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Common concerns on heat pump expense and which options are best
There are plenty of myths in the media about heat pumps: they’re noisy, they don’t work, people aren’t buying them and they’re too expensive. In fact, heat pumps are already widely used in Europe and are a highly efficient way to keep your home warm. Luke Sartain, chief executive of SpotDif, offers his views
I
ndeed, heat pumps can last twice as long as boilers due to their 20-year lifespan. And they’re the most popular form of heating in Norway,
where they’re used to tackling temperatures below -20C.
In this article we will be tackling myths about
the costs of heat pumps. The government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme is applicable to anyone who owns a building – whether you’re a business owner looking to install one in an office, a landlord looking to install one in a rental property, or a homeowner needing an upgrade. To be eligible, you must now: own the property;
have installed a new heating system or be planning to; and be replacing a fossil fuel heating system (oil, gas or electric) With the grant, you could get £7,500 off an
air source heat pump or towards sourcing and installing a ground source heat pump. The cost of air source heat pumps can vary
from £5,000 to £18,000 when fully installed. The cost of a ground source heat pump increases to £13,000–£49,000 based on whether trenches or a borehole are required. Prices also differ based on other factors such as the size and age of the building.
Depending on its technology, heat pumps may have a 15–25 year lifespan. Your system might,
Left: Luke Sartain, chief executive of SpotDif
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however, survive up to 50 years with routine maintenance, offering a great return on your investment. There are also conversations around heat pumps being more expensive than gas to run. In warm months, heat pumps are cheaper to run than a gas boiler, but in cold months they are more expensive.
It is true that while a heat pump can be over 400% efficient when the outside temperature is over 7°C, its efficiency steadily decreases as the temperature drops whereas a gas boiler is approximately 98% efficient all the time, making it a cheaper choice during the winter months. The cost of gas likely will continue to grow more
quickly than electricity prices, so investing in a heat pump now could help you future-proof your heating system and guard against price hikes down the road.
To mitigate concerns about the cost of installation, installer SolumGB offers homeowners and businesses complimentary consultancy to understand air source heat pumps, and importantly offer no obligation quotes so customers can make an informed choice in their own time. SolumGB’s award winning service also offer a 28 day price match guarantee and can recommend certain models that match their contractors’ expertise. As for models, the Samsung ‘EHS Mono HT Quiet’ air
source heat pump is ideal for domestic and residential property upgrades. It consistently provides hot water up to 70°C, has a ‘quiet mode’ and is designed for easy outdoor installation and maintenance. All these work to keep resident’s heating and maintenance bills as low as possible. Stiebel Eltron’s ground source heat pump can take
your water temperature a touch higher to 75°C. This model has an included buffer cylinder to improve reliability. While it is a more premium price, Stiebel Eltron have been in the heating business since 1924 and have the historic expertise to take care of their customers. Whatever your budget and priorities, there will be a heat pump that works for you. For help choosing a heat pump that works for your building, SpotDif will compare suppliers and installers from across the UK.
38 June 2024
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Photo: Welcomia
Photo: Fokkebok
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