Is now a good time to get a heat pump?

Wondering if you should get a heat pump but not sure where to find the right information?

Our energy experts think there has never been a better time to invest in this tried and tested low carbon heating system.

Here are their answers to the most common questions we hear about heat pumps.

Not sure where to start? We’re cutting through the hot air by debunking the myths around heat pumps. Visit our heat pump hub to find out more.

Can a heat pump save me money on my energy bills?

• Yes, especially if you’re replacing an older, G-rated gas boiler for a well-designed heat pump.
• Topping up your home’s wall, floor and loft insulation before installing a heat pump will help reduce its running costs.
• If you already have solar panels, you can save more by using the free energy they generate to power your heat pump.
  A solar battery can increase your savings even further by storing the sun’s energy to power your heat pump later in the day.

Do I need a lot of space for a heat pump?

• Air source heat pumps need less outdoor space than two wheelie bins stood side-by-side (around 1.5 metres wide).
• Heat pumps don’t provide instant hot water like a combi boiler. So you’ll also need space for something that can store hot water.
• Hot water cylinders are one option. These cylinders can usually fit inside any cupboard that measures around 80x80cm.

• The government is considering ‘re-balancing’ electricity and gas prices, aiming to make heat pumps cheaper to operate than gas boilers in the future.
• Remember: not everyone who installs a heat pump will see savings straight away. This is because electricity is currently more expensive than gas. So, if you’re replacing a much newer, more efficient gas boiler for a heat pump, your energy bills aren’t likely to go down just yet.

Can I get money towards a heat pump?

• Yes – there’s more financial support for heat pumps than ever before.
• If you live in England and Wales you can get a £7,500 grant towards installing a heat pump with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
• If you live in Scotland, grants of between £7,500 and £9,000 are also available.
• If you live in Northern Ireland, there isn’t a specific grant currently available. But you can still ‘get heat pump ready’ and apply for funding for insulation via NI Energy Advice.
• Energy companies are doing more to make heat pumps more affordable. For example, some suppliers are offering specific electricity tariffs designed to minimise heat pump running costs.
• We recommend researching all these deals if you’re considering installing a heat pump.

Will a heat pump really lower my carbon footprint?

• According to a Climate Change Committee (CCC) report, buildings account for around 17% of the UK’s emissions. Most of this comes from using fossil fuel heating systems in our homes.
• A 2017 report from the CCC revealed that most residential buildings in Britain (23 million) are connected to the gas grid, using a traditional boiler. Around half a million homes in Northern Ireland rely on oil for heating.
• In all cases, replacing an existing fossil fuel heating system with a heat pump will save carbon emissions. How much you will save will depend on the size of your home and the type of heating system you’re replacing.
• A semi-detached home with an old, G-rated gas boiler would save around 2,900kg of CO₂ emissions a year by switching to an air source heat pump. That’s the same as flying from Cardiff to Vancouver and back.

How much maintenance do heat pumps need?

• They’re about as much work to maintain as a gas boiler.
• We recommend an annual service for heat pumps. This will help you identify any potential issues, and is often a condition of your heat pump warranty.
• A heat pump service could include:
  • cleaning coils
  • cleaning fan blades
  • inspecting filters
  • checking refrigerant level and pressure
  • checking that all electrical connections are safe
• Your installer will leave details about how often you should get your heat pump serviced.

Does a heat pump provide hot water?

• A standard heat pump doesn’t provide hot water on demand like a combi boiler, so you’ll need a way of storing hot water.
• Usually this is through a hot water cylinder. The size of hot water cylinder required depends on the amount of hot water that your household typically uses.
•  If you don’t have space for a hot water cylinder, you still have options. Some hybrid heat pumps are designed so that the heat pump provides heating, while other options include a heat battery or an instantaneous water heater.

Should I get a heat pump?

• We’ve got lots of independent, expert information on heat pumps to help you switch to low carbon heating.
• Read our heat pumps advice to discover which heat pump is right for you, how much they cost and how much money or carbon you might save.
• Find out what it’s like to have a heat pump by reading stories from homeowners who’ve already made the move.