Air Source Heat Pumps — Controls & Integration
Wilsons' Role on ASHP Systems
Wilsons installs the electrical controls on air source heat pump systems — not the heat pump itself. On ASHP projects, Wilsons works alongside MCS-accredited heat pump engineers (Global Energy Caernarfon for our typical North Wales projects).
Wilsons' scope:
- Heatmiser neoStat zone thermostats for each heating zone
- neoHub installation and configuration for app control
- UH8-RF wireless wiring centre where the system includes underfloor heating zones
- Wiring from the neoStat or wiring centre back to the heat pump's demand input terminals
Not Wilsons' scope:
- The ASHP unit, refrigerant circuit, or flow/return pipework
- Buffer tanks or pressurisation units
- Any F-Gas or MCS-certified work
How ASHPs Differ From Gas Boilers
Understanding the differences matters for control set-up:
| Feature | Gas Boiler | Air Source Heat Pump |
|---|---|---|
| Flow temperature | 70–80°C | 35–55°C (lower = more efficient) |
| Best paired with | Radiators or UFH | UFH — large surface area at low flow temp |
| On/off cycling | Frequent — responds to thermostat demand | Prefers to run continuously at low output |
| Serviced by | Gas Safe registered engineer | MCS-accredited heat pump engineer (F-Gas) |
Because ASHPs prefer to run continuously rather than cycle on and off, keep setback temperatures modest on the neoStat (e.g. 18°C setback rather than 15°C) to avoid sharp recovery cycling.
Heatmiser Integration — Demand Wiring
On ASHP systems, Heatmiser connects to the heat pump's demand contacts in the same way it connects to a boiler's demand terminals:
- The neoStat or UH8-RF provides a volt-free (or switched live) contact output
- This connects to the ASHP's room thermostat or zone demand input terminals
- When a zone calls for heat, the neoStat closes the contact — the ASHP responds
Refer to the specific ASHP model's installation manual for demand input terminal labels. On Global Energy Caernarfon systems, confirm with the heat pump engineer which terminals to use before wiring.
neoHub for App Access
The Heatmiser neoHub provides:
- The Heatmiser Neo app (iOS and Android) — customers view and adjust zone temperatures remotely
- Zone scheduling and holiday mode
- Control4 integration — if the property has Control4, the neoHub driver makes all Heatmiser zones controllable from Control4 touchscreens and the app
neoHub setup:
- Connect neoHub to the customer's router via ethernet cable
- Open the Heatmiser Neo app → Add Hub → scan the QR code on the underside of the hub
- Hub discovers all paired neoStats automatically
- Configure zone names, schedules, and temperature limits in the app
- Share the hub with the customer — Settings → Share Hub → Invite User
Typical ASHP Project — Wilsons Workflow
- Pre-install: Confirm demand input terminal labels with the Global Energy Caernarfon engineer
- Install neoStats in each zone — wire back to the heat pump demand inputs (and pump relay if applicable)
- Install neoHub — ethernet to router, QR code add via Heatmiser Neo app
- Commission: Set zone names and schedules; test each zone — confirm the ASHP responds to each zone call
- Handover: Walk the customer through the Heatmiser Neo app — remote control, scheduling, holiday mode
Safe Working
- ASHP electrical supplies are typically high-current — do not work on the ASHP main supply; this is the heat pump engineer's scope
- Wilsons' scope is the low-voltage or 230V control wiring to demand inputs and the 230V supply to neoStats (via fused spur)
- Always confirm the heat pump engineer has commissioned the system before final Heatmiser wiring and testing