Air source heat pumps are 300% more efficient than a fossil fuel boiler and they can last up to 20 years – so why doesn’t every home have one? There have been tons of myths about heat pumps passed around over the years and most of these simply aren’t true. The advantages of investing in a heat pump massively outweigh any disadvantages that you may experience.
Here, we plan on debunking some of those heat pump myths.
They are too noisy
Have you heard that air source heat pumps are too noisy to have in your home? This is a common misconception and actually refers to some of the older models that people have had in the past. These days, you’ll find that most heat pumps have been created with noise reduction technology which makes the noise more similar to what you’d hear from your fridge and as the units are situated outside, can actually quieter than having a boiler internally.
They are too expensive
You might avoid switching to a heat pump because of the cost implications but how much does a heat pump really cost? The truth is, they will cost you a bit more than oil or gas to switch and install. However the running costs are lower over the years and are typically built to last 20 years in comparison to 10 years for a boiler. That’s not all – you can also benefit from the funding just for switching. So it is important to look at total expenditure over 5 or 10 years to make proper comparison.
They won’t work in the winter
Here in Scotland, the winters are quite tough, and the weather requires us to keep our heat on most of the time. One of the common myths about heat pumps is that they don’t work or are at least less efficient in the winter. While this is true, it is still far more efficient than a boiler system which works about 60-90% efficiency and as they are designed to work down to temperatures of -25 degrees, they still function very well in the colder weather.
They take up too much space
Another myth that you might have head about heat pumps is that they take up too much space. Yes, there is an external unit that you need to have on your property, but these can also be hidden or put in more suitable place. A lot of oil boilers are already located externally so swapping wouldn’t be any different. You’ll find that the distribution network in your home is similar to what you’ll already have in place.
They require a lot of maintenance
When you invest in a heat pump system for your home, you’ll find that there is very little maintenance required, despite what you may have heard before. The idea that heat pumps require a lot of maintenance is something that has been talked about a lot, but this simply is not true. You may have heard the comparison to a working like a fridge in reverse? How often do you change your fridge due to breakdown as opposed to shiny new ice makers or integrated into a new kitchen? Compare this to a boiler which has combustion of a fossil fuel, you can see why more things can go wrong and need repair. Additionally, you can expect your heat pump to last between 15 and 20 years so you won’t need to worry about replacing it any time soon.
Switch to a more efficient option
Now that we have debunked some of these common myths that you might have heard, you should really consider making the switch to a heat pump system. Not only will you benefit from a more efficient system, but you’ll also reduce your carbon footprint over time.
If you are thinking about installing this kind of unit or you want to know how much you could save with the RHI, don’t hesitate to get in touch. The CMS Surveyors team will always be happy to help.