• RHPP for Heat Pumps
• Heat Pump Maintenance
• Heat Pumps Explained
• Heat Pumps Savings
• Is my Property Suitable?
• Types of Heat Pumps
  • Ground Source
  • Air Source
  • Water Source
• Next Steps

Your savings will depend on the system you use now and the heat pump system that you are replacing it with, in addition your savings could be affected by

Your Heat Distribution System
Underfloor heating tends to be more efficient than radiators because the water doesn’t need to be so hot. Where underfloor heating is not feasible you should use the largest radiators you can that are suitable for a heat pump system.

Current Fuel Costs
Heat pumps are powered by electricity so you will still need to pay fuel bills but you will save on the fuel you are replacing, so the more expensive the current fuel the greater the saving.

The Age of your Existing Heating System
The older the current system the more likely you are to see greater savings from a heat pump installation.

Water Heating
If the heat pump is providing hot water then this could limit the overall efficiency. You might want to consider solar water heating to provide hot water in the summer and help keep your heat pump efficiency up.

Using the Controls
Get the most out of your system controls and learning how to heat the house efficiently will increase You will probably need to set the heating to come on for longer hours, but you might be able to set the thermostat lower and still feel comfortable.

Heat Pump Savings Example

These are the savings you might make every year when replacing an existing heating system in an average three-bedroom semi-detached home with a typical heat pump installation and a good installation (Energy Saving Trust)

A zero saving means it could cost you just as much to run the heat pump as the system you are replacing.

We've assumed average boiler efficiency for each fuel type; heat pumps produce more energy (as heat) than they use (as electricity), so their efficiency is more than 100%.

The figures assume a system efficiency of 220% for a typical installation and 300% for a good installation, based on the results of the Energy Saving Trust field trials.

System efficiency is the total useful heat provided in a year, divided by the electricity required to run the system, including fans, pumps and any direct electric heating. Figures assume that the heat pump system (including any direct electric heating input) provides all the space and water heating for the property.

Earnings

You may be able to receive payments for the heat you generate using a heat pump through the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) when available. In the meantime (from 1st August 2011) you can get help with the cost of a heat pump installation through the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme.