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Energy at home

Heat pumps

Heat pumps are an energy efficient, low carbon way to heat your home. They’re suitable for almost all types of home and, depending on what heating system you’re replacing, could save you money on your energy bills.

What is a heat pump?

A heat pump is a heating system that:

  • takes in heat energy from a colder area, usually outside
  • raises the temperature
  • moves the heat into your home

It uses electricity to do this. But it produces much more heat energy than it uses in electrical energy.

This makes it a more energy efficient way to heat your home than a traditional gas or oil boiler. It also produces far fewer carbon emissions than other heating systems.

Are heat pumps right for me?

Read our in-depth heat pump guide to find out:

  • howthey work.
  • how much they usually cost to install and run.
  • what kind of heat pump might be right for you.

 

If you want to know more about the realities of installing and running a heat pump, read our stories:

What kind of heat pump should I get?

There are two types that are most common in the UK:

Which one is better suited to you largely depends on your budget and how much space you have. You can find out what might be for you using the Get a Heat Pump quiz from Nesta.

Air source heat pumps tend to be the most common type installed.

For more information, look at our guides:

What financial support is available for heat pumps?

The support you can get depends on where in the UK you live:

Heat pump myths debunked

We found several heat pump ‘myths’ that were holding people back from adopting the technology.

I’m thinking about getting a heat pump. Where do I go next?

The best thing to do is to find out what heat pump system is right for you and speak to an installer for more tailored advice. The services available depend on where you live:

 

I already have a heat pump. What else can I do to get low carbon energy?

Here’s some advice on how to maximise your heat pump’s efficiency and other ways you can benefit from low carbon energy:

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Last updated: 11 October 2024