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Energy at home

Heat pumps

Cut through the hot air

Heat pumps are an energy efficient, low carbon way to heat your home. They’re suitable for almost all types of home and, depending on what heating system you’re replacing, could save you money on your energy bills.

What is a heat pump?

A heat pump is a heating system that:

  • takes in heat energy from a colder area, usually outside
  • raises the temperature
  • moves the heat into your home

It uses electricity to do this. But it produces much more heat energy than it uses in electrical energy.

This makes heat pumps a more energy efficient way to heat your home than a traditional gas or oil boiler. It also produces far fewer carbon emissions than other heating systems.

Are heat pumps right for me?

Read our in-depth heat pump guide to find out:

  • how heat pumps work.
  • how much they usually cost to install and run.
  • what kind of heat pump might be right for you.

 

If you want to know more about the realities of installing and running a heat pump, read our case studies:

What kind of heat pump should I get?

There are two types of heat pump that are most common in the UK:

Which one is better suited to you largely depends on your budget and how much space you have.

Air source heat pumps tend to be the most common type installed.

For more information, look at our guides to each type of heat pump:

What financial support is available for heat pumps?

The support you can get depends on where in the UK you live:

I’m thinking about getting a heat pump. Where do I go next?

The best thing to do is to find out what heat pump system is right for you and speak to an installer for more tailored advice:

  • Use our online assessment tool, Go Renewable, to find out what renewable technologies, including heat pumps, are suitable for your home.
  • Speak to people who already own a heat pump and let them share their experience using Nesta’s visit a heat pump service.
  • Visit MCS to find a certified heat pump installer near you. We recommend you get at least three quotes to compare costs.

 

I already have a heat pump. What else can I do to get low carbon energy?

Here’s some advice on how to maximise your heat pump’s efficiency and other ways you can benefit from low carbon energy:

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Last updated: 19 April 2024