Replacing Your Gas Boiler with A Heat Pump: A Guide for UK Residents
If you're a UK resident considering replacing your gas boiler with a heat pump, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to make the transition. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of replacing your gas boiler with a heat pump, the cost of installation, and the importance of finding an approved MCS heat pump installer.
Environmental Benefits of Replacing Gas Boiler with Heat Pump
The first thing to consider when replacing your gas boiler with a heat pump is the environmental impact. In the UK, a heat pump indirectly produces around 1.6 tonnes of CO2 per year due to the mix of fossil fuels in the electricity grid.
As heat pumps operate exclusively on electricity, their environmental impact is closely tied to the cleanliness of the power grid. As the UK grows its renewable energy output, the use of heat pumps will indirectly lead to lower CO2 emissions. The good news is that the UK grid has roughly halved its CO2 production over the last 20 years due to the phase-out of coal. As a result, heat pumps have become a much cleaner alternative to traditional heating systems.
In comparison, a gas boiler produces about 2.2 tonnes of CO2 in the same period, while an oil boiler is even higher at around 5.3 tonnes. Gas boilers also contribute to air pollution, producing eight times as much nitrogen dioxide as the UK's gas power plants, which is an air pollutant linked to health complications.
Heat Pump Efficiency
A typical air source heat pump system can generate up to 3 units of heat energy for every 1 unit of electricity used. By comparison, a modern gas boiler can only achieve up to 0.9 units of heat energy for every 1 unit of gas used. This means that heat pumps require considerably less energy input to generate the same amount of heat output as a gas boiler.
It’s also worth noting that air source heat pumps produce a lower temperature output compared to traditional fossil fuel boilers. The maximum flow temperature of a heat pump is around 45°C. By comparison, gas boilers can maintain a temperature of 70°C. This means that heat pumps cannot provide heat as quickly as gas boilers, however, if used correctly, a well designed heat pump will be able to keep your home warm year round. Sometimes this involves upgrading to larger radiators or underfloor heating, however, this is not always the case.
To get the best out of your heat pump. homes should be adequately insulated and any unwanted draughts should be blocked to prevent heat escaping the property.
Cost of Installing a Heat Pump
Heat pump prices vary depending on several factors, including the size of your home, the type of heat pump you choose, and the complexity of the installation process. Air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps use similar technology, but their installation costs differ considerably.
The cost of installing an air source heat pump typically ranges from £8,000 to £15,000, while a ground source heat pump installation can cost between £17,000 and £25,000. The additional cost of a ground source heat pump installation comes from the external work required in the garden to install either slinkies or boreholes.
Other factors that affect the cost of installation for both types of heat pumps include the size of the house, whether it is a new or existing construction (new builds tend to be less expensive), the level of preparation work required, such as installing a new electricity supply from the fuse box to the heat pump location, and whether radiators need to be upgraded to increase the efficiency.
MCS heat pump installation
When it comes to installing a heat pump, it's important to find a reputable installer who is approved by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). An MCS accredited installer like Alto Energy will ensure that your heat pump is installed correctly and that it meets the necessary safety and quality standards.
Homeowners who purchase a heat pump through an MCS accredited installer also have the opportunity to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which is a grant that can save homeowners between £5,000 - £6,000 off the purchase price of a heat pump. If you purchase your heat pump through Alto Energy, we will apply for the grant on your behalf.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a Government grant that encourages home and business owners to replace their fossil fuel boil with a low carbon heating systems, like heat pumps. Find out the eligibility criteria here or get in touch with our team of heat pump experts to see if your project is eligible for the grant.
Get In Touch
Are you a homeowner considering replacing your fossil fuel heating system with a clean and efficient heat pump? Or are you a heating engineer looking to modernise your business and start offering heat pumps to your customers? If so, get in touch to find out how we could help.