How Norway made heat pumps financially appealing to property owners
Norway stands as a shining example of widespread heat pump adoption, with nearly two-thirds of households harnessing the technology for heating. However, many European countries, including the UK, have yet to embrace Norway's blueprint for sustainable heating.
In response to the 1973 oil crisis, Norway proactively shifted away from fossil fuels, encouraging the population to adopt heat pumps by imposing taxes on carbon emissions from fossil heating fuels. This move made heat pumps not just affordable but financially appealing. Moreover, Norway invested significantly in training their workforce to install heat pumps, fostering customer satisfaction and positive reviews, which further increased the adoption of the technology.
A recent Guardian article featured insights from Norwegian residents on their experiences with heat pumps. Climate Scientist Glen Peters, who is originally from Australia and now resides in Norway, shared his perspective:
"When I was a kid, we either sweated like pigs in summer or froze to death in winter. Norway is very different and quite luxurious in the sense that in the middle of winter you can just walk around in your T-shirt and it’s 20°C plus degrees in your house."
This narrative differs from what we hear in the UK, where heat pump sales ranked lowest in Europe last year. Misconceptions and anti-heat pump campaigns, often influenced by gas lobby groups, persist, spreading myths about inefficiency and cold weather breakdowns. However, studies show that in moderately cold climates, heat pumps remain highly efficient.
Kent Eilertsen, a maintenance engineer overseeing heat pumps in Tromsø's postal terminal, backs the technology’s reliability in harsh conditions:
"It works very well in the cold. The devices can become less efficient when temperatures drop below -15C, but new versions still run at -20°C or -25°C.”
In the UK, the average temperature during winter is between 2°C and 7°C degrees, which is considerably warmer than Tromsø, which averages temperatures between 0°C and -5°C over the same period,
In moderately cold climates, air source heat pumps produce 2 to 3 times more heat than the energy they consume. Even in freezing temperatures, this ratio only dips below 2, outperforming traditional heating systems like gas or oil boilers.
Sweden and Finland also rank in the top 3 for the most heat pump installations per 1,000 people, showcasing that transitioning to heat pumps can be both viable and environmentally responsible. So the question arises: if the Nordic countries have been able to implement such changes in colder climates, why can't the UK? Is it a matter of political will, lack of awareness, or the absence of strong policies to promote heat pumps?
One thing is for certain, it is imperative that plumbers and heating engineers receive specialised training to ensure high-quality heat pump installations. Poorly installed heat pumps not only result in inefficient heating and increased energy consumption but have also contributed to the negative perception of the technology among UK consumers.
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