Heat Pumps

Heat pumps will play a large role in reducing energy needs for heating our homes.  They have lower carbon dioxide emissions, because only around one third of their energy requirements come from the electricity grid. The government has said the installation of gas boilers is to be banned in all new homes.  This will also result in the replacement and phasing out of many existing gas boilers.
We have developed this webpage for our members to obtain details of how heat pumps work, their costs & benefits and to share experience of installing and running heat pumps in our homes. Do let us know if you have any questions or would like to discuss any aspects of this technology.  Contact us via heatpumps@climateactionilkley.org.uk

Heat Pump Advice from My Home Farm

Here is some practical advice about heat pump installation from a couple who renovated a farm house.

https://myhomefarm.co.uk/category/sustainability

And this is their brand-new website for heat pumps in particular so that discussions can happen:-
https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/

Heat Pump Talk

In this video one of our members explains why she chose an air source heat pump to replace her ageing boiler and describes the process of getting it installed.

Cost of Heat Pumps v Replacement Gas Boiler

The economics for the end-user boils down to the upfront cost of the heat pump vs. a replacement oil or gas boiler, plus the running costs.

This report takes you through the arithmetic.

Heat Pump Arithmetic

Energy Savings Trust

The Energy Saving Trust has some very helpful advice about heat pumps, please see: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/air-source-heat-pumps/

Do you know anyone with a heat pump?

If you do we would be interested in hearing from them.
Heating our houses accounts for around 20% of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK.  Gas heating for new houses is to be banned by 2025, and existing homes will need to be much better insulated and heated by lower carbon systems.  Heat pumps are likely to play a major role in this programme.  CAI is finding out how this can be done, with information and meetings with accredited heat pump design & install companies.  We are setting up a user group to find out what needs to be considered when thinking about installing heat pumps including: what are the different types, how do they work, what are their costs and benefits.  We also would like to hear from those who have already had a heat pump installed, with details of type, installers, how they have performed.  Let us know by contacting heatpumps@climateactionilkley.org.uk     

Advice from a Heat Pump Owner

A friend of one of our members describes his experience of a heat pump:-

  • His system (an air source pump) was supplied 10 years ago by a company called Nu-Heat when he was virtually rebuilding the house.  It provides underfloor heating plus hot water.  They have a service agreement and have never had any problems with the system, which heats the house adequately to an outside temperature of -7.  They have an immersion heater for back up if the temperature drops below -7 but have never needed to use it.  In the summer, they switch the underfloor heating off so it only provided heating for the hot water.   
  • They have a 300L water tank, heated by a water jacket from the heat pump so you need space for this.
  • With their significantly out-of-date pump, they get 4K of energy for every 1K that goes in.
  • As the pump has to run all night it may be important to find an electricity provider who offers a cheap price for off-peak electricity.  They are with Octopus.
  • His main advice was to find a reliable company.  His son, who lives in Denholme, has researched companies with a view to having a system installed, and he has chosen a company called Peak Power.
  • As was said in the meeting, the first step is to get the house well-insulated and you will also may need larger radiators.
  • He added that the technology has made considerable progress since they had their system installed – so they can now be considered for radiator systems as well as underfloor heating.