£352 billion to convert UK homes to Heat Pumps

We simply must stop relying on gas for obvious reasons and some not so obvious.

Gas and oil give fantastic amounts of energy so it will be difficult to compare new sustainable methods against them but we have very little choice.
Heat pumps are the same as air con systems and good ones can act in both directions - heat when you need it and cooling when you need it. I think the problem will come when trying to integrate them into existing systems rather than installed in new builds. people will expect fast heating that they get from a combi or condensing boiler.
 
We simply must stop relying on gas for obvious reasons and some not so obvious.

Gas and oil give fantastic amounts of energy so it will be difficult to compare new sustainable methods against them but we have very little choice.
Heat pumps are the same as air con systems and good ones can act in both directions - heat when you need it and cooling when you need it. I think the problem will come when trying to integrate them into existing systems rather than installed in new builds. people will expect fast heating that they get from a combi or condensing boiler.
Gas will be the marginal fuel for 20,000,000 EV cars in the UK in ten years time.
 
I see the UK Government has launched a grant scheme to halve the cost of installing heat pumps in Homes starting next year. Cost won’t be the only concern. Practicality given their size will also be a factor.
 
It still don’t add up.

I was quoted over £14k for one last year. Opted for a boiler inc fitting at £2k that means you still need to find an additional £7k that will take some time to pay back. Assuming we have £7k sat about for such projects
 
Radio 4 story last nighy interviewed someone in South London who had a Air source heat pump fitted for £15,000 for his terraced house. For that all he got was the pump which was twice the size of air con unit and placed on internal wall. He also needed something in the garden too. He also needed a heater in the basement to give the house hot water as the water was warm not hot from the pump. He thought he had a bargain. He had to pay out the £15k up front, but said it was cheaper to run that the gas boilier and would save £700/year. He was lucky he had a lot of space and £15k in cash.
 
Surely solar panels are the way forward?
I've seen some new builds recently with them built into the roof tiles so they don't look out of place and less susceptible to damage from high winds etc.

I don't know if this is a rule or not yet but every new build home should have those solar panel roofs fitted.
 
Surely solar panels are the way forward?
I've seen some new builds recently with them built into the roof tiles so they don't look out of place and less susceptible to damage from high winds etc.

I don't know if this is a rule or not yet but every new build home should have those solar panel roofs fitted.
Couldn't agree more with this.

Even in this country: free electricity is free electricity.
 
Surely solar panels are the way forward?
I've seen some new builds recently with them built into the roof tiles so they don't look out of place and less susceptible to damage from high winds etc.

I don't know if this is a rule or not yet but every new build home should have those solar panel roofs fitted.
Absolutely can’t believe it’s not been a planning condition for the last ten years.
 
Radio 4 story last nighy interviewed someone in South London who had a Air source heat pump fitted for £15,000 for his terraced house. For that all he got was the pump which was twice the size of air con unit and placed on internal wall. He also needed something in the garden too. He also needed a heater in the basement to give the house hot water as the water was warm not hot from the pump. He thought he had a bargain. He had to pay out the £15k up front, but said it was cheaper to run that the gas boilier and would save £700/year. He was lucky he had a lot of space and £15k in cash.

That’s still over 20years payback, before you factor in inflation, services etc. What is the life span of one of those? All well and good but for the vast majority it had to be both financially viable and green.

Until you hit that sweet spot the vast majority will go with the cheaper option, that is familiar
 
Completely none viable, as I set out earlier in the thread.

£10k to £15k costs, even with the grant, to fully kit out an average house with something not as good as a gas combi is not going to convince people to go green.
 
Completely none viable, as I set out earlier in the thread.

£10k to £15k costs, even with the grant, to fully kit out an average house with something not as good as a gas combi is not going to convince people to go green.
agreed we need better financial incentives. Let's be brutally honest. We need to stop burning stuff. it's that simple
 
Even the Chief Executive of National Energy Action says categorically what we all know. £5000 grants are simply not enough. If they want people to be encouraged they will need to develop plans out significantly.

I believe this is a rushed out political statement to look good in Glasgow next week.
 
Of course no one has mentioned where all the new electricity will come from - the new pumps will be fighting new very large demand from EVs for our limited electricity supply.

I agree we must reduce our carbon output, but the policy now seems to eradicate carbon completely and worry about having major shortages of electricity in the future.
 
Of course no one has mentioned where all the new electricity will come from - the new pumps will be fighting new very large demand from EVs for our limited electricity supply.

I agree we must reduce our carbon output, but the policy now seems to eradicate carbon completely and worry about having major shortages of electricity in the future.
I think we have mentioned it: from sustainable sources. Solar, tidal, wind, hydrothermal etc…
 
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