Five Things I Have Learned from Installing Heat Pumps

Over the past decade, I've had the privilege of installing heat pumps for 100s of customers. My firm, Your Energy Your Way has grown from 2 of us to 12 and the journey has been both challenging and rewarding. Here are five key lessons I've learned from my experience, that should help you when you come to buy a heat pump:

1. A Warm Home is a Happy Home

Nobody wants a heating system that they can't run when they need it to keep warm. A well installed, well designed heat pump system will keep your home constantly warm so that you forget whether the heating is on or off. You just stay warm. And the good news is, this heating upgrade is normally cheaper to run than an existing gas boiler.

If you are having a heat pump installed, ask the installer to show you how much electricity it is going to take to run the system and understand how much this will cost you. Bear in mind that a lot of this cost will fall on the cold days, so don't panic in a cold snap, the bills will average out across the year.

Don't run your heat pump like a gas boiler - turning it on and off throughout the day. Think of it like the opposite of your fridge. You don't get home and switch on the fridge to cool your food, it just maintains a constant temperature. Do the same with a heat pump, no fancy thermostats turning the heating on when you reach your home, just one control that you set for the temperature you like to be and it stays there however cold it is outside.

2. Heat Pumps can Heat Any Home

Old homes, new homes, large homes, small homes. We've done them all, but that doesn't mean everyone can and should install a heat pump. Whilst for average houses there are some fantastic deals out there for really cheap heat pump installs, larger and more complex houses are expensive to retrofit a heat pump. Not everyone is financially able to take the long view of the eventual house price uplift and increased comfort.

Flats and very well insulated small homes can go green with electric heating, particularly where there is a storage element such as a thermal or lithium battery enabling the customer to benefit from cheap electricity overnight.

With some houses, finding space for a heat pump is very difficult. I welcome the government's recent announcement to relax the planning laws to make this easier, but there are still some homes that may have to wait for street by street shared ground source heat pump systems for them to connect into and heat their homes.

3. Don't Worry about the Hot Water

The most common myth is that heat pumps can't heat your hot water hot enough. Typically with a gas boiler and a hot water tank or cylinder, the water will be stored at 60 degrees C. With a heat pump we store it at 50 degrees. However, even 50 degree water would scald you, so both these heating systems blend the water from the tank with cold water for your bath or shower. So there is no need to worry.

4. Stay Up to Date with Technology

The field of heat pumps is constantly evolving, with new advancements and innovations emerging regularly. Staying updated with the latest technology and industry trends is vital. This not only helps in providing the best solutions to customers but also keeps the installation process efficient and up-to-date with current standards.

Most recently heat pumps have in general got a little larger and a lot quieter. They are also more likely to come in an attractive matt black box, but you can still get the beige ones that look more like air conditioners. People are often concerned about the noise of a heat pump, which is why we encourage our customers to go and listen to one if they are concerned. You can do this at Visit a heat pump, run by the not for profit organisation Nesta.

We now install a smart thermostat called the Homely smart thermostat with our heat pumps. This lets the heat pump learn the most efficient way to heat your home, you just tell it how hot you want it and at what times. It can also run your heat pump more or less depending on whether your electricity is cheap or expensive at different times of the day. This is very helpful if you are using a cheap overnight electricity tariff.

5. Building Trust and Relationships

Trust is the foundation of any successful business. Over the years, I've learned the importance of building strong relationships with customers. Providing excellent service, being transparent, and addressing any concerns promptly helps in establishing trust. Happy customers are more likely to recommend your services to others, leading to a growing and loyal customer base.

I hope these insights resonate with fellow installers and those considering heat pumps for their homes. The journey of installing heat pumps has been incredibly fulfilling, and I look forward to continuing to help customers make the switch to this efficient and eco-friendly technology.