Heat pumps are likely to play a key part in heating future new-build homes but there is a lot to understand and consider when fitting them to older properties. This post might not answer every question you might have, and doesn’t really touch upon ground source heat pumps, which are likely to have less of a role in cities, but it should help set you up with the basics – and we’re here to help after that!
Main things you need to know about heat pumps
- Heat pumps…
- transfer energy from outside and use it to heat your home
- use exactly the same technology as fridges and air conditioners – they all just move heat somewhere
- are a tried and tested technology, having been used effectively in colder climates than ours (e.g. Sweden), since the 1970s
- work in temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius
- require a hot water tank to store your hot water
- can sometimes require bigger radiators and pipework
- work in most types of home, except where insulation levels are very low
- that are designed, installed and setup carefully, are cheaper to run than gas or oil boilers
- have incredibly low running costs when combined with batteries
- require installers that know what they’re doing (a lot of the negative online comments are due to poor installations).
What to consider when thinking about installing a heat pump
- Have you done the most important insulation upgrades (see our Insulation post for help on this)?
- Do you have space for a hot water tank?
- What grant and/or loan funding is available to you? (Scotland, England)
- Thinking of getting one in the future? Contact us for ideas about what you can do in the meantime to prepare
- Are you worried about things you’ve read or heard? Book a free enquiry call today for an honest appraisal