Do you know what a heat pump is? If not, you’re not alone. A survey by Nesta found that around half (49%) of those who moved into a house with a heat pump had little or no knowledge of what it was.
Why are so many of us in the dark about these CO₂-saving, energy-bill-slashing home-heating systems? Well, gas boilers have dominated the UK market since they exploded onto the scene in the 1950s. But like much of the tech from that era, they’re outdated and could soon be phased out if the UK government sticks to its plan to end gas boiler installations in the next decade.
With something so unfamiliar, it’s easy to assume heat pumps are a new invention, popping up alongside smartphones and electric cars. However, the first heat pump was actually invented in 1856 and have been the norm in Scandinavia for over 30 years.
Indeed, myths about heat pumps swirl like a winter breeze. So, let’s bust some of them.
What is a heat pump?
First, the basics. A heat pump is an energy-efficient system that uses electricity to transfer heat from one location to another. The most common type is an air-to-water heat pump, which extracts heat from the air and transfers it to your home’s hot water system.
Unlike a gas-guzzling boiler, a heat pump doesn’t burn fossil fuels, making it a cleaner and cheaper way to heat your home. In fact, when paired with a green energy tariff, a heat pump can cut your home’s heating CO₂ emissions to zero.
Heat pumps won’t keep my home warm in winter
Now that’s out of the way, let’s bust the first heat pump myth. It’s common across the UK to hear, “my neighbour’s friend said…” or “I read somewhere that heat pumps don’t work in the winter.” Well, heat pumps are designed to handle extreme temperatures. Like -25°C extreme.
Don’t believe it? Just look at Sweden, Norway or Finland, where heat pumps keep millions of homes warm through bitter winters. If a heat pump isn’t keeping a home warm, it’s usually due to poor installation or wrong sizing, not the technology itself.
Heat pumps won’t work in my home
Yes, heat pumps are different from boilers, and many UK homes were built with gas systems in mind. But that doesn’t mean heat pumps won’t work in most UK households.
In fact, millions of homes across the country are already heat pump ready. Those that aren’t typically just need a simple upgrade, like larger radiators.
Heat pumps are noisy
This is perhaps the most common misconception about heat pumps. In reality, they aren’t noisy at all – unless you think your fridge is loud. Most heat pumps run at around 40-60 decibels, which is about the same as a standard fridge.
Heat pumps are expensive to run
Heat pumps are designed to be around four times more efficient than a standard gas boiler. And more efficiency means lower running costs. For example, the Aira Heat Pump, paired with the Aira Zero tariff, can save you up to £560 a year on energy costs compared to a gas boiler.
If a heat pump is more expensive to run than a boiler, it’s usually due to poor installation or improper use.
Heat pumps are expensive
Heat pumps are usually more expensive to install than a boiler. But, with the energy savings over the product’s lifetime, you’ll save money in the long run. Think of them as an investment that pays off. They’ll shrink your energy costs and CO₂ emissions, and they’ll increase your home’s value by up to £8,000, according to a report published by Scottish Power and the WWF.
And, the UK government wants you to switch. They’re offering a £7,500 grant under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to help you swap your old boiler for a heat pump. An MCS-certified installer can even apply for the grant on your behalf, which means you get £7,500 off your bill without lifting a finger.
Aira
Aira is a leading clean energy-tech company dedicated to making clean energy accessible for every UK household.
How? With Aira’s all-inclusive approach, they make switching from a boiler to a heat pump completely hassle-free. From a free home energy assessment and installation to flexible payment options and a 15-year guarantee. It’s simple. It’s affordable. And everything’s under one roof.
