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Heat Pumps |
Heat PumpsHeat pumps use electricity to heat your home (How do they work? See the Energy Saving Trust: Guide to Heat Pumps). They are highly efficient, pushing 3-4 units or more of heat into a home for every unit of electricity used. And, as the grid decarbonises, so does your heating. They are key to electrifying heating.Heat Pump TypesPeople in the UK referring to 'a heat pump' are most commonly referring to an Air-to-water heat pump (1):
Fridges and freezers use heat pumps, so you probably already have one in your home. BenefitsSavingsThe efficiency of a well installed heat pump allows them to approximately match the running costs of a gas boiler on the price cap tariff.Heat pumps use electricity but eliminate your gas use (or oil, wood or electric storage), unless you choose to keep the previous system as a backup (e.g. if your area is prone to prolonged blackouts) or continue to use fuel for cooking.
Octopus's Cosy Heat Pump Fleet Performance Dashboard - details of how most Octopus owners run their heat pumps more cheaply than with gas, and how much they save. It also estimates the average SPF (full-year heating and hot water efficiency). As of 5 July 2026, this is 3.77 (377% efficiency). The dashboard shows how heat performance drops in colder periods and how this is compensated for by better performance in milder weather. A heat pump runs best when run low and slow, with reductions overnight and during absence (see Heat Geek: Should Your Heating be Left on All the Time or Not?). They can also take advantage of time of use tariffs to 'boost' when rates are lower. Estimating savingsTim and Kats Green Walk tariff comparison tool - if you are considering solar and/or battery, you can input your use into this tool, and try a variety of solar and battery sizes and see their effect on your bills.Depending on your use, a large solar and battery system may offer the best saving and a solar and battery payback time of around 6-7 years (higher electricity costs speeds payback time). But even smaller plug-in solar or battery systems are beneficial. EmissionsHeat pumps offer emissions savings versus gas boilers. Gas boilers emit around 2 tonnes of CO2 annually. A "heat pump would offset its embodied carbon after 13 months" (Carbon Brief Heat Pump Fact Check). ChallengesSpaceA heat pump can take up more space internally than a combination (combi) gas boiler, typically storing hot water in a large cylinder. If space is tight, you may be able to fit a Heat Geek Mini Store or Heat Geek Nano Store that can fit in a space around the size of a under-counter kitchen unit. Installation CostHeat pumps installs typically cost more than simply replacing a gas boiler. Heat pump grants can reduce the cost of a heat pump install to less than the replacement cost of a gas boiler, sometimes to a minimal amount or even free. As of 5th July 2026, the average heat pump install was around £5,400 after the £7,500 grant. Available grant schemes: An Air-to-air (AC) grant is planned, but may do little more than cover the cost of the MCS certification of the installation. InsulationInsulation can reduce property heat losses, and the costs of running a heating system. "Heat pumps can work in any building if sized, designed and installed correctly", including an uninsulated stone church (Carbon Brief Heat Pump Fact Check). When installing a heat pump, you may at the same time chose to improve insulation to allow a smaller, less expensive heat pump and smaller radiators to be used. NoiseHeat pumps run quietly when well maintained, but can emit more noise when under load. Typically heat pumps are no more noisy than a fridge. InstallThe performance of a heat pump very much depends upon the installer (see Heat Geek: What to Ask Your Heat Pump Surveyor When Getting Quotes?) A heat pump installation can be disruptive if radiators and pipework need to be replaced (Heat Geek Do I Need to Upgrade my Radiators for a Heat Pump? / Does My Pipework Need Upgrading for a Heat Pump?). Seeing a Heat Pump for Yourself
YouTubers with Heat Pumps (ASHP)
YouTubers Planning Buy a Heat Pump
YouTubers Heating with Air Conditioning (AC)Those that use air conditioning (AC) to heat their house, rather than an Air Source Heat Pump
Other Heat Pump Coverage
YouTubers Dscussing the Transition
Articles on the Transition
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