Air Source Heat Pumps: Advantages for UK Homeowners

Heat pumps are steadily heating more and more UK homes, with an ambitious government aim to have 600,000 installed per year by 2028. But what benefits can a heat pump bring to homeowners? If you’re considering a heat pump for your home, our experts can help you decide. We've compiled a list of heat pump advantages you can enjoy when making the switch. 

As one of the UK's leading heating manufacturers, we believe in providing clear, honest advice. A heat pump has significant benefits, from major reductions in your carbon footprint to long-term financial savings. However, it's just as essential to address the common questions and potential disadvantages of a heat pump, such as installation costs and home suitability.

This guide shares the advantages of heat pumps, giving you the clarity you need to choose the right path for your home. And if you’re keen to learn even more about heat pumps, our expert heat pump guide covers everything you need to know.

5 Advantages of Installing a Heat Pump

First, let's explore the benefits that are making thousands of UK homeowners switch to an air source heat pump.

• Reduces your carbon emissions

One of the biggest benefits of heat pumps is that they operate using electricity and don’t directly emit carbon dioxide, making them much more environmentally friendly than traditional heating systems. In fact, according to the Energy Saving Trust, they can cut emissions by up to 70.5% per year. 

You can even combine certain heat pumps with solar panels for an even greater reduction in carbon emissions.

• Superior energy efficiency

When we look at efficiency of a heat source, we compare the amount of energy used to the amount of heat energy produced. A typical gas boiler is less than 100% efficient, meaning the gas energy used is more than the heat energy emitted. 

On the other hand, heat pumps are typically 300% efficient, producing heat energy that is three times the electrical energy used. They can even be more efficient, with our Logic Air heat pump performing at 525% efficiency in lab-tested conditions. This is lower in actual practice, but is still impressively high.This efficiency means that your home’s carbon emissions are reduced even further due to the low amount of electricity that your heat pump requires. 

Another factor to consider in heat pump efficiency is SCOP, which stands for ‘seasonal coefficient of performance’. While heat pump efficiency can drop somewhat in particularly cold weather, it remains higher than a boiler's. The SCOP gives you the average efficiency over the full year.

Our guide to heat pumps and cold weather will help you learn more about how your heat pump will perform in winter. 

• Low maintenance

Another advantage of air-source heat pumps is their low maintenance. Simply ensure they aren’t obstructed, clean them occasionally, and have them serviced by a professional engineer annually to keep them in tip-top condition. Heat pumps also have a lifespan of 15 years, meaning you’re not likely to have to worry about replacing yours for a while. 

You can see our advice on what to expect from a heat pump service to understand more about what this entails.

• Grant eligibility

Another appealing aspect of heat pumps is that they are eligible for grants and schemes that lower the installation cost significantly. 

The government’s boiler upgrade scheme can shave £7,500 off the cost of your heat pump, among other efficient home upgrades. This scheme is only in place until 2028 and is available to a maximum of 90,000 homes, so act fast.

The boiler upgrade scheme isn’t the only financial support available for buying a heat pump. Multiple banks offer special green home mortgages and the ECO Energy Efficient Scheme is in place to tackle fuel poverty. 

• Beat the crowds

Are heat pumps just a phase? Absolutely not! Heat pumps are projected to grow in popularity over the next decade, with the government aiming to see 600,00 installed per year by 2028 and 1.9 million installed by 2035. As heat pumps become more commonplace, they may become a key selling point when selling a home. Potential buyers will be keen to have all the benefits, perhaps without having to install one themselves - particularly if the boiler upgrade scheme has ended. 

The Ideal Choice for the Future

While weighing the pros and cons of air source heat pumps is important, the advantages, in terms of efficiency, cost savings, and environmental impact, are clear and compelling. 

Potential disadvantages can be readily addressed through government grants and proper home insulation. For most UK homeowners, a heat pump is a responsible, forward-thinking, and financially sound investment. For more information, read our heat pump costs explained advice.

At Ideal Heating, we provide the technology you can trust. Our range of heat pumps is designed for reliability and performance, backed by our century of engineering expertise. To take the next step with confidence, expert local installer or contact us with any questions.