Read Time : 6 Minutes
Heat Pump Pros and Cons - A Complete Guide for UK 2024
If you have found yourself interested in investing in a heat pump for your home or business, then you will want to know about the various pros and cons that are associated with them. Here, we take a look at them in detail – providing you with a clear view of each side to help you make your choice.
A heat pump can be a fantastic and wise investment. However, it is first important to make sure that it is going to work for you and fit in with your home.
What Are Heat Pumps?
Heat pumps are systems that move (or pump) heat from one place to another by using a compressor and circulating a structure of liquid or gas refrigerant. Through this, the heat is extracted from outside sources and then pumped indoors. Pumping the heat tends to use a lot less electrical energy than the typical methods of turning electricity into heat. Plus, during the summer months, depending on the model, the cycle can be reversed, and the unit will act as an air conditioner instead, making it multi-functional.
The popularity and deployment of heat pumps has been a lot slower in the UK than the rest of Europe. This isn't due to our often wet and cool climate (heat pumps are really popular in Scandinavia and Canada) but more due to a lack of publicity and the impressive gas infrastructure we've relied on for years. The UK's legal commitment to net-zero by 2050 will mean that our reliance on gas boilers will have to come to an end and, switching to heat pumps will be a key step to meeting these ambitious targets.
Government incentives like the RHI, which was scrapped a couple of years ago and the current Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) have brought heat pumps into the public eye. The UK government has pledged financial assistance for home owners looking to make the switch, hoping to encourage property owners in the UK to install up to 600,000 heat pumps per year.
Heat pumps are the most efficient alternative to traditional boiler systems, when it comes to the process of heating and/or cooling our homes and workplaces. They supply a larger capacity of heating and cooling than the amount of electrical energy that is used to run it. In fact, the efficiency rate is able to reach as high as 400%.
COMPARE PRICES FROM LOCAL INSTALLERS
Compare prices from local companies fast & free
Enter your postcode to compare quotes from leading professionals. We promise to keep your information Safe & Secure. Privacy Policy
How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost?
Heat pumps are pretty pricey to install, although costs will vary for every model of heat pump. The usual price range for a complete installation of an air source heat pump is between £8,000 and £14,000 and for a ground source heat pump between £18,000 and £35,000. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is now available for all residential properties and some commercial, offering £7,500 off the initial outlay.
Running costs will vary depending on your how you utilise your heating system, your property's overall energy efficiency, the size of the property and kW capacity of the heat pump itself. Due to the high efficiency of heat pumps, they are usually significantly cheaper to run than LPG, oil, and electric boilers. On the other hand, the running costs can be higher than a modern gas boiler. Heat pumps may run up to 300% or 400% efficiency but gas is three or four times cheaper by the unit than electricity and heat pumps are designed to be on more of the time to create an ambient heat.
Below is a table of costs associated with the installation and running of an ASHP and GSHP compared to traditional boilers.
| System type | System cost ** | Energy source being replaced | Annual approx. running costs | Annual saving *** | Break-even point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air-source | £6,500 | Oil | £1,800 | £1,000 | 6.5 years |
| Air-source | £6,500 | LPG | £1,250 | £450 | 14.4 years |
| Ground source | £17,500 | Oil | £1,800 | £1000 | 17.5 years |
| Ground source | £17,500 | Liquid gas LPG | £1,250 | £450 | 38 years |
* These figures assume that a property has loft and wall cavity insulation and double glazed windows. They assume that the property has two floors, around 90 square meters of floor area, and, in the case of ground source heat pumps, around 180 square meters of available outside space for the installation of tubing.
** These figures assumed that the property received the Boiler Upgrade Scheme which is £7,500 off the initial cost. We assume that the average cost of installing an air-source heat pump is £14,000 and the average cost of a GSHP was £25,000. The initial upfront cost of an ASHP for a standard residential property in the UK can be between £2,000 and £10,000 after receiving the BUS.
*** We assumed that the running costs of an air-source heat pump and ground-source heat pump in the UK is £800 PA. The running costs can vary between approx. £650 to £1,500, based on a 3-4 bedroom residential property.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to installing a heat pump is to ensure that it is done correctly. The installer should explain how it works at every step, as well as advise the ideal settings for your home and location. Always make sure you go with a reputable installer.
The Advantages of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are much safer than combustion boilers.
The annual service is to check that the heat pump is working efficiently and to maintain the manufacturer's warranty, not to check if it's operating safely.
They have long life-spans. Most will last 20 years or more with proper maintenance.
Most heat pumps have a 10 year warranty but always check the paperwork and ask your installation company what parts, service and labour guaranties they offer.
They are cheaper to run than oil, LPG and electric boilers.
An ASHP may not be cheaper to run than a conventional mains gas boiler, especially if your property has a modern high efficiency unit. More on that in the disadvantages.
A heat pump can reduce your carbon footprint. They have a highly efficient conversion rate of electricity to heat.
Heat pumps are said to reduce a properties carbon emissions by up to 80%. Switching from a gas boiler to an ASHP can save 1,800 KG of CO2 PA and switching from an oil boiler can save 2,900 KG PA, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Less maintenance than combustion heating systems.
You'll still need to have the unit professionally serviced but there's some stuff you can do yourself. Clean coils, fans, filters and electrical connections. Make sure there's no obstructions preventing a good air flow.
Heat pumps can, in some cases, provide cooling during the summer, effectively making it an air conditioner.
This mostly applies to air-to-air systems but some air or ground to water systems can circulate cold water around your CH system. Essentially, they can work in reverse.
You may be eligible for Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) which can land you £7,500 towards the upfront costs.
Click here for everything you need to know about the BUS for heat pumps.
Heat pumps are highly efficient.
Heat pumps can run at up to 400% efficiency. Modern electric boilers can only ever reach 100% efficiency and gas boilers to around 98%.
Air source heat pumps will lose some efficiency if the outside temperature drops below 0°C but can usually still offer efficiencies up to 200% down to 15-25°C. Always check the manufacturers specifications.
They can be powered by solar PV panels.
Solar PV generate electricity and heat pumps run on it. That said, it's not the perfect marriage, you generally need heating when the days are shorter and darker, and your solar panels aren't generating as much.
The Disadvantages of Heat Pumps
Heat pump systems can be a large financial investment.
An ASHP for a 3-4 bedroom property in the UK usually costs between £8,000 and £15,000. The average cost of installing a GSHP in the UK is between £18,000 and £35,000.
More on the costs involved with heat pumps here.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) can cover £7,500 of that sizable initial outlay
Installation can be more complex and specific than for tradition boilers.
You will need a qualified heating engineer to carry out a heat/loss survey. From this the surveyor will ascertain if your property is suitable for a heat pump and what capacity heat pump you require in order to meet your requirements.
It is often necessary to replace some radiators in the main living areas with over-sized or double radiators, this is more often the case when your radiators are singles.
If the pipework throughout your property is micro-bore (anything under 15mm) then it may also be necessary to change the pipework out. This is obviously quite an upheaval. The option is a high temperature heat pump. Make sure to discuss this with your installer.
Some of the fluids used for heat transfer are of questionable sustainability, raising environmental concerns.
Some heat pumps use non-toxic fluids and others have CFCs with high negative impact. Most conventional heat pumps use safe mixes known as Freon.
The installation process can require significant disruption to your house, and the surrounding land in the case of a GSHP.
Some minor or major work will have to be done on your property, including penetrating external walls. Click here for a detailed breakdown of how ASHP's and GSHP's are installed.
Air source heat pumps lose efficiency when the outside temperature drops below 0°C
Air source heat pumps often run at approx. 300% efficiency until 0°C, after this the efficiency can drop off to 200% or lower. Most modern ASHP units claim to operate effectively down to temperatures of -15 to -25°C.
GSHP's extract heat from the ground which maintains a more consistent temperature, offering higher efficiency in the colder months.
Electricity is required to run the heat pumps.
Electricity is currently three of four times more expensive per unit than gas. We do expect the cost per unit of electricity to drop relative to the cost of mains gas, but for now the running costs of a heat pump can often be higher than a modern gas boiler.
From an environmental perspective, if you get your electricity from a provider that generates its electricity using renewable means, then you're virtually carbon neutral.
Special planning permissions can be required.
Heat pumps must be one meter from the neighbours perimeter in England and Scotland, and two meters in Wales and Northern Ireland. The government have announced that they will drop this rule due to heat pumps being a lot quieter than they used to be, but no date has been set yet.
If your property is listed or in a conservation area, then you may need planning permission. There may also be local planning constraints so it's always worth checking with your local council or planning department.
Heat pumps can be noisy.
Some heat pumps are now advertised as 'whisper quiet' but it's certainly advisable to check the decibel rating of the unit being offered to you. Consider the location for the pump; is it near a window or close to somewhere you spend time?
It's important to ensure that your heat pump is MCS certified. This certification means that the unit has passed the MCS 020 Noise Neighbour Impact Assessment.
Heat pumps are not suitable for all properties in the UK.
Although modern high temperature heat pumps are more applicable for properties with low energy efficiency than their predecessors, we have a lot of older properties in the UK that aren't suitable for most heat pumps.
We have an article 'Is my property suitable for a heat pump?' that covers this in more detail.
So... Are Heat Pumps any good?
Heat pumps are highly efficient systems for heating our homes and places of work, offering significant advantages with some drawbacks. On the plus side, their energy efficiency is unparalleled, often achieving 300-400% efficiency by transferring heat instead of generating it. This often results in lower running costs when compared to traditional boilers. Environmentally, heat pumps reduce emissions by using electricity, potentially sourced from renewables, instead of fossil fuels. They also provide year-round climate control and have long lifespans with low maintenance.
On the downside, you're often looking at a high initial outlay, which can be a barrier. Installation can be disruptive, particularly for ground source systems. Their performance in extremely cold climates can be less efficient and their dependence on electricity can be a disadvantage where electricity is costly or unreliable. Additionally, homes without a suitable central heating system or with minimal insulation may require more significant works for a heat pump to work effectively.
It's essential that property owners are aware of the pros and cons of heat pumps before investing, and we hope that this article has covered everything. If you've got a heat pump and feel we've missed anything, please do let us know using the 'Contact Us' form.
Want to Know More?
Have you found yourself interested in heat pumps? You can access our database of installation companies, fill in a 'Contact Us' form, or simply give us a ring using the number at the top of this page and have a chat.
Find a local installer
Welcome to the biggest directory of UK renewable energy companies
How Does a Heat Pump Work? UK Guide 2024
