Which? shares advice on heat pumps

Emily Seymour, Which? Sustainability Editor, said: 

“Many of us want to reduce the carbon footprint of our homes and save money, where possible. A heat pump is a sustainable replacement for fossil fuel heating such as gas, oil or LPG and can potentially cut energy bills in the long run. They are expensive to install though, and it’s important to make sure your home is suitable before making a commitment.

“For those considering investing in a heat pump, the first step is to check if it’s suitable for your home. Heat pumps need installation space and room for a hot water cylinder. They work most efficiently in well insulated homes. If your home is not energy efficient, you can still install one, but you may need to add extra insulation or replace your radiators or central heating pipework to ensure that it works effectively.

“Heat pumps are pricey, with costs to install air source pumps generally ranging between £7,000 and £13,000. The exact price will depend on your home, as you will need to factor in the cost of any extra work such as upgrading your radiators, adding insulation or installing a hot-water storage tank. The government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers a grant of up to £5,000 to install an air source heat pump in homes in England and Wales, while homeowners in Scotland are eligible up to £9,000 through the Home Energy Scotland Scheme. Find out what’s available to you and how to apply at gov.uk.“

ENDS

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