A heat pump is a device that transfers thermal energy between spaces, usually between an enclosed space and the outdoors. Such pumps are being promoted as solutions towards energy saving initiatives by many governments, such as the UK, to help reduce the cost of more environmentally-friendly heating systems. In Britain, according to the consumer group Which?, gas boilers and other carbon-intensive heating systems will be gradually phased out to help the UK reach its Net Zero target by 2050.
Myles Robinson from Boiler Central explains the pros and cons of heat pumps: “The value of heat pumps does not come in financial form, but, rather, in terms of predictability and eco-friendliness.”
Adding further clarification, Robinson says: “As you may be able to tell from their name, these pumps source their energy to heat a home from either the ground or the air. Compared to air source ones, ground source heat pumps provide more renewable heating, capable of drawing more heat for less effort and require little-to-no electricity to run.”
A further advantage is: “They are also far less dependent on the weather, compared to air source heat pumps which struggle to draw warmth from cooler air temperatures, just when you need the heating the most”
Yet the technology will not work for everyone, as Robinson explains: “Unfortunately, not every home is suitable for heat pump installation. If you live in a flat above ground level, for example, you obviously have nowhere to dig a hole for the ground source heat pump, nor is it worth bothering to get planning permission for an air source heat pump that will last you less than a boiler.”
Another downside is: The costs of installing a ground source heat pump can rise to an ‘eye-watering’ £35,000 ($50,000). Air source heat pumps are much cheaper to install, averaging to around £7,000 ($10,000), but they are entirely dependent on the outside weather, meaning you still need to use your boiler on the colder days.”
Heat pumps work for some, however: “If your home and pockets are fit for installing a heat pump, especially a ground source one, it really is absolutely fantastic for the environment”, Robinson explains. “Heat pumps also offer some certainty amid the massively fluctuating gas prices and the related energy prices over the years, decreasing one’s dependence on such a volatile market, particularly now.”
Consumers need to weigh up the costs and benefits, notes Robinson: “Considering the extortionate installation costs, the government’s BUS programme seems to only be feasible for high-income households. The current crisis certainly affects everybody, but more so those who could never afford such high upfront costs, even with the government grants taken into account.”
There are alternatives as well, the heating expert says: “The good news is that upgrading one’s boiler does not have to be limited to switching to heat pumps. If your budget can stretch a little further now and you already have A-rated appliances and a hydrogen-ready combi boiler, you could also add solar panels into the mix to save later. With the weather we have here in the UK, you cannot rely on them entirely, but a good 40% to 70% of your hot water could be sourced from your solar panels.”
This approach might suit many homeowners more, reckons Robinson: “A hybrid system with solar thermal panels may be an even better option. Costing between £3,000 to 6,000 to install, solar thermal panels are a space-saving version of regular solar panels and can be up to 70% more efficient than regular solar panels.”
