With a growing interest in heat pumps, many homeowners and businesses are wondering what the advantages and disadvantages of this form of home heating are.
In this guide, we’ll look at the pros and cons of heat pumps. We’ll also discuss their upfront costs, running costs, and other details you should know. Let’s dive in.
Heat Pumps: The Advantages
A heat pump comes with a high efficiency rating and is more renewables-leaning than a gas boiler. With a coefficient of performance or CoP of 3 to 5, air source and ground source heat pumps have the potential to cost less to run than gas boilers, though this will depend on the models in question.
Heat pumps generate more energy than is needed to run them. Electricity is used to power them, and this will be a mix of renewable and non-renewable power. As a result, heat pumps are not completely green but still come with lower carbon emissions than gas boilers.
That said, the electricity could be fully renewable and free if you have a solar panel setup that can be used to power a heat pump.
The average lifespan of a heat pump is 20 to 25 years, with the ground loop expected to last for 50+ years. This is compared to the decade or so that a gas boiler should last for.
Heat pumps are considered safer with less maintenance required as compared to a gas boiler. This is with heat pumps lacking the risk of a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning.
While heat pumps can be a worthy investment, their upfront cost is worth considering. On the plus side, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can reduce the installation cost by £7,500. The BUS is available for eligible homes in England and Wales. Other government supports may exist in different regions.
For further details, you can always contact your local council to explore potential government schemes in your area, whether it be the BUS or beyond.
Heat Pumps: Disadvantages
On the other hand, heat pumps have downsides such as the substantial upfront cost, with air source heat pumps priced around £8,000 to £13,000 and ground source heat pumps costing between £15,000 and £45,000 on average.
What’s more, there can be installation challenges. This is with ground source heat pumps being generally more difficult to install than air source heat pumps. This can include disruption and excavation work needed.
Notably, efficiency drops in the wintertime for air source heat pumps due to changes in outdoor temperatures. However, their ground source counterparts remain efficient throughout the year.
Another downside of heat pumps includes the possibility of higher running costs. Again, this will depend on the make and model of the heat pump in question. Heat pumps are also subject to electricity grid reliability.
Is a Heat Pump Worth It: Our Verdict
A heat pump can be worth it if you’re looking for a low-carbon and efficient alternative with the potential to prove more beneficial in running cost reductions over time, as well as a longer timespan before a replacement is needed.
With a high upfront cost, the potential value in investing in a heat pump will depend on your situation and budget. We’d advise carefully weighing up your options before making a decision.
