It is becoming easier for homeowners to find more environmentally friendly ways to heat their homes.
The most popular alternative and more efficient heating method is air source heat pumps.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is an energy efficient way to heat your home.
While a traditional home boiler generates heat, a heat pump works by transferring it.
A heat pump can be more energy efficient as the idea is that you aren’t burning gas but are instead transferring the warmth from outside into your home and to your radiators or hot water.
There are a few different types of pumps that source their heat either from the air or ground. This most common and cheapest version is an air-source heat pump.
The system works in the reverse of a fridge, pulling warmth from the outside ambient air, using a compression cycle that a fridge does before exchanging this heat from the refrigerant to the heating system components to deliver warmth into your home.
A heat pump is seen as more energy efficient as it can produce several units of heat for every unit of electricity it uses, while boilers are using more power to generate heat.
According to the Centre for Alternative Technology, a heat pump uses one unit of electricity to deliver three or four units of heat, making it more efficient to run than a traditional gas boiler.
In contrast, a boiler burns gas to generate heat, but while most modern versions are efficient, energy is still lost through the flue, according to the Energy Savings Trust.
Some critics claim heat pumps will struggle to generate heat in winter months, raising questions about how they can cope with the cold British winter weather.
Similar to a boiler, some efficiency may be lost when it is colder but many heat pumps come with defrost cycles and backup heaters.
But air source heat pumps are also common in colder climates such as Norway, Finland, Sweden and Estonia and can operate down to -20C on some models, with the European Commission highlighting that these countries have the highest number of heat pumps per capita in Europe.
Ultimately, having a heat pump installed at home could help you do your bit for the environment whatever the weather, plus it could even save you money on your electricity bills in the long run depending on the direction of energy prices.
Does a heat pump save money on energy bills?
There are a lot of other factors when it comes to keeping your energy bills down such as how insulated your home is and your usage.
One issue with heat pumps is that they use electricity to run which is currently more expensive than gas.
A heat pump costs around the same amount to run than a typical gas boiler, according to the Energy Savings Trust. But you could make savings if you have an old boiler. The Energy Savings Trust estimates that replacing an older G-rated gas boiler with a heat pump could save you around £260 a year on energy bills.
The savings can also depend on the tariff you are on.
For example, E.ON Next’s Next Pumped tariff offers cheaper rates between 10pm to 6am.
Plus it is powered by 100% renewable electricity, which complements the environmental impact of the heat pump with extra CO2 savings.
The actual savings will depend on the outside temperature though as well as the age and condition of your heat pump and when you actually use the energy.
When you apply for a quote, actual running costs will be forecast based on your property type, insulation levels and current energy consumption to provide an estimated running cost.
It is not just the savings to consider though. You also have to consider the installation costs.
How much does a heat pump cost to install?
The cost of a heat pump depends on the model and amount of power needed.
Government figures suggest the installation costs range from £11,457 to £16,029 for an air source heat pump before any funding has been used.
That can be a hefty sum to spend. You can’t just compare this to the cost of replacing a boiler though as installing a heat pump can mean overhauling your whole heating system, including new radiators, to ensure it’s operating as efficiently and effectively as possible.
But the good news is that there is government support available as it aims to help homeowners go green under its Warm Homes Plan.
Homeowners can apply for a £7,500 government grant towards the cost of installing a heat pump, which in some cases could cover more than half the cost.
You will be eligible if you own the property you are applying for and are replacing an existing fossil fuel heating system such as a boiler.
Your property must have a valid energy performance certificate or you will have to arrange for one to be done. Many providers can help you arrange an EPC as part of the process, if it’s required.
One option is to find MCS certified installers who can tell you if you are eligible.
Terms and conditions, the process and the costs can be tricky to understand though.
Alternatively, E.ON Next can help arrange the grant for you and manage the whole process, which can be useful for busy homeowners who still want to make the switch.
E.ON Next also offers flexible two-year 0% financing and interest loans to fund the work and make it more affordable.
It works with trusted and established brands in the industry such as Vaillant and Worcester Bosch, which can save you time on shopping around and deciding which products are right for your home.
New and existing E.ON Next customers can apply online using a four step tool that will let you get a quote on a recommended heat pump for you. It helps you choose the most suitable heat pump for your home, arrange a heat loss assessment for your property to check your property is well insulated and get your new heat pump designed and installed to MCS standards.
Current E.ON Next customers can also get £200 off the total heat pump cost.
Plus, whether you choose a Worcester or a Vaillant heat pump, you will get a seven year product warranty and two-year workmanship warranty. In addition, you’ll have access to dedicated support online guides, all providing peace of mind on what is new technology for most people.
This ultimately means you get expert guidance and support to make sure the switch is worth it for you and take the hassle out of the whole process.
