For Greater Manchester to meet its carbon emissions target by 2038 we need to start making the transition on how we heat our homes and buildings from gas to electricity. Heating homes account for one third of our carbon emissions. The majority of homes in Greater Manchester are heated by gas. A greener solution is to use electricity. Electricity has lower carbon emissions, as more and more sources of renewable energy are being used to generate the electricity we use.

Heat pumps are the most efficient way to generate heat from electricity; they have an important role to play in the transition to net zero, particularly in the residential sector where traditionally their market penetration has been low in the UK, although they are common in other countries.

When looking at new build it may be worth considering the option of ground source heat pumps, at a new build stage this can be a cost effective option as it can be worked into the build costs.

Heat pumps, air source or ground source, are relatively unknown by the British public, a central government survey (conducted by BEIS) in 2018 showed that only 27% of people were aware of heat pumps. This lack of awareness has contributed to common myths about Air Source Heat Pumps which have undergone significant improvements over recent years, here are some of the more common myths:

• Myth 1: “Can Heat Pumps only be installed in new build?”

No. Heat pumps can be installed into any property type and can be fitted into older buildings that are traditionally considered harder to heat.

Heat Pump Installers will consider the property, its occupants and lifestyles, to find the right heat pump system for you. Considering other factors may help you get the desired end results of an effective, efficient and low carbon heating system. These can include insulation upgrades, changes to radiators and pipework, positioning the heat pump outside your property, hot water cylinder or a particular type of heat pump set-up.

• Myth 2: “Are Heat Pumps only to be used for heating rooms and not water?”

The most common type of heat pump in the UK is an air-to-water heat pump. They absorb heat from the outside air and transfer this heat to water. The system distributes heat via a wet central heating system so providing heat to radiators, or underfloor heating, as well as to a cylinder for hot water.

Heat pumps are more efficient when the radiator temperatures are lower. The radiators or underfloor will be correctly sized and designed so that you will be warm and comfortable even in winter.

• Myth 3: “Do you need underfloor heating for air source heat pumps to work?”

No. While Underfloor heating can be a more efficient way to heat a house or building, radiators can be extremely efficient in giving out heat over a long period at lower temperature settings provided that they are correctly sized.

• Myth 4: “Do Air Source Heat Pumps only work when its warm outside?”

No. Like any heating system when it is cold, air source heat pumps will need to be on for longer to keep a house warm. How long depends on a number of factors, including how well insulated your home is. Air source heat pumps can still effectively extract heat from the air and keep your house warm even when temperatures drop to as low as -15°C. Some manufactures in recent years have made air source heat pumps that work at -25°C.

• Myth 5: “Do Heat pumps require more maintenance than boilers?”

No. Heat pumps require a similar level of maintenance as gas boilers. Many heat pump manufacturers provide a seven year warranty if the unit is serviced regularly. Similar to boilers, heat pumps should be serviced annually to ensure they are working efficiently and to extend the lifetime of the system. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a well-maintained and well-operated heat pump can function for 15-20 years or more. Ground-source heat pumps should last longer because they are not exposed to the elements. This compares favourably with the lifecycle for gas boilers at 8-12 years and contributes to reducing the total cost of ownership.

• Myth 6: “Is planning permission required for all heat pump installs?”

No. Installation of a single heat pump at a domestic property such as a house, or a block of flats, is usually classed as permitted development (as long as certain conditions are met) and so does not require planning permission. There are some exceptions to this e.g. if the land is in a conservation area (The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (legislation.gov.uk). Planning Permission is required for non-domestic installations.

• Myth 7: “Are Heat Pumps big and ugly?”

No ugly ducklings here. The largest part of an air source heat pump system is normally installed outside the property, so it will not take up much space inside. The external units of air source heat pumps are a similar size to the external unit of conventional air conditioning systems, commonly seen outside offices. The units can be coloured or camouflaged with different types of cover (provided that air flow is maintained) to match the exterior of a property. Inside the house, the units heat distribution system is not much different from the one used in fossil fuel heating systems.

The external unit requires some space around it to obtain a good flow of air. “Split” systems are connected to an internal unit which is often smaller than an average boiler. A heat pump usually requires a hot water cylinder but if there is not enough space for one, a heat battery can be considered instead (it does the same job as a hot water cylinder, but can be up to 75% smaller).

• Myth 8: “Do you need a well-insulated house to install a heat pump?”

No. A heat pump can be installed in any property. However to make it affordable to keep your home warm you will need a certain level of insulation. The better the insulation the smaller the heat pump you will need to heat your home and the lower your energy bills will be. In some situations, access to government financial incentives maybe limited to the most inefficient homes.

• Myth 9: “Are Heat Pumps expensive to install and run?”

Air source heat pump systems are not much more expensive to install than a fossil fuel system, but will cost more than merely replacing a boiler. According to the Heat Pump Federation, a fully commissioned air source heat pump system can cost between £6,000 to £10,000*. There may be additional expenditure to upgrade the existing heating system if some of the radiators are too small. If your heating distribution system i.e. the radiators, pipework, underfloor heating etc., have been properly sized for a condensing boiler to operate in condensing mode, then it is likely that no upgrades will be required.

The price of air source heat pump systems are falling and with the government grants introduced in April 2022 are comparable with installing a fossil fuel system. Going ‘all electric’ will also remove the standing charge for gas. This saving may vary between £36 and £290 a year*. Check your local council website for any financial incentives that may be available to help you towards the cost of installation. There is also the recently announced national heat pump fund, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, where residents can receive £5,000 towards the cost of a heat pump install from April 2022-25.

Similar to any form of heating the cost of running an air source heat pump system will be dependent upon usage, how well insulated your home is and how warm you want it to be. The biggest potential for operating cost increases comes from how heat pumps are used by the individual rather than the technology itself. If used incorrectly they can be costly.

Your new heat pump system will come with all new warranties and more efficiency circulation pumps, etc. An air source heat pump, is 3 to 4 times more efficient than a gas boiler, potentially saving you money on heating bills as they give out a lot more heat than the electricity they use to run. While the Government is committed to moving energy taxes from electricity to gas, currently electricity is more expensive than gas. The higher heat pump efficiency means that the running costs often work out similar, and if an old and inefficient fossil fuel system is being replaced, bills could potentially reduce greatly.

The Energy Saving Trust estimate that replacing an old (G-rated) gas boiler with an air source heat pump, could save a resident up to £375 a year on their heating bills (based on an average sized, four-bedroom detached house).

The UK presently applies a reduced VAT rate of 5% to the installation of air source and ground source heat pumps in domestic accommodation.

*Please note these figures are only estimations.

• Myth 10: “Are Air Source Heat Pumps loud?”

No. The technology has advanced considerably, and modern heat pumps are not as noisy as when they first came out in the market and if installed correctly they are no louder than a fridge or a traditional boiler flue.