Should I Install a Heat Pump in My Home?

Heat pumps are an eco-conscious heating solution that more and more UK homeowners are adopting. In 2023, data from energy installation standards organisation MCS showed the UK had its best year for heat pump installations ever, with over 3,000 being installed per month in the first six months of the year. Plus, the government has a target for 600,000 to be installed annually by 2028.

But is a heat pump the right choice for you and your home? In this guide, we’ll cover the benefits of a heat pump, what sort of home is well suited to a heat pump and the types of heat pumps available to you. For more guidance, see our expert heat pump guide. 

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump takes air from outside of your home using a fan. This air then comes into contact with a refrigerant liquid with an incredibly low boiling point, meaning it can be heated by air that may not seem hot at all to us. 

Once in gas form the refrigerant is compressed to increase the energy and temperature even more, and this energy is then transferred to the water that will flow around the heating system. Meanwhile, the refrigerant turns back into a liquid, and the process begins again. 

Check out our comprehensive guide to learn more about what a heat pump is and how it works. 

What is the Difference Between a Heat Pump and Gas Boiler?

Whilst a heat pump uses heat from the outside air to heat your home, gas boilers generate heat by burning fossil fuels. This is very effective for heating your home quickly but results in a high number of carbon emissions. 

Our comparison guide on heat pumps and gas boilers can help you to understand the differences between the two further so that you can choose the right heating system for you. 

Why Install a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps are tried-and-tested devices with a number of valuable benefits. 

Heat Pumps are Eco-Friendly

Many people choose heat pumps for their environmental benefits. With a heat pump, you reduce your carbon footprint by switching from gas-based heating and instead using electricity to extract the natural heat of the air around you. 

This, and the fact that heat pumps are very efficient (400% versus around 90% in the case of conventional boilers), means they can shrink the carbon footprint of your home significantly. 

Heat Pumps are Available at a Decreased Cost

Recent increases to the government’s £450 million pound boiler upgrade scheme mean you can shave up to £7,500 off of the cost of your heat pump and installation. That’s provided your home isn’t a new build or social housing and has a valid energy performance certificate with no outstanding recommendations. 

On top of all this, you’ll enjoy 0% VAT on installation, reducing the cost further. 

Heat Pumps Future Proof Your Home

As the popularity of heat pumps in the UK increases, many buyers in the future will be looking for homes with heat pumps already installed. By installing a heat pump in your home now, you’ll likely be increasing the value of the property if and when you decide to sell. 

What are the Potential Issues with Installing a Heat Pump?

Along with the numerous benefits of heat pumps, there are also some potential drawbacks.

Heat Pumps Can Have High Upfront Costs

Right now, heat pumps can be expensive to buy and install - however, the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme reduces this cost significantly. 

Heat Pumps Can Require Planning Permission

Installing certain types of heat pump - typically ground source heat pumps - can require planning permission. However, with our air source heat pumps, planning is typically not required as our heat pumps aren’t especially large and are also very quiet, with our Alfea Excellia AI having a quiet noise level of 47 dB(A) and our Logic Air Heat Pump being Quiet Mark Approved. 

Ground Source Heat Pumps can be Difficult to Install

Certain types of heat pumps can be tougher to install than boilers. This is the case with ground source heat pumps, which require large amounts of pipework to be laid in the ground. Air source heat pumps, on the other hand, are much easier to install - similar to boilers.

At Ideal Heating, we’ve created the Logic Air Heat Pump to be as easy as a boiler to install. You can read more about how Logic Air has revolutionised heat pump installation in our blog. 

What Can I Expect From a Heat Pump Service? 

To keep your heat pump working perfectly, you will need an annual servicing, much like with a boiler. This will involve thoroughly inspecting your heat pump, cleaning, lubricating moving parts, checking refrigerant levels, testing the controls and thermostat, and evaluating your heat pump’s efficiency. 

See our guide on what to expect from a heat pump service for a more detailed explanation of the process. 

Is My Home Suitable for a Heat Pump?

With their wealth of advantages, it’s understandable that you’d be interested in installing a heat pump - but is your home suitable? 

Is Your Home Energy Efficient?

Heat pumps can work wonders in making your home energy efficient - but their effectiveness is often increased if other aspects of your home have been optimised for energy efficiency, too.

Since heat pumps are designed to keep rooms at a certain temperature rather than providing quick bursts of heat like a boiler, they work best when rooms are insulated well to lock heat in. This can be achieved with things like:

• Cavity wall insulation

• Draughtproof doors and windows

• Gap sealing around windows, doors and sockets

• Double glazing

If your home doesn’t have these features, it may be worth installing them before getting a heat pump. See our tips on improving the energy efficiency of your home for further advice. 

Does Your Home Have Enough Space?

Air-source heat pumps require a certain amount of space. The outdoor unit needs sufficient clearance from openings such as doors and windows, meaning they’re best suited to homes with a front or back garden or large outdoor wall space that can support the heat pump. 

You’ll also need space indoors for a hot water cylinder, indoor unit and control system.

What Kind of Radiators Does Your Home Have?

Low-temperature heat pumps are best suited to modern radiators and/or underfloor heating systems, both of which are more commonly found in new-build homes. However, older homes with traditional radiators can still use a heat pump.

What Kind of Heat Pump Should I Choose?

There are three main types of heat pumps: water, ground and air.

Water-source heat pumps require your property to be physically near a body of water that your pump can draw heat from and, as such, aren’t too common. 

A ground-source heat pump is slightly more common, drawing heat from the soil around your home. However, this type of heat pump requires your property to have a large outdoor space where the pipes needed for this type of heat pump will be laid horizontally or vertically in trenches. This groundwork often also significantly adds to the cost of your heat pump. 

In contrast, air-source heat pumps take up much less space and are easier to install, requiring an outdoor unit of similar size to an air conditioner and cylinder and control unit indoors.

At Ideal Heating, we offer a fantastic range of air-source heat pumps so that you can choose the pump that suits you and your home the best.

Logic Air Heat Pump

Our flagship Logic Air Heat Pump is compatible with both radiators and underfloor heating for however you heat your home. It’s a perfect choice for homes with limited space, as the monobloc design combines all the components, other than the hot water cylinder, into a single outdoor unit.

The Logic Air Heat Pump is Quiet Mark approved, meaning it’s one of the quietest systems available. The smart, weather-compensating controls mean it’s able to adjust its output to suit the current climate. Plus, it’s solar PV and smart control compatible for even greater eco-friendly efficiency. 

With the tips above, you should have all the information you need to decide on a heat pump for your home. Choose an efficient heat pump with Ideal Heating today then learn how to buy through an expert local installer.