New research published by the Energy Saving Trust has shown that heat pumps produce clean energy and could save households thousands of pounds a year.
Using data* from heat pumps located across the UK, the study which was part-funded by SSE and other energy companies, found that the technloogy – when properly installed and operated - perform to a very high standard.
Homes could expect to earn savings and income of around £1,350** a year on air source heat pumps and around £3,000** a year on ground source heat pumps.
Eighty per cent of the users of the technology were satisfied with their heat pump’s performance, while over 77 per cent would recommend a heat pump to a friend, mainly due to its efficiency and running costs of the system.
The research follows the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) announcement by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in July, setting out how householders could receive payments of hundreds of pounds a year for heat generated by renewable heat technologies including heat pumps.
Jaryn Bradford, Senior Technical Manager at the Energy Saving Trust, said, “Based upon the results of the study, we are convinced that heat pumps can play a significant role in providing an effective heating solution for homes and reducing carbon emissions.
“From the study, it is clear that heat pumps are sensitive to design, commissioning and how the householder uses the system. However, the performance monitoring trials have provided early indications that the introduction of improved installation standards, amongst other things, will lead to improved performance.
“The new savings and income figures, alongside the recommendations from our study, can only help to encourage the increased uptake of heat pumps in the right homes across the UK.”
Richard Chandler, SSE's Head of Energy Services, added:“It is important for SSE to be involved in studies like these as it provides impartial evidence and additional reassurance for both industry and customers.
“The findings underline the important role renewable technologies can play in providing effective heating for homes and the savings and additional income possible. We’re already receiving positive feedback from our customers on the effectiveness of heat pumps and the EST research helps to reinforce this.”
To find out more detail on the report findings visit: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Energy-Saving-Trust/Press/Press-releases/Most-in-depth-study-of-its-kind-shows-improved-heat-pump-performance
*44 heat pump sites were used across the UK, which included both high performing and poor-performing sites from Phase 1.
**Based on a four bedroom detached property with 250mm loft insulation and filled cavity walls (as per minimum requirements for RHI eligibility) with electric storage heating. The income is worked out based on the RHI tariff of 7.3p/kWh for renewable heat generated from air source heat pumps with an average SPF (H4) of 2.45; and 18.8p/kWh for renewable heat generated from ground source heat pumps with an average SPF (H4) of 2.82, based on the results from the Energy Saving Trust’s heat pump study. The savings may change depending on future changing fuel prices, which are not accounted for in the calculations.