How heat pumps leave some homes so cold owners are ripping them out: So is £450m scheme to replace our boilers a misselling scandal in the making?

 

• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants of up to £6,000 to install a heat pump
• But users have told about a litany of problems associated with the technology
• Some have had them removed or installed heating systems for when they fail

 

To heat pump, or not to heat pump? That is the question. The answer is a resounding: NO. 

That is what readers have told Money Mail in response to our article last week, questioning the Government's £450 million scheme to bribe us into installing eco-friendly heat pumps.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, launched last May, offers grants of up to £6,000 if homeowners rip out their gas boiler and install an air or ground source heat pump.

Hundreds of readers contacted us to express an opinion (thank you).

 

Homeowners who have bought homes with heat pumps already installed — or purchased new builds where groovy pumps were part of the package — have told us about a litany of problems associated with the technology. 

 

This is despite their overwhelming desire to do their bit to save the planet from self-destruction.

 

Some have got so fed up with them they have had them removed — or installed additional heating systems to step in when the pumps don't generate enough heat.

 

Many of the critics are knowledgeable. They include retired engineers and current installers of heat pumps.

 

Some believe the Government is now in danger of committing a misselling scandal to match that of the promotion of diesel cars in the early 2000s by the Labour government — even though diesel fuel was known to contain pollutants harmful to health.

 

One engineer told Money Mail: 'The nationwide promotion of heat pumps as replacements for gas boilers needs to be challenged. 

 

Not just economically, but also on availability, reliability and functionality issues. It could easily turn out to be the next major government misselling scandal.'

 

In defence of heat pumps, both users and installers say they perform well during certain times of the year — spring, summer and autumn (in other words, when they are least needed) — and are good for the environment.

 

They can also be quiet when new or if only low levels of power are required. But these advantages are outweighed by the negatives.

 

Heat pumps, typically installed outside at the back or side of a house, perform poorly in cold winter weather, especially if a home is inadequately insulated or the radiators are not big enough to give off sufficient heat.

 

Furthermore, when running at full power in winter or if key components (fan bearings for example) are suffering from wear and tear, the pumps can be noisy. Repairs are also expensive while the pumps are quite complex to operate.

 

Bill Griffiths bought a new build four-bedroom home four years ago, in a village close to Alfreton, Derbyshire. It came fitted with an air source pump.

 

Bill, a former chemist at nearby engineering giant Rolls-Royce, says he is generally happy with his heat pump, 'a hefty unit with a double fan that sits outside behind the garage'.

 

 

 

Heat pumps, typically installed outside at the back or side of a house, perform poorly in cold winter weather, especially if a home is inadequately insulated or the radiators are too small

 

This heats a 400-litre water tank (inside the garage) with a supporting buffer tank stopping the heat pump from continually switching on and off.

 

'It's noisy when it's working hard,' he says. 'Akin to a loud extraction fan in your bathroom.'

 

Noise aside, the 74-year-old says the heating device comes with 'significant issues' which those contemplating buying one should be aware of.

 

He explains: 'Given the current price differential between gas and electricity — respectively, 10p and 34p per kilowatt hour (kWh) — the heat pump has to run super efficiently for it to reap financial benefits.'

 

He adds: 'That means an ambient temperature [the outside temperature] of around 10 c [50F] or higher. Any lower temperature and the pump loses efficiency.'

 

For example, on February 16 this year, when the temperature was 8C, Bill says the heat pump consumed 19kWh of electricity, costing £6.46, in producing 72kWh of heat. 

 

 

Read More Here:   Daily Mail