What do you need to know before getting a heat pump?
Heating buildings is a major source of carbon emissions in the UK – and technologies like heat pumps can help us break away from burning fossil fuels. Installing a heat pump will help make your home greener; especially when combined with our new heat pump tariff. But there’s a lot to think about before getting one. Here are a few pointers to help you with your research.
Is a heat pump right for my house?
Heat pumps work by extracting solar heat energy from the air or the ground. They produce heat at a lower level compared to a typical gas central heating system.
To get the best out of your heat pump, it’s essential to make sure your home is well insulated. This could include having loft insulation and cavity or solid wall insulation as well. This will also help keep running costs down.
Because of the lower level of heat generated, some people combine a heat pump with underfloor heating, which uses less intense heat to warm up a larger area. But they can also be suitable for homes with more traditional radiators.
What financial support is available?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Set up by the UK government and launching on 1 April 2022, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will support the uptake of heat pumps, by providing:
- £5,000 grant towards the cost of an air source heat pump
- £6,000 grant towards the cost of a ground source heat pump
The grants are only available for households in England and Wales.
The scheme will provide a total of £450 million in grants, which will be offered on a first come, first served basis. This means that only around 90,000 homes will be able to benefit – so if you’re interested, it may be best to apply sooner rather than later.
Register your interest with a heat pump installer, who will apply for the grant on your behalf
Renewable Heat Incentive
Once you’ve installed a heat pump, you’ll also be able to register to receive the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). This provides you with quarterly payments over 7 years, and helps repay the cost of installing renewable heat technology. It’s worth noting that if you’ve also used the Green Homes Grant scheme, the value of your grant will be deducted from your total RHI payment.
You can only apply for the RHI once your heating system has been commissioned and you’ve received an MCS certificate and a domestic Energy Performance Certificate. You also need to register for the RHI within 12 months of your commissioning date.
The scheme is set to close to new applicants on 31 March 2022, so make sure you get your application in before then.
Find out more about the Renewable Heat Incentive.
What type of heat pump would be best?
There are two main types of heat pump: air source (ASHP) or ground source (GSHP). Here are a few basic comparisons between the two:
- Efficiency – ASHPs are most efficient when the outside air temperature isn’t too cold. They work very efficiently in temperatures around 7ºC, but can still function at temperatures as low as -20ºC. Generally, the lower the air temperature, the more energy your pump will use to transfer heat.
GSHPs draw heat from underground. As the temperature of the ground averages around º10C year-round, GSHPs can have a more consistent efficiency level.
- Ease of installation – Both types of heat pump need professional installation. ASHPs are quicker and easier to fit and can be installed on a wider range of properties.
GSHPs work by laying pipes underground. Horizontal systems need an average of 300-700m2 for the piping. Vertical systems are laid by drilling a borehole up to 150m deep, which can depend on the composition of the ground beneath your property.
- Installation cost – ASHP installation starts at around £8,000, whereas GSHP installation can be upwards of £16,000 due to the groundwork needed. However, you may also be eligible for higher Renewable Heat Incentive payments, which will help offset the cost.
With ASHPs, you also have a choice between air to water and air to air heat pumps. Air to water heat pumps can be used for both space heating and hot water.
Air to air heat pumps are one of the cheapest heat pumps available. They generate hot air which is then circulated around the house, and can also be reversed to provide air conditioning. This type of heat pump isn’t eligible for Renewable Heat Incentive payments.
Find out more about different types of heat pump.
Can I power my heat pump fully renewably?
Because they draw solar heat energy from the ground or air, heat pumps are considered renewable. But they still need electricity to run. Combining them with solar panels will help your home be even greener and more self-sufficient.
Or you could sign up with a 100% renewable electricity supplier like us. Our new heat pump tariff provides 100% renewable electricity with lower unit rates and no standing charge over the winter months, helping to reduce running costs compared with our standard electricity tariff.
Find out more about our heat pump tariff.
