Many technologies in today’s day and age can help us on our journey to a greener future and one of them is a heat pump. Slowly increasing in popularity, a heat pump is the ideal solution for you and your property if you’re looking to save money, reduce electricity bills and squash your carbon emissions.
How heat pumps work
Simply put, heat pumps can be described and explained as reverse refrigerators. Heat pumps capture air from outside of the building, or heat from the ground in a ground-source pump operating on the principles of thermodynamics. These systems then use this heat to warm a liquid refrigerant, turning it into a gas and releasing heat as it circulates through a closed-loop system.
Electricity is then used in the pump to compress this gas and release it at a higher temperature. This heated gas can then either be moved around the home in its gas form, or transferred to a hot water system. As heat is transferred around the home, this gas cools and turns into liquid again, completing the cycle.
Cost-effective
Heat pumps are incredibly efficient at transferring heat. You get a lot more heat out than you put in in the form of electricity, positioning them as a financially savvy choice for sustainable heating solutions.
The return on investment (ROI) for heat pump installations is a really noteworthy point. Consider the initial investment versus the substantial and ongoing savings down the line along with lower operational costs compared to traditional heating systems. With heightened energy efficiency in both heating and cooling modes, heat pumps translate to reduced energy consumption and subsequently lower utility bills over the long term.
The durability and lower maintenance requirements of heat pumps additionally reduce operational expenses while also extending the lifespan of the system, minimising the likelihood of major repair costs. In turn, this means that the positive environmental impact of heat pumps, coupled with government incentives, adds an extra layer of economic benefit. This makes them an attractive and sustainable choice for both homeowners and businesses alike.
Environmental benefits
The UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) gives their recommendations below on the best options to use more carbon-free electricity. The first is to displace a unit of coal electricity, the second is to power an electric car and the third is to power a heat pump.
Heat pumps play a crucial role in promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact. Unlike traditional heating systems that rely on burning fossil fuels, heat pumps operate by transferring heat from the air, ground, or water, meaning they require less energy to generate warmth.
Heat pumps versus hydrogen for heating really is a no-brainer. Hydrogen systems need almost six times as much electricity. This means that switching to a heat pump results in a substantial decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
In addition to the more obvious environmental benefits, heat pumps can be integrated with renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. This further enhances their environmental friendliness. By utilising clean and renewable energy, heat pumps reduce dependency on non-renewable resources and help create a more sustainable energy ecosystem. Overall, installing a heat pump represents a meaningful step toward lowering carbon footprints and fostering a greener, more environmentally conscious approach to heating your home.
Government scheme for cost reduction
To expand heat pump use going forward, the government has announced they’re extending the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) incentive until 2028. This means you can continue to get up to a £7,500 grant to swap out an old oil, gas or electric boiler heating system for a new ground or air source heat pump.
The Government has also made the installation of heat pumps in all new build homes mandatory from 2025, with no new homes being able to connect to a gas network from then onwards. If you’re interested in this scheme and upgrading your home to a heat pump alongside the government scheme, read more here and find out if you’re eligible.
Ready to get your heat pump installed?
Sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do, and we believe it’s essential to provide expert air source and ground source heat pump installation to make a difference to the environment. We are fully committed to providing renewable heating systems to anyone looking to take that step for a greener, cleaner future.
If you’re looking for a heat pump installation and want to take advantage of the Government’s excellent scheme, get in touch today and we’ll be happy to help you kick-start your journey to a greener future.