Myths about heat pumps debunked!

There are two camps when it comes to renewable energy. There are the renewable energy advocates that champion heat pumps and eco-friendly technologies, and on the opposing side, are consumers that are content with their gas heating systems and reluctant to delve into the renewable energy sector for themselves. 

As a fairly new advancement, air source heat pumps in some cases have been written about in the media, unfavourably, and a number of myths have come to light and been published, which we hope to dispel in this article.

So, let’s get into it.

They’re complicated 

Once they are set up, they’re no more complicated than a normal boiler with similar controls. They can be left to run automatically after the initial set-up. 

Here at Therma Renewables, we will always talk you through your heating system, making sure you fully understand the functionality and the controls to ensure you’re fully comfortable.

Your EPC needs to be a certain rating to be able to apply for the grant (Boiler Upgrade Scheme) 

Not at all. What you do need is a current EPC which doesn’t recommend loft or cavity wall insulation. It doesn’t matter if there are recommendations for solid wall insulation or room in roof insulation. 

Installation can only occur in modern and well-insulated homes

Improving insulation in your home should already be a priority, however, once this has been done where cost versus benefits has been reached, then a heat pump offers an effective green solution for potentially energy inefficient properties.

Heat pumps, if correctly designed and installed, won’t fail your house for heating. But an inefficient house will fail a heat pump if a thorough survey and assessment hasn’t been carried out. 

Too many people installing heat pumps are not properly qualified and therefore install the wrong size heat pump which then don’t work efficiently.  

They need to use electricity, which is more expensive than gas is

Heat pumps generate a lot more heat than the electricity that is used to power them. This is calculated as a Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) and measures the efficiency of heat out versus energy in. 

A modern boiler (gas) is 85-90%, whereas a heat pump is usually 350-400%. This means that with prices as they stand, a heat pump’s operating cost is comparable with gas boilers and cheaper than others.

They’re hard to install 

Yes, heat pumps are more complicated than a standard boiler installations, but if installed by a trained heat pump engineer, they’re straightforward to fit. 

Here at Therma Renewables, we are MCS accredited. MCS certified installers must install heat pumps, this is very important to look for when choosing an installer. 

They’re hard to fix when they break

No, heat pumps are actually more reliable than gas boilers are. They do last longer but benefit from regular services. Here at Therma Renewables, we offer servicing alongside installation. 

They aren’t suitable for terraced houses

Not true. Development rules stipulate that heat pumps must be installed at least 1m from the boundary of the property.  If space is a luxury which may be the case in a terraced house, and this could not be completed, that is when planning permission would be required. 

They’re loud

Newer models of heat pumps are quiet. A properly installed heat pump would have a noise calculation completed to ensure that the chosen location meets regulations.  

Heat pumps only work in warmer climates and won’t work in the cold  

Many people believe that heat pumps only work in warm conditions. This is not true. Heat pumps are designed to work in the cold too. Heat pumps can work in temperatures as low as -25°C in some cases. 

Installation is too expensive

Heat pumps do have a higher initial cost than traditional heating systems. Having said that, they can save money over the years. Because they are more energy efficient than conventional systems it means  you’ll save money on your energy bills over time. 

A back up system is required as they’re not efficient enough on their own

It is true that heat pumps can become less efficient in extremely cold temperatures, they don’t need a backup system. Modern pumps are designed to work efficiently in all temperatures, and if sized appropriately should certainly not need this. 

They need to be running for long periods of time 

It’s true that heat pumps work at lower flow temperature than normal boilers; meaning they do take a little longer to get a room up to temperature. Having said that, the key to all successful heat pump installations is to ensure that they are correctly sized. If designed correctly, they are efficient and cost effective. 

To conclude, if designed and installed correctly by an MCS accredited installer, heat pumps are a fantastic option for your home. Despite common myths discussed here, they are efficient and cost effective.

If you are considering a heat pump for your home, here at Therma Renewables, we are happy to discuss any element of this with you. 

To start a conversation with us about a heat pump for your home or commercial property, email us on [email protected] and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.