Are Heat Pumps Worth It in the UK?

As the UK transitions towards cleaner and more sustainable heating solutions, installing a heat pump is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional gas and electric boilers. These systems offer high efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and potential cost savings. However, they come with a high upfront investment and may not be suitable for every home. This article will explore how they work, their benefits, drawbacks, and whether they are a worthwhile investment for UK homeowners.

In a nutshell, these systems move warmth from one location to another to heat your home. They are a highly efficient way of cooling and heating because generating hot or cool air usually takes much more energy than simply moving it around.

Let’s break this down into the two main types: the air-to-water and the ground source. 

Ground source models transfer warmth from the ground around your home to warm the radiators or in-floor heating inside your home. They can also be used to create hot water for household use. They use thermal transfer fluid (TTF), a mixture of water and antifreeze, transferred through a loop of pipe buried under your garden. The TTF is passed through the pipe to absorb warmth from the ground. The heated fluid passes through a heat exchanger, causing the temperature to rise, and that thermal energy is transferred to water used to warm the home. 

Air source models or air-to-water pumps work on a similar principle. They transfer warmth from the air outside your home to the water. Furthermore, they use a TTF to absorb the warmth, which is passed through an exchanger before it’s transferred to the water. The water is then used to warm your home and provide hot water.

The benefits of installing these systems far outweigh the downsides. Let’s take a look:

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers financial assistance for homeowners wanting to invest. If you’re eligible, you could receive up to £7,500 towards reducing your system's upfront costs.

The most significant advantage is their massive increase in efficiency, reaching as high as 400% compared to modern electric boilers at 100% and gas boilers at around 98%, resulting in significant energy savings every year. While air source models will lose efficiency if the outside temperature drops below 0°C, they can still operate at up to 200% down to -25°C, better than any other option. They can also be powered with solar panels and a battery backup system like the EcoFlow Power Ocean (Single-Phase), making them even more efficient. 

Although heat pumps have a high initial cost—particularly ground source models that require extra infrastructure—their long lifespan of around 20 years and high efficiency make them more cost-effective over time. Heat pumps have lower running costs than oil, LPG, or electric boilers, leading to significant long-term savings.

They’re much safer than combustion boilers since they don’t use combustion and emit no toxic fumes, so you don’t have to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Heat pumps can significantly reduce your carbon footprint because of their highly efficient electricity conversion rate, which can reduce emissions by up to 80%. 

You can reduce emissions even more when you power yours with solar panels and a solar battery backup system like the EcoFlow Power Ocean (Single-Phase). Then, you can power your system with renewable energy that produces zero carbon emissions. If you already have photovoltaics, you can retrofit your system with battery storage without changing your current inverters using an EcoFlow PowerOcean DC Fit. 

Since they use compressors to move warmth around, they require far less maintenance and fewer repairs than combustion systems. You will still need to occasionally clean the coils, fans, filters, and electrical connections and ensure there are no obstructions preventing airflow.

In some cases, especially with air source systems, you can often run the system in reverse in the summer to circulate cold water and use it in place of an air conditioner.

Even the best technology has some downsides. Let’s examine the minor downsides of these systems.

They still need electricity to run, which is currently three to four times more expensive per unit than gas in the UK. This means the electricity costs of running them are sometimes higher than those of a modern gas boiler, depending on your home and system. Still, your system will be more efficient, saving you more in the long run. You can make them cheaper by using solar panels and a solar battery like the EcoFlow Power Ocean (Three-Phase) to power them for free.

Older models tended to be loud, leading to noise complaints. Newer systems are much quieter. However, to confirm, check the decibel rating or if it’s MCS-certified, which means it has passed the MCS 020 Noise Neighbour Impact Assessment. Also, don’t place it next to a window or somewhere you spend a lot of time so the noise won’t bother you. 

They require a large financial investment, which can be challenging for some homeowners. An air source model for an average 3-bedroom home generally costs between £8,000 and £15,000, while ground models will cost between £18,000 and £35,000. Still, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) can cover up to £7,500.

Installation is often more complex than traditional boilers, especially ground-to-water models, which require additional infrastructure. Both models require a qualified heating engineer to conduct a heat/loss survey to determine whether your home is suitable and what pump capacity you will need.

In older homes or large rooms, single radiators often must be replaced with oversized or double radiators to make them work more efficiently. Occasionally, the pipework must also be changed if the diameter is too small.

Finally, if your property is listed or in a conservation area, you may need planning permission, so check with your local council or planning department.

This only applies to air source models, but they do drop in efficiency when the outside temperature drops below 0°C. However, they can still operate at up to 200% at temperatures of -15 to -25°C. Ground source models maintain a more consistent temperature, and their efficiency declines very little in the winter.

A heat pump is more durable, lasts longer, is more efficient, and is safer than gas boilers. However, they cost more, and you might have to replace your radiators to get an efficient system.

Electric boilers are cheaper than a heat pump and simpler to install since you most likely won’t need to install new radiators or a new water storage cylinder. Still, electric boilers can only operate at 100% efficiency, so they can never achieve the same efficiencies.

A heat pump works best in well-insulated, airtight homes. If your home is old and has poor insulation, you must upgrade it before installing one. Also, if your pipework is smaller than 15mm and you only have single radiators in all your rooms, this could necessitate significant upgrades before they can work efficiently.

While air source models require little space, you still need enough outside space at the side or back of your property to allow adequate air circulation around the unit. It should also be placed in a location where the noise won’t disturb anyone. Ground source models require a significant amount of land or access to dig a borehole, which not all homes have available, especially in urban areas.

A high-quality heat pump, with minimal maintenance, can generally last 20 years or more. Factors such as climate, usage patterns, and regular servicing can influence its lifespan. Routine inspections and timely repairs help ensure optimal performance and longevity, making heat pumps a reliable long-term investment.

No, a heat pump is highly efficient, operating at up to 400% efficiency, making it a superior heating choice for UK homes. However, only well-insulated homes are suitable, and some other factors could increase the installation costs, making them less appealing for certain homeowners.

Pumping heat uses less electricity than most methods used to turn electricity into warmth. Still, since electricity costs so much in the UK, running one may cost more for some homes than a modern gas boiler. Still, you can run your heat pump on solar panels and pay nothing.

A heat pump offers a highly efficient, eco-friendly alternative to traditional heating systems, with long-term cost savings and reduced carbon emissions. While they have high upfront costs, government grants and solar integration make them a smart choice for many UK homeowners. If you’re considering installing one, pairing it with a solar battery system like the EcoFlow Power Ocean (Single-Phase) can maximise efficiency and savings, providing a sustainable and cost-effective heating solution for your home.