Is an air source heat pump a good replacement for your boiler?
Around 85% of homes use gas boilers for heating (according to the Committee on Climate Change). Meanwhile, in the non-residential sector, two thirds of all space heating uses natural gas.
But in order for the UK government to reach its Net Zero goals, something has to change.
Already, 250,000 certified heat pump installations have been completed in UK homes (based on data from MCS). And that number is only going to keep growing.
Still though, if your heating system is on its last legs, you might be wondering… is an air source heat pump really a good replacement for your boiler?
Here, we’ll delve into the ins and outs – from the benefits of making the switch to the key considerations to keep in mind.
Is a heat pump a valid boiler replacement?
Yes, a heat pump can be a fantastic replacement for a boiler.
It’s a common misconception that heat pumps work best in new build properties. But in reality, an air source heat pump can replace natural gas, oil and LPG boilers in most existing buildings.
Unlike boilers, heat pumps don’t generate heat from scratch. Instead, they transfer heat from one place to another, using just a small amount of electricity.
But while heat pumps work very differently from boilers, the way they heat your home will feel very much the same.
Like boilers, heat pumps are compatible with both radiators and underfloor heating. And, like boilers, they can provide both space heating and hot water. Which brings us onto…
Can an air source heat pump heat water?
Yes! Another common misconception is that heat pumps aren’t reliable at heating water above around 60°C.
But this simply isn’t true.
While many heat pumps haven’t been designed to heat water above this temperature, others are capable of heating water to significantly higher temperatures.
For instance, our groundbreaking Elm heat pump delivers flow temperatures up to 80°C.
Similarly, our CO2 heat pumps have proven repeatedly that they can consistently produce a hot water supply at 80°C – even with variable ambient conditions.
This is more than enough for most hot water requirements.
Head over to our guide on high temperature heat pumps to learn more.
Can boilers and heat pumps work together?
Yes. If you don’t yet feel ready to replace your boiler with an air source heat pump, you could instead combine the two.
This is known as bivalent heating.
However, just because it’s possible to combine a boiler and a heat pump, that doesn’t mean it’s necessary.
Normally, bivalent systems are only used when the heat pump isn’t sized for 100% of the peak heating load. For instance, in retrofit applications where the insulation levels of a building are insufficient and a heat pump can’t meet all of the heating load effectively.
In this way, the boiler acts as a secondary heating system to supplement the heat pump when necessary.
However, a correctly sized heat pump will almost always be more effective, even in retrofit cases like this.
For instance, at Clade, our Elm high temperature heat pump is designed especially for buildings where changes like improving insulation levels can’t easily be made – as it provides a direct replacement for a boiler.
Benefits of replacing your boiler with a heat pump
Now you’ve seen that an air source heat pump can be a valid replacement for a boiler.
But if you’re still weighing up the pros and cons of a boiler vs air source heat pump, don’t fear.
Here are just a few benefits that show it could really be worth making the switch.
Increased efficiency
Heat pumps are actually three or four times more efficient than gas boilers.
While the most efficient gas boilers can reach around 98% efficiency, air source heat pumps can reach around 300% efficiency.
Wondering how that’s possible?
Consider that heat pumps transfer heat from one place to another instead of generating it from scratch – using just a small amount of electricity.
Our guide to heat pump efficiency has the full details.
Reduced energy bills
Heat pumps generate more heat than the electricity that powers them.
In fact, just 30% of the energy used by an air source heat pump is typically provided by electricity. The rest is generated by the environment through the air – which is free!
In this way, replacing your boiler with a heat pump will give you a chance to bring your energy bills down.
You can maximise this opportunity still more by making the most of grid flexibility – which means using power at times when it’s cheap.
Or, why not go completely off-grid and use a renewable energy source like solar panels to generate the small amount of electrricity needed to power your heat pump?
The point is the power will all be in your hands!
Lower carbon footprint
With most homes in the UK currently using gas boilers, a whopping 17% of the UK’s total emissions output is represented by home heating (according to Energy UK).
And this doesn’t even factor in all the emissions contributed by boilers in businesses premises!
Meanwhile, an air source heat pump produces no emissions.
It’s also a sustainable option, given the fact that it uses air to produce heat, which is a natural energy source.
Of course, an air source heat pump won’t usually be completely carbon-free. After all, they rely on a small amount of electricity to operate. And much of the UK’s electricity is still generated by fossil fuels.
However, the proportion of renewable energy supplied to the National Grid is increasing.
Plus, there’s the option to use a renewable energy source to power your heat pump instead, like solar panels.
We always advise businesses and homeowners to opt for a natural refrigerant heat pump to reduce their impact on the planet still more, as natural refrigerants are free from harmful F-gases and forever chemicals known as PFAS.
Futureproof your heating system
Even if you’re not interested in decarbonisation, the government is (or at least, they’re slowly moving it up their priority list).
In the UK, gas boilers will begin to be phased out from 2025.
And, according to Nesta, boiler bans are already in place in 11 countries – meaning the UK has some catching up to do!
With that in mind, replacing your boiler with a heat pump could be an important way to futureproof your heating system and prevent it from becoming a stranded asset in the near future.
The only restrictions you may be impacted by could be tightening F-gas regulations if you opt for a heat pump that contains a synthetic refrigerant.
However, by opting for a natural refrigerant heat pump, you can be confident your heat pump really will be futureproof. Which brings us onto…
Longer lifespan
A heat pump will last, on average, double the lifespan of a typical domestic boiler.
While boilers typically have a lifespan of around 10 to 12 years, a heat pump should last over 20.
This is because heat pumps have a robust design with few moving parts, meaning they’re less prone to wear and tear.
A bonus is that this also means heat pumps tend to require very little maintenance in comparison to boilers.
That said, regular maintenance can help to keep your heat pump in the best condition, potentially prolonging its lifespan even more. Hence why we offer regular heat pump servicing here at Clade.
What to consider before taking the plunge with a heat pump boiler replacement
As you can see, switching to a heat pump from a boiler can bring lots of benefits. But there are still some things to consider before making the leap.
Installation process
Replacing your boiler with a different heating system is always going to involve more work than a like-for-like replacement.
But you’ll be pleased to hear that retrofitting a heat pump can be a lot easier than you might think.
The key is choosing a refrigerant with a similar temperature differential (Delta T) to those used by traditional boilers, like R290 (propane).
This reduces the number of changes that you’ll need to make to your building’s existing infrastructure, minimising disruption and cutting installation costs.
Much of the time, you’ll be able to keep your building’s existing pipework and you’ll just need to replace the radiators to accommodate the lower flow temperatures provided by a heat pump.
However, even this isn’t always necessary.
For instance, at Clade, our groundbreaking Elm heat pump is designed to be a direct replacement for a traditional gas boiler.
Made for buildings where it isn’t possible to make changes to the existing heating system, it allows for easy installation and means that businesses can operate continuously during the installation process.
Upfront costs
The upfront cost of a heat pump is likely to be around four or five times more than the cost of a new gas boiler, including both supply and installation (according to figures from The Guardian).
So, it’s no secret that heat pumps require significant upfront investment.
That said, this gap is likely to close over time as heat pumps become more and more commonplace.
Plus, until then, there are grants and funding schemes available to help you make the switch. Which brings us onto…
Grants and funding
For domestic heat pumps, support is available in the form of schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.
Meanwhile, organisations may be able to access schemes such as:
- Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS)
- Clean Heat Grant
- BUS
- Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF)
… although bear in mind that the only government support widely available to non-public sector organisations are tax breaks (it’s likely that heat pumps will qualify for the 50% first year allowance (FYA) for special rate plant and machinery – but we’re not tax advisors!).
Alternatively, we can help most businesses to spread out the initial cost of an air source heat pump with commercial heat pump financing.
For one single monthly payment, our Heat-as-a-Service offering allows you to split the investment cost of your heat pump over 15 years and includes a full service package to help keep your heat pump in top shape.
In this way, we hope to remove the barriers to green heating for the majority of businesses.
So, should you replace your boiler with a heat pump?
Yes! If your boiler is nearing the end of its life and due a replacement, replacing it with a heat pump is pretty much a no-brainer.
Yes, it requires a big upfront investment.
But the benefits are many – for people, businesses and the planet.
A heat pump is an efficient heating system that has low running costs, requires little maintenance and will last for far longer than a standard boiler.
And it achieves all this by harnessing energy from the air rather than burning fossil fuels.
If you’re interested in a natural refrigerant heat pump for your business, you’re in the right place.
At Clade, we design, manufacture, install and maintain commercial air source heat pumps and have been working with natural refrigerant heat pumps and refrigeration equipment for 35 years!
Simply get in touch with our team of experts to learn about how we can help you make the switch.