What are heat pumps?

UK energy prices have of course been a hot topic in recent years, with many homeowners looking for more affordable alternatives to heat their properties and keep their loved ones warm. When considering the options however, eco-friendly solutions like heat pumps feature way down the list.

With recent news that the government has deemed heat pumps too expensive, their future isn’t looking particularly bright. Despite their advantages, just 55,000 heat pumps were sold and installed in the UK during 2022, which falls well short of the government’s climate change target to fit 600,000 by 2028.

The lack of awareness surrounding heat pumps was also raised as a concern, which is why we thought we’d dedicate this blog post to all things heat pump. So, what should you know about this type of green technology?

Introducing the heat pump

Already popularly used in colder climates, heat pumps have been billed by the UK government as a vital piece of the puzzle for heating our homes in a more environmentally friendly way.

Similar to the system found in your fridge or freezer, but used in reverse on a much bigger scale, a heat pump doesn’t actually create heat. It simply moves heat from one place to another for better distribution.

How heat pumps work

Heat pumps use the air outside to heat a liquid refrigerant before utilising electricity to compress it and boost its temperature. The heated air is then transferred into the home, where it can be distributed via traditional heating methods such as radiators and underfloor heating. It can also be used to heat water.

Alternatively, heat can be extracted from the ground or a water source and processed using a similar method.

The pros and cons of heat pumps

Despite using electricity to power the system, a heat pump is much more efficient than a conventional gas boiler. The average system provides up to 4 units of heat per unit of electricity compared to a boiler’s one unit of heat per single unit of gas.

The fact that heat pumps are a renewable and low to zero carbon form of heating is another reason why they are a vital aspect of the government’s climate change initiative. In addition to lowering a property’s carbon footprint, a heat pump can save you money on your energy bills when used in a well-insulated property.

The space, and initial cost and effort, associated with heat pump installation deter many from integrating this green technology into their homes. It may also cost you more money to run if your property is poorly insulated.

Want to find out more about your home heating options? Find a local plumber right here.