Heat Pump Installation - Things to Consider Before Buying

Here at iHeat we want to make sure our customers are fully informed on the intricacies of any topics related to home heating, especially topics that have garnered as much attention and produced as much misinformation as the gas boiler ‘ban’.

What Is The Gas Boiler ‘Ban’?

The supposed ‘ban’ on gas boilers was initially announced in 2019 with plans to take effect as of 2025. The ban aims to help the UK reach its goals of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 

Some misinformed public members have already needlessly replaced their gas boilers due to the nature of panic purchasing.

In reality, the following is actually TRUE when it comes to the ‘ban’ -

• The ‘ban’ actually states no new build properties can have a gas boiler installed past 2025

• It is still legal to buy and install gas boilers in any home currently and to continue to do so in older properties (anything that isn’t a new build) beyond the 2025 deadline

• There is no legal requirement, financial penalties or general onus to remove and replace your existing gas boiler before or after 2025

One of the main ‘myths’ produced from this heating hysteria is that you must replace an existing gas boiler with a device called a heat pump.

What Is An Air Source Heat Pump?

An air source heat pump is an appliance that transfers thermal energy from outside to heat a property; heat pumps work off a home’s refrigeration cycle.

While it’s acknowledged that heat pumps are efficient and could return potential savings in the long term, there are a few things you should consider first before committing to replacing your gas boiler with one!

Heat Pump Disadvantages

Expensive Unit And Installation Costs

Heat pumps and the expert installation requirements in terms of difficulty and time consumption can be very pricey, costing upward of £15,000 in some cases! This high upfront cost can be off-putting to many prospective buyers and would leave a large amount of money needing to be recouped through savings, which could take a very long time.

Require Expensive Running Fuel

Heat pumps run on electricity. While this is efficient and releases fewer emissions, electricity is the most expensive fuel on the market and can cost up to three times the price of gas (one of the most affordable fuel types).

Lower Heat Production

A heat pump generates a lower level of home heating, with a max output of around 55°C. In contrast, a modern, efficient combi boiler is in the range of 70°C-85°C. This lower temperature output may not be what a homeowner or their family is accustomed to and may not heat a home as well.

Operating Noise

Although quieter modern technology is always developing, current air source heat pumps give off some noise pollution; some people feel this could be distracting or off-putting.

Require A Certain Level Of Insulation

Not every UK property would be an ideal location to install a heat pump; this can be due to insufficient property insulation. without considerable insulation, the heat generated from a pump would be lost. Loft and cavity wall insulation can considerably bump up the heat pump installation's cost.

Less Efficient In The Cold

Some heat pumps can be less effective in colder areas; they can operate as low as -20°C, but if the outside temperature is below 0°C, they begin to lose efficiency. On some freezing winter days, a sub-optimal performance from your home’s main heating instrument would be less than ideal.

Regulations

Although many air source heat pumps do not require active planning permission, some regulations must be followed before installation. These include ensuring the installation is at least 1 metre away from the property boundary, is installed on a suitable surface, has a specific max volume and will be used for heating only.

Verdict

With these considerations, an air source heat pump may not be suitable or advantageous for every home. With no actual onus to replace your gas boiler or preventative measures to stop you from installing a new gas boiler, this may be the more viable option to provide satisfactory heating for your property.

Getting A New Boiler With iHeat

At iHeat we stock a massive range of powerful and sleek new boilers designed to save space and perform at the highest level. With sizes to fit any property, now might be the perfect time to replace an old boiler and upgrade. 

Get a free instant fixed price quote on our boiler range, with next day Gas Safe installation available, getting a new boiler has never been so easy.

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