Heat pumps are clever machines that move heat. Moving heat uses much less energy than getting heat from fuel (oil or gas). Even on a cold day there is heat in the outside air or under the ground. Heat pumps take this heat and move it to where it is needed. They are similar to air conditioners in summer that take heat from a hot room and push it outside so that the room cools.

The best thing about heat pumps is that they are often powered by electricity. This means we don’t use fossil fuels, especially when we buy renewable electricity. And because it is much more efficient to move heat than it is to burn fuel, we can reduce the total energy needed when have a heat pump.

Heat pumps for homes often use even less energy when we run them differently to old heating systems. People find they work best with bigger radiators or underfloor heating which run all the time at a warm not hot setting. That way we get the same room temperature at a fraction of the cost and save lots of energy. Don’t forget to use insulation too to use even less energy.

How can we benefit from a heat pump?

We should look at replacing gas or oil central heating with a heat pump when the boiler needs replacing or if we are doing a new building project like an extension or a new build house.

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