Heat Pumps – will they work for me?

Why heat pumps?

Gas and oil boilers are being phased out, because the fossil fuels they burn account for about a fifth of our household carbon footprint.  Heat pumps are much more efficient (3 or more times as efficient as gas boilers) and the electricity they use is increasingly provided by renewable sources like wind and solar. That’s why the government is subsidising heat pump installation.

How do heat pumps work?

A heat pump works like an air conditioner or fridge, but in reverse – it cools the outside air (or ground) and transfers that heat to inside your home. Usually, that heat is used to heat water, which then runs through the central heating pipes, or is used for washing etc. However air-to-air heat pumps also exist, which blow warm air into your home. Many of the latter can run in either direction ie heating or cooling your home as required.

Grants

The Government is incentivising households to switch, by offering grants under the Boiler Upgrade scheme: £7500 towards the cost of a heat pump system replacing a fossil fuel heating system.  Other grants also exist especially for households with low income or poor health.  Check the   .gov.uk website for eligibility and updates.

Running Costs

Heat pumps are 3-4 times as efficient as conventional electric or gas heaters, which means that even at present prices, their running costs should be no more than for gas central heating. You can reduce your running costs  if you have solar PV, and/or batteries which can exploit cheaper off-peak electricity; and by making sure the settings are optimised, e.g. adjust to outside temperature automatically.

Will it work for me?

Heat pumps are suitable for most homes in the UK. They work best when supplying heat at a steady rate, and costs are lowest when radiator temperatures are reasonably low. For this reason, the useful Government heat pump page says: “Like any heating system, they are cheaper to operate in energy efficient homes, making insulation and draught-proofing an important consideration for installation. “

We often hear concerns about heat pumps, based on reports of installations that haven’t worked out well. No doubt there are badly specified or plain bad installations out there. But sources agree there’s also misinformation.  So, try this myth-busting fact-checker.

And of course – you don’t hear so much about the happy owners.  So read on!….

Find out how it’s working in real homes

Read about how a real-life installation in Kinver has worked out for the owners.  Connect with other local heat pump owners via Visit a Heat Pump with Nesta –several homeowners in this area are willing to answer your questions.  Or explore a wide range of  case studies on heat pumps for different types of homes .

What changes will the installation involve?

Most systems have a relatively large hot-water tank, to even out power demand. And there needs to be room for the heat pump outdoors. Air-to-air systems will of course need a separate heater for the hot water supply.

Standard size pipes are often fine for heat pump systems, but Microbore (10mm or less) pipework may need to be replaced to cope with higher flow rates. Some radiators may need to be replaced by more efficient models, which can often be fitted within the same ‘footprint’.  A High Temperature Heat Pump or a Hybrid Heat Pump system may avoid or reduce the need to replace radiators or increase insulation levels.

How can I find an installer?

You should choose a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) installer if you plan to apply for government funding, such as through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The MCS website lists certified installers.

And we are keen to know about local people’s experience of heat pumps, so if you have a story to tell please get in touch.