An air source heat pump can be a great investment - it’s a highly efficient way of heating your home, helping you lower your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills in the long run.1 But when you decide to have a heat pump installed, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing one. Let’s take a look at each one in turn.
How does the climate affect your heat pump?
Air source heat pumps essentially work by taking the warmth from the air outside, converting it, then pumping the heat across your home. If you’re concerned that the UK climate might not provide enough warmth for heat pumps to work properly, then fear not. Heat pumps are designed to work efficiently across a range of temperatures and even when it’s chilly, there’s enough heat in the air outside for one to work inside.
During the winter months, the average temperature in the UK is between 2-7°C2, but heat pumps still work in temperatures as low as -20°C. In fact, there’s more heat pumps in colder countries like Norway and Finland than anywhere else in Europe3, so the relatively mild UK climate is just fine. Your heat pump will keep working nicely even when the temperature drops well below freezing. It's important, however, to prepare, inspect, and clean your heat pump more regularly in the winter. That’s because there’s a higher chance of dirt and debris getting caught in your heat pump when it’s wet and windy.
You may also want to look into a heat pump with a de-icing setting. This setting helps your heat pump detect when ice is building up - it then starts a ‘defrost mode’ to melt the ice and clear the coils so it can function properly. Many modern heat pumps come with this setting, which works automatically when the outdoor air temperature is particularly low. Generally speaking, you don't need to adjust the de-icing setting yourself, but some heat pumps offer the option to customise the length of your defrost cycle or temperature threshold for when it kicks in.
How does home size and insulation affect your heat pump?
Larger homes generally need heat pumps with a greater heating capacity, which makes up for the heat that gets lost when spread across a bigger area. The better insulated your home is, the more effective your heat pump will be, ensuring that the hot air that is pumped in doesn’t escape again.
When we install an air source heat pump, we’ll work out the size your heat pump needs to be in order to effectively heat your home. Heat pumps are sized by carrying out a ‘heat loss’ survey of your home. This works by measuring your rooms and assessing how much heat can be lost through your walls, roof space and floors. All our quotes for an air source heat pump include this survey, as well as all installation and labour costs. We’d always recommend that you book a professional consultation and installation for your heat pump. This helps to avoid accidentally choosing a heat pump that is too small for your home, which can mean that it doesn’t operate as efficiently and struggles to maintain a comfortable temperature.
To help keep your home at a suitable temperature around the clock, you can also choose a heat pump with a variable speed compressor. This is a type of compressor that can adjust its speed to meet the heating demands of your home, meaning it can run at different levels of power. This makes it more energy efficient compared to a traditional single-speed compressor, which only works at full capacity or nothing.
How do government regulations affect your heat pump choice?
When choosing an air source heat pump, you should bear in mind that the government recently announced a number of key updates on heat pump planning regulations. These changes will make heat pumps more accessible to more homeowners, and give them more choice when considering what kind of heat pump to buy. The policy changes are expected to come into effect mid-2025, and mean that:
The 1-metre rule is being scrapped. The current rule says an air source heat pump can’t be placed within 1 metre of a property’s boundary. Once this rule is scrapped4, it will create more flexibility for homeowners who want to install a heat pump.
Bigger heat pumps can be installed without planning permission. Under the current regulations, if the size of your heat pump exceeds 0.6m3, you would need to get planning permission before a unit can be installed. However, the Government has now said you will be able to install a heat pump up to 1.5m3 without prior approval.4
Two heat pumps will be allowed for detached homes. In some cases, larger properties might not be suitably heated using a single heat pump. The Government’s rule change means detached homes can install two heat pumps without seeking planning permission4, making it easier to meet the heating demand of the property.
How does your budget affect your heat pump decision?
While air source heat pumps can be a great investment that helps to lower your energy bills in the long run, it’s important to make sure you can afford the upfront initial cost. Thanks to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you can apply for a £7,500 grant to replace your gas boiler with a heat pump. This makes heat pumps a more affordable option and an increasingly popular choice by the public.
We’re also here to help make your heat pump fit within your budget. We have a 2 year 0% APR finance plan, which means you’ll be able to get your heat pump fitted at very little cost upfront. If you’re already an E.ON Next customer, you can get an additional £350 discount when you purchase a heat pump with us. And once you get a heat pump installed, you can save even more with Next Pumped, our dedicated tariff for homes with heat pumps. This fixed 12-month tariff gives you two periods every day where you pay less for your electricity, saving you up to £287 per year.6
What are the benefits of heat pumps?
Of course, once you’ve considered these factors and decided which heat pump to buy, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits. Heat pumps are around 3 to 4 times more efficient than gas boilers or direct electric heating, helping you to cut the cost of your energy bills in the long term.5 These annual cost savings depend on several factors, including the size of your property, your current EPC rating, and how you currently heat your home.
The higher energy efficiency of heat pumps also means that fewer greenhouse gases are generated when you switch to an air source heat pump. This is even more significant if you swap from heating your home using a fossil fuel like natural gas or oil to an electricity tariff that only uses renewable generation. By embracing heat pump technology, every home can play their part in lowering pollution and building a more sustainable future.
While there are different factors to consider when getting an air source heat pump, we’re here to help you navigate them and make the right choice. Book a consultation with us today.