Are Air Source Heat Pumps a Viable Alternative to Gas Boilers?

Like a gas boiler, a heat pump is a system that provides hot water from the sink and central heating to your home, so you might be considering switching to this newer technology. However, it is not always clear what heat pumps are, and the benefits that they come with. So, in this article, we’ll break down the differences between heat pumps and gas boilers and discuss the viability of using a heat pump as a replacement to your current boiler.

What Is a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps are systems designed to pump heat from one location to another to warm your home. There are two main types of heat pumps: an air source, which extracts the heat from the air outside of your property and pumps it inside, and a ground source, which uses the heat from underneath your home by absorbing it and pumping it in through the system. This technology is a far cry from that of traditional gas boilers, which work by burning carbon-based fuels for heat.

Benefits of Using a Heat Pump as an Alternative to a Boiler

If you’re environmentally conscious, then using a heat pump as an alternative to a boiler might be the best move for you. Unlike boilers, which produce a large majority of the UK’s carbon emissions (around 15% of which come from home heating), heat pumps are low carbon and pose a far lower risk to the environment.

Thanks to their higher energy efficiency, both ground and air source heat pumps will be cheaper to run than a gas boiler, so long as they have been properly installed by a professional fitter, which means that although the initial install costs may seem higher, they’re a great choice to save money over the long term.

What’s more, there are also some great incentives for switching to a heat pump, with the UK government offering a range of grants for property owners to install new low carbon heating systems as part of their Boiler Upgrade Scheme. If you choose an air source heat pump, you may be eligible for up to £5,000 off the cost, and if you go for a ground source heat pump this discount increases to £6,000 off, so there’s never been a better time to make the change.

How to Get a Heat Pump

Installing a heat pump might seem like a complex process, but if you choose a reputable, reliable supplier for your system, you will find the process to be straightforward and worthwhile. You can also work with a supplier to find high quality products that can complement your new system. For instance, some heat pumps from BPC come with technology that can be integrated with your smartphone, so it’s worth looking at the different options you have when searching for the right heat pump supplier.

Although switching to a heat pump is a decision that you’ll need to put some thought into, it’s definitely worth making the change – heat pumps are a cost-effective way to heat your home while doing your bit to help the environment, and as long as you choose a reputable supplier, then you’ll find the installation of your new system to be a great choice even in your dorm room.

Caleb Anderson

Caleb Anderson, with a Master’s in Sustainable Development from Harvard University, has been at the forefront of green home innovation for over 20 years. His experience includes working with eco-friendly construction firms and renewable energy startups. Before turning to writing in 2015, he worked in various environmental NGOs. Since joining our team in 2021, Caleb has shared his expertise on sustainable living. He is an active member of his local community garden and enjoys woodworking.

Leave a Comment