Are heat pumps more hassle than they’re worth?

The Great Green Challenge on Tour: Episode 3 – heat pumps

“Are heat pumps more hassle than they’re worth?”

It’s a question I’ve been asked a few times.

And it’s a worry that seems to be felt by many – in fact, 62% of people from our research believe that installing a heat pump would involve major changes to their home and come at a significant cost¹.

Installing a heat pump may require upgrades to your home to tackle heat loss and insulation issues. That’s because heat pumps run at a steady lower temperature, and if heat escapes, a heat pump needs to work harder to keep your home warm.

For many people, the prep work involved in installing a heat pump is worth it to heat their home in a greener, more cost-effective way. I wanted to get a real-life example, so as part of The Great Green Challenge on Tour, I set out to Herefordshire to meet Andrew, a ScottishPower customer with a heat pump.

A trip to Marden to visit ScottishPower customer, Andrew

I met Andrew and his partner Sue in Marden, a large village in Herefordshire. Andrew and Sue live in a two-bedroom bungalow which they bought 17 years ago. A big drive for the couple has always been to make their Herefordshire home as energy efficient as possible.

As we chatted, Andrew’s passion for sustainability and concern about the future was clear. And when it came to installing a heat pump, Andrew was able to follow his heart and his head.

The cost of firewood needed to heat their home with a wood burner was one factor. A desire to use cleaner energy and make the shift away from gas was another. And perhaps most importantly, they wanted to help create a better future for their children and grandchildren.

Installing a heat pump felt like the natural next step.

So, is getting your home heat-pump-ready a hassle?

While every home is different, the truth is that your home may need a few upgrades before it’s heat-pump-ready. But for many people, the upgrades are worth it for the long term benefits a heat pump can bring.

And, as these upgrades improve a home’s energy efficiency, they’re steps you may want to consider taking anyway.

Things you’ll need to consider are:

Across England, Wales and Scotland, heat pump installs are generally classed as ‘permitted developments’, but it’s always worth checking with your local planning office, especially if you live in a conservation area. In most cases, you shouldn’t need planning permission to install one.

What ‘heat-pump-ready’ means in real life

For Andrew, getting his home heat-pump ready didn’t involve making significant changes all at once. Instead, he has been steadily making his home more energy efficient over the 17 years since buying his home.

In that time, he’s added:

He also insulated the roof of his conservatory, which was a big source of heat loss in their house.

Thanks to these upgrades, Andrew’s home was heat-pump ready. We’ve got more information on our blog about how you can make sure your home is heat pump-ready.

What surprised me about noise, comfort and upkeep

Myths around heat pumps are out there, with some people assuming they’ll be noisy, need lots of maintenance and struggle to keep a home warm enough.

But real homes with real heat pumps in action, like Andrew’s, tell a different story.

I was struck by how quiet a heat pump is – no louder than your average refrigerator. And Andrew was impressed by the comfortable temperature his heat pump maintained.

As for upkeep? Andrew only has good things to say about his experience with ScottishPower, including the two-year servicing plan²included with the install.

Final takeaway

A house needs to be heat-pump-ready to make an install worthwhile. But as my trip to Herefordshire proved, this can involve taking energy-efficient steps over time. In Andrew’s case, getting his home heat-pump-ready involved adding cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, double glazing and insulating the roof of his conservatory.

And while these changes did require time and money, they created a more energy efficient home that Andrew will reap the benefits of for years to come.

For Andrew, the upgrades were worth it. He now has a cost-effective and greener way to heat his home.

Find out if your home is heat-pump ready here.