Don’t Wait Until the Winter Summer is the Best Time to Install Your Heat Pump

The UK has set ambitious goals to combat climate change and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. It is vital that the country transitions away from traditional heating methods that rely heavily on fossil fuels such as gas, to meet these targets. Heat pumps offer a greener alternative and transform the way we stay warm during our chilly winter months by harnessing renewable energy sources to provide warmth.

Now that the weather is getting warmer it’s not surprising if changing your existing heating system is not at the forefront of your mind. Most of us will not need to put our heating on in the next few months. It’s more likely that we’ll be thinking about holidays in the sun & garden parties.

The warmer weather is the very reason why it’s a great time to install a heat pump. Even if you employ the best experts to remove your conventional boiler and replace it with a heat pump, the installation can involve some period of time when the heating needs to be turned off. If you organise the installation to happen during the summer when you weren’t going to have the heating on anyway you won’t have to suffer having the heating turned off on what could be a freezing cold day in the winter. Although it’s perfectly natural that you won’t be thinking about your heating system in the summer it’s definitely worth preparing for the winter months during the summer.

Another advantage to consider is that because the heating industry is quieter during the summer months, you’ll have a better chance of being able to book in your installation for exactly when you want it. In the peak winter period when every job is urgent and the weather is less predictable, resources and hardware supply lines can get stretched.

Thanks to advancements in technology and engineering, heat pumps no longer struggle to deliver adequate heat on particularly cold days during the winter. Modern heat pumps can efficiently operate even in extremely low temperatures. Heat pumps can effectively extract heat from the outdoor air, ground, or water sources.

Air sources heat pumps are especially popular as they offer flexible installation options and require minimal outdoor space.

As well as the environmental gains, heat pumps can also lead to substantial savings on your heating bills. Even though the upfront heat pump cost may be higher than traditional heating systems the long-term savings and return on investment are worth considering. As gas is phased out it is likely to become more expensive than electricity which is required to run a heat pump. Heat pumps also require less energy to operate, resulting in reduced energy consumption and lower utility bills. Moreover, homeowners can benefit from government incentives, such as the Boiler Upgrade scheme which has been extended to run until 2028. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers 3 low carbon heating systems, biomass boilers, air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps. The scheme is offering £5,000 off the cost and installation of biomass boilers and air source heat pumps and £6,000 off the cost and installation of ground source heat pumps.

Though the scheme has been extended until 2028 it’s worth applying as soon as possible as uptake of the grant has massively increased recently and there is a danger of the vouchers for the grant running out. The government will need to not only extend the time period but the funding available for the scheme.

This is an exciting time for heat pumps in the UK as the technology improves in leaps and bounds. The government is actively supporting the adoption of heat pumps through policy frameworks and incentives. There is far greater awareness about heat pumps as well as greater availability of skilled installers which is helping to further grow the popularity of this sustainable solution.

Just recently British Gas, a leading energy and home services provider, has unveiled its ground-breaking Heat Pump Performance Promise. The Heat Pump Performance Promise is a bold assurance from British Gas that their heat pump installations will deliver outstanding performance and efficiency. British Gas has committed to ensuring that their heat pump installations will meet or exceed the industry's highest standards of performance, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Furthermore, British Gas's Heat Pump Performance Promise goes beyond installation. The company is committed to providing ongoing maintenance and support to ensure the longevity and optimal functioning of heat pump systems. Alongside its headline, money back pledge, the new Warm Home Promise includes a commitment to ensure "lowest cost install" for customers.

Before installing a heat pump it’s essential to ensure you have adequate insulation, double glazing, and sufficiently big enough radiators to maximise the performance of your heat pump. Retrofitting older homes with sufficient insulation can enhance the overall efficiency of the system. Also, you should be aware of the noise levels that can be associated with heat pumps and ensure proper maintenance to keep them in optimal condition.

With advancements in technology, heat pumps are emerging as a reliable and efficient heating solution. By embracing this sustainable alternative to fossil fuel heating systems, you can reduce your carbon footprint, save on heating costs, and contribute to the overall goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.