S Split Combi Heat Pump

The Yutaki S heat pump consists of an exterior inverter unit that is connected to an interior hydraulic unit. When in heating mode, the exterior unit absorbs heat from the outside (at temperatures as low as -20 °C), and transfers it to the water cycle via the interior hydraulic unit.

What&#;s particularly special about this air to water heat pump is that it also has a cooling mode for use during the summer. Working in the opposite way, it can draw heat outwards towards the exterior. Highly effective in producing hot/ cold water to supply radiators, fan coil units, underfloor heating or a combination of these, the Yutaki S heat pump is a versatile option. When connected to a tank, it can also be used to produce domestic hot water.

Midea M Thermal Mono-Bloc Heat Pump

An integrated system that provides heating and cooling as well as domestic hot water, the M Thermal heat pump is a year-round solution that can replace the need for traditional gas/ oil boilers or work alongside them. A compact, single unit is installed on the outside of the property and the heat pump is connected to the indoor heating system using two insulated pipes and the electronic connection cables under the ground.

Available in single-phase capacities of 4KW to 16KW, or three-phase capacities of 12KW to 30KW, the M Thermal heat pump is a fuss-free, not to mention an efficient, solution for heating your home.

For more information on any of our air to water heat pumps, or to request a quote, please don&#;t hesitate to get in touch with us.