17.1 million heat pumps need to be installed to hit Clime Change Committees target

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has told the UK government that 50% of all homes need to be heated by a heat pump by 2040. In light of this news, epIMS, the EPC and energy efficiency platform developed for landlords, has issued important advice and tips that will help homeowners and landlords reach an informed decision and ensure their heat pump delivers the desired results.

The Seventh Carbon Budget report from the CCC states that around 1% of UK homes currently have a heat pump.  Based on a total dwelling stock of 30.4m homes*, this means an estimated 304,100 properties already have one installed.

By 2040, epIMS has estimated that UK dwelling stock will total almost 34.9m homes, a forecast based on the past 40 years of dwelling stock increases*. So if the CCC’s target is achieved, it will mean roughly 17.4m homes have a heat pump.

As such, around 17.1m heat pumps need to be installed over the next 15 years..

However, air source heat pumps are expensive. Today, the average installation cost is estimated to be £10,900*, and even by 2040 when the technology will have become more affordable, it is still forecast to cost £8,860.

As such, homeowners and landlords need to have a good understanding of exactly how a heat pump will impact the energy efficiency of their property, and the additional measures they may need to take in order to allow for the best possible results.

Therefore, epIMS has issued some important advice and expert tips for anyone who is considering installing a heat pump.

To get the maximum benefit from a heat pump it is important that you insulate your property as much as is practicable, to ensure that the heat pump can work most effectively and efficiently.

Tip:  You might be eligible for funding from the Great British Insulation Scheme to support the assessment of your property’s current performance and how best to improve it.

In older homes with imperfect insulation, you might want to consider increasing the number of radiators in the home because this can reduce the workload placed on your heat pump and therefore reduce fuel bills.

Tip: Before proceeding with a heat pump installation, consult with your installer to see if you need to increase the heating surface area of your home by adding more radiators.

With a heat pump, maximum efficiency comes from maintaining a steady heating level rather than turning it up and down frequently.

Tip: Change your heating habits so that you’re maintaining steady radiator levels. Don’t worry if radiators don’t feel very hot—they will still effectively heat the room if left on for sufficient time.

A heat pump can be programmed to operate in accordance to your personal heating preferences.

Tip: Don’t hesitate to ensure that your installer has implemented settings that are appropriate to your needs before they sign off the system.

Improper usage is the cause of most heat pump performance issues, resulting in high electricity bills and risk of equipment failure.

Tip: Do not try to use a heat pump as if it were a gas boiler because the two things work in very different ways. When your pump is installed, make time to familiarise yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The size of an air source heat pump must match the size and requirements of your property – they’re not a one size fits all solution.

Tip: When being quoted for a pump, make sure you question the variations in size and specification so that it matches your home and requirements.

The way that EPC scores are currently calculated might result in your new heat pump actually negatively impacting your EPC rating. But that doesn’t mean your energy efficiency has been made worse.

Tip: The government is proposing to amend the way EPCs are calculated, so in the near future you should be able to clearly see the positive impact your heat pump is having and your EPC rating will improve accordingly.

There is overwhelming anecdotal evidence that people who install a heat pump are pleased with the results it delivers on their bills and overall energy efficiency.

Tip: When considering a heat pump, take time to research real user reviews and feedback as well as advice issued by the government or heat pump providers.

COO of epIMS, Craig Cooper, said, “Heat pumps are being lauded as a leading way to reduce energy consumption because they work by transferring heat from the surrounding environment rather than generating it. This makes them far more resourceful than a typical gas boiler. But they’re also far more expensive to install than a boiler, so it’s really important to understand how they work before committing to the investment.

If you’re searching for short-term gains, you should also consider how else you can improve your efficiency because there may be good solutions available to you at a fraction of the cost of a heat pump.

This advice applies to landlords in particular. The government is planning to implement a 2030 deadline for private rented properties to have a minimum EPC rating of C. Landlords who want to continue renting their properties beyond this point must now take steps to bring their portfolio up to standard. And while heat pumps may be a good long-term solution for improving energy efficiency, the initial investment cost will mean they’re simply not a viable option right now.

Instead, landlords can make efforts to understand exactly where their properties are currently falling short and what the most practical and cost effective solutions available to them are in order to be able to continue generating rental income beyond 2030, after which they will have ten years in which to prepare for a heat pump installation and still meet the CCC’s recommended 2040 deadline.”