Heating accounts for up to 40% of your energy bills, so it is time to consider replacing yours with something more efficient. An efficient low-carbon heating system is one of the most important steps to reduce fuel bills and carbon dioxide emissions.
If we are to reach the net zero carbon emissions target set by the UK Government, we will need to reduce the carbon emissions from heating our homes by 95% over the next 30 years. It is estimated that the average household generated 2,690kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) from space heating and hot water heating in 2020. By 2050, we must reduce this to just 140kg per household. That’s a bold target, but the recent increase in energy prices is focusing our attention on efficiency, and if we all take some small steps, real change is possible.
In the meantime, there is a lot you can do right now to make your heating system more energy efficient, saving yourself money on your fuel bills and reducing your carbon emissions. Installing a heat pump is one way to provide heat by taking low-temperature heat from the environment and transforming it to a higher temperature.
Did you know?
- There are several heat pump types to choose from: You’ve probably heard of ground and air-source heat pumps.
- Ground source heat pumps use the heat that occurs naturally in the ground. It is extracted from your garden via pipes. Ground source heat pumps are installed using shallow horizontal trenches or deep vertical boreholes. If installing a horizontal system, you’ll need a relatively large garden to house the pipes, which run backwards and forwards. You’ll also never be able to extend over that area, so plan. Alternatively, a vertical system can be used if you have limited space – but this is typically a more expensive solution.
- There are two main types of air-source heat pumps: Air-to-air heat pumps, which absorb heat from the outside air and then transfer it directly into your home via a fan system to heat a room, and air-to-water heat pumps, which absorb heat from the outside air and then share it via your central heating system to provide hot water heating, radiator, or underfloor heating in an indoor space (or all three).
- An air-source heat pump can heat water stored in a hot cylinder for washing, showers, and baths, even when outside temperatures fall to minus 15°C.
- Heat pumps must be situated close to and outside your home. The best location is a sunny wall with plenty of airflow and space around it. It is also worth bearing in mind that, generally speaking, your Local Planning Authority will require all parts of the air source heat pump to be at least 1m from the property boundary – if in any doubt, you should always contact your Local Planning Authority and check out the Planning Portal for further advice. The distance from the boundary requirement differs if you live in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. A competent installer should be able to help you with this, but you must ensure the heat pump is correctly located.
- Heat pumps deliver heat at lower temperatures than gas and oil boilers. So, you’ll need to run them longer to heat your home to a comfortable temperature. It would be best to have larger radiators that feel less hot to the touch than with a traditional central heating system. The flow temperatures are usually set to no more than 55o C
- A well-insulated home will allow a heat pump to work more efficiently; if your home is poorly insulated, the heat pump’s warmth will escape easily, and you may find your home’s temperature doesn’t reach the level you’re used to. However, the Electrification of Heat Project found that all house types are suitable for a heat pump. Fitting a heat pump to a period home can be less advantageous as older homes are often less airtight. For example, a Victorian detached house with suspended timber feature floors may be very draughty, so it might not suit underfloor heating via an air-source heat pump.
- Heat pumps can save money on heating bills if you replace an expensive system such as electric storage heaters, oil, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) or coal. Many energy suppliers now offer special heat pump tariffs, making them an even more attractive choice.
- Some air source heat pumps can also work as a cooling system in the summer months – but this needs to be carefully designed by a specialist to avoid the risk of interstitial condensation, particularly if your property has underfloor heating.
- The building work and the heat pump appliance must comply with the Building Regulations, and the person who installs it should belong to either a relevant Competent Persons Scheme or a microgeneration certification scheme. (As always, seek reviews before committing to any company to do the work.)
- Your motives for changing your existing heating may affect your final decision. Are you looking to reduce your carbon emissions, fuel bills, or both? It’s essential to consider the fuel you’ll be replacing, the type of heating system you have, and the suitability of your property for a particular system.
- Low-carbon heating should be a good investment if you’re off the gas grid, using oil or LPG, or replacing an electric heating system. However, if the gas network serves your home and you have a relatively new heating system, switching to low-carbon heating may result in increased fuel bills. It might be worth exploring other types of renewable energy, such as solar PV.
- You can find more information about heat pumps at The Energy Saving Trust.
The NHIC wishes to thank WG2 | Consumer Voice members for contributing to this guide.
Please note that this guidance document produced by the NHIC was correct when created. However, information and regulations may have changed since its publication. Therefore, seeking the most up-to-date information and expert advice is always advisable before making any decisions related to Heat Pumps.
