Would a heat pump work for your home?

Home heating makes up around 14% of the UK's carbon emissions. Heat pumps are a cleaner alternative to gas boilers, and likely to form an integral part of a low-carbon future. But would one work for your home? 

As we gradually transition away from using gas for heating homes, many more of us will be using heat pumps in future. And many are making the switch already. 

But how well a heat pump would heat your home will depend on factors such as the building's size, age, and construction. It might be that you'd need to make other improvements first, before a heat pump would be cost effective. 

Read on to find out what type of home is best suited to a heat pump, what home upgrades you might need to make, and what financial help is available. 

And, if you're not in a position to switch to a heat pump right away, read on to find out what you can do to prepare your home in the meantime. 

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Is a heat pump right for my home?

Heat pumps absorb heat energy from the outside air (or ground or water) and use it to increase the temperature inside your home. By installing a heat pump, you'll be reducing your carbon footprint and switching to a more efficient heating system. 

Below, we're concentrating on hydronic air source heat pumps, which are the most commonly installed type in the UK.  They take heat from the outside air and feed it into your wet central heating system. This type of heat pump can be a direct replacement for your gas or oil boiler. 

Alternatively, find out more about ground source heat pumps.

Heat pumps can work in all types of homes, subject to space requirements both inside and outside. Whether or not a heat pump would work for your home right now depends on a few factors. 

• Insulation: Heat pumps work most effectively in homes that are well insulated. The better-insulated your home, the more efficient the heat pump will be. This is because heat pumps are designed to keep rooms at a steady temperature, rather than to deliver short bursts of heat, like a gas boiler. If your home is uninsulated, you should address this issue first. 
• Radiators: Because they run at a lower flow temperature, heat pumps work best with larger heat emitters - that is, radiators and/or underfloor heating. Before having a heat pump installed, you should get an assessment to see if you'll need bigger or additional radiators.
• Outside space: You'll need space outside for an external condenser unit (roughly 1m x 1m x 2m), plus one metre clearance for air flow. 
• Inside space: Inside, the heat exchanger takes up about the same space as a gas boiler. The closer you can place this to the outside unit, the better. Integrated systems are available, which combine the heat exchanger and hot water cylinder into one unit, which is roughly the size of a fridge-freezer. Otherwise, you'll need a separate hot water cylinder too.
• Planning rules: In most cases, you won't need planning permission; however, there are certain circumstances in which you might need to seek permission from your Local Planning Authority (LPA). This applies if your intended heat pump location is within 1 metre of your property boundary; your heat pump doesn't pass a noise assessment; other fan units, such as another heat pump, already exist at the property; or your property is located within a World Heritage Site or conservation area or is a Listed Building. 

Individual heat pump providers may stipulate additional requirements. For example, Octopus Energy says that for the moment it is focusing on homes with a floor plan smaller than 200m² and built after the 1930s. Solutions for more challenging properties such as flats or very large properties with high heat loss are available from other installers. 

Depending on the age of your property, you may also need an asbestos check before the heat pump installer can begin. 

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Heat pump myths

There are a few common misconceptions about heat pumps. 

"Heat pumps are noisy"

Don't be put off by their noise levels. There are strict rules controlling the maximum noise a heat pump is permitted to generate, which is typically no louder than a fridge freezer or gas boiler. So they shouldn't be a problem for you or your neighbours.

"Heat pumps don't work in very cold weather"

You also don't need to be swayed by the myth that heat pumps don't work when it's freezing. The Energy Saving Trust explains that, although 'the efficiency of an air source heat pump will gradually reduce as the outside air temperature falls [...] they are still capable of extracting heat from the air when temperatures are as low as -15°C'. 

Some of the countries with the most successful heat pump roll outs so far are in Scandinavia and other parts of Northern Europe that regularly experience bitterly cold winters. According to the International Energy Agency, 60% of Norway's buildings are fitted with a heat pump, followed closely by Sweden at 43% and Finland at 41%. The somewhat milder UK currently stands at around 1%.

"Heat pumps are an eyesore"

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - and many would argue that a heat pump is no more ugly than a gas boiler flue or a tank of heating oil.

Most air source heat pumps in the UK are installed against a wall to the rear or at the side of the property, where they are largely out of sight; however, if you're concerned about the aesthetics, you can buy air-permeable covers and screens for external heat pump units to camouflage or improve their appearance. 

"Heat pumps are expensive"

Although it is likely to be more expensive than a replacement gas boiler, a heat pump might be a lot cheaper than you think. 

The government is currently offering a grant to homeowners in England and Wales of £7,500 towards an air source heat pump (the most common type in the UK) or a ground source heat pump.

If you live in Scotland and want to switch to a clean heating system, you can apply for grant funding of up to £7,500, with an additional £7,500 of funding available as an optional interest free loan.

Find out more about the boiler upgrade scheme (BUS) and how installing and running a heat pump could be a lot cheaper than you think.

Already know you want a heat pump? Find a Trusted Trader heat pump installer. 

What can you do to prepare your home for a heat pump in future?

If you're not in a position to get a heat pump yet, there are things you can do to prepare yourself and your home. 

Improve your home's insulation

UK homes are the least efficient in Europe, according to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Millions of our homes are leaking heat, which means wasting money on energy bills. Heat pumps aside, better insulation will make your home more comfortable and help you cut your heating bills. 

Changes to consider include:

• Installing loft or cavity wall insulation. We explain how to insulate your loft
• Installing double glazing
• Draught-proofing windows and doors to stop heat escaping
• Adding rugs, carpets and curtains to prevent draughts

If you're unsure how much insulation your home has, check your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), if you have one, or get a survey from a trained Domestic Energy Assessor or Retrofit Assessor. 

Having a well-insulated home means you'll be ready to install a heat pump when the time comes to replace your current heating system. And because you will have reduced the rate of heat loss from your home, you're likely to save money on installation as you'll need a smaller capacity heat pump to maintain a comfortable temperature. 

Use our free home energy planning service to find out how to make your property more energy efficient.

If you're not ready for a heat pump and need a new boiler, make sure you buy a reliable one. Discover the best gas and oil boiler brands.