Heat pumps: information and grants

According to leading industry experts, despite air source heat pumps being environmentally friendly, there are still many myths surrounding them that might be holding people back from making the switch. We've listed the most common myths below and hopefully you'll find the answers of interest.

Air source heat pumps are noisy

When properly installed and maintained, heat pumps operate quietly, with sound levels similar to a gas boiler or fridge. Manufacturers are continually improving the technology, making them quieter and more efficient. The latest models have sound levels lower than those of even just five years ago.

Heat pumps are expensive

The higher upfront costs are offset by the government's boiler upgrade scheme grant of £7500, with running costs lowered through special heat pump energy tariffs. Properly installed heat pumps are usually around four times more efficient than a gas boiler and can be slightly cheaper to run at the current energy prices.

Heat pumps don't work in winter

Heat pumps do work during the colder months! They're designed to handle all types of weather, even the cold. Two thirds of Scandinavian properties have a heat pump and in Norway approximately 90 percent of them are air source heat pumps. As the outside temperatures drop, the heat pump efficiency will gradually reduce but they're still more efficient than a gas boiler and will maintain the temperature of your house even when temperatures are as low as minus 20 degrees Celcius.

Heat pumps work perfectly well with larger size radiators or an underfloor heating system. But if you don't want to change your radiators, you could opt to install a high temperature heat pump which is designed for older and/or smaller radiators as they use higher water temperatures.

An expert installer should design a heating system that will keep your rooms at your preferred temperature and comfort level. The surface temperature of your radiators may feel cooler than you're used to but don't worry your rooms will feel just as warm.

Air source heat pumps require planning permission

Air source heat pumps typically fall under permitted development rights so in most cases, homeowners can install them without planning permission, provided they meet the microgeneration certification scheme planning standards (MCS). However, if you live in a listed building or a conservation area, we recommend speaking to your local planning office.

Whether a heat pump can heat water depends on the type of heat pump you install. An air source heat pump also known as an 'air-to-water heat pump' can heat water. However, unlike a combi boiler, an air source heat pump doesn't supply hot water on demand. You'll need a way of storing hot water for when you need it, like a hot water cylinder. The heat pump works by transferring heat from the outside air to the water in the cylinder.

A heat pump won't work with microbore pipes

Not true! Heat pumps can work perfectly well with existing microbore pipes feeding radiators. However, there may need to be some additional equipment installed, such as a buffer vessel to ensure the heat pump has adequate flow rates and water volume in the heating system. Your installer should design the system to compensate for these smaller pipes accordingly.

Air-to-air heat pumps do! They work by taking heat from the outside air and using a fan system to distribute it indoors. Some air-to-water units can also provide cooling but additional equipment may need to be installed. If you need a pump to heat and cool, check with your chosen manufacturer or installer to find the right model.

In the UK, gas boilers are the most popular choice for home heating. However, they burn fossil fuel and produce a lot of carbon dioxide (CO2) at the point of use whereas heat pumps produce no CO2 so consequently are much better for the environment. Gas boilers are also much less efficient than heat pumps. They produce only up to 90 percent of heat per kilowatt of gas energy used whereas heat pumps can produce around 400 percent of heat per kilowatt of electrical energy used. The lastest high temperature heat pumps can also produce water temperatures up to 75 degrees Celcius if required.