You can help bust the myths around heat pumps!
06 Dec 2023
Good Energy, the green energy company, has recently published the results of a survey it commissioned Opinium to undertake on its behalf. Opinium presented 2.5K adults across the UK with myths about heat pumps and asked them to say whether they were true or false. The results make frustrating reading as negative public opinion obviously has an impact on take up.
It’s time for us all to do a bit of myth busting! Here’s what the survey found:
25% of those surveyed believe that heat pumps are less efficient than gas boilers.
Bust the myth: heat pumps run much more efficiently than gas boilers so less energy is lost.
- Air source heat pumps run at 350% efficiency so 0% energy is lost
- Modern, condensing gas boilers runt at 92% efficiency so 8% energy is lost
- Older, non-condensing gas boiler run at 50-75% efficiency and therefore 25-50% energy is lost
24% of those surveyed believe that heat pumps cost more to run, so heating bills will increase.
Bust the myth: Figures produced by the Energy Saving Trust show that when fossil fuel based central heating systems are replaced with heat pumps, energy bills could fall significantly. For example, those who had preciously powered their central heating systems with gas could save between £95 and £425 per year and those using LPG, between £380 and £1,300 per year.
20% of those surveyed believe pumps are suitable for new homes only - and not for older homes.
Bust the myth: the age of the property doesn’t matter. The crucial thing is that heat loss is kept to a minimum so that a constant temperature can be maintained. Before a heat pump is installed an assessment of the property needs to be carried out to see whether it is suitable and insulation upgraded if necessary.
15% of those surveyed believe that heat pumps are not powerful enough to heat their homes in cold weather.
Bust the myth: A well designed heat pump system will easily maintain a constant and comfortable temperature, even at sub-zero temperatures. 1.4 million households in Norway rely on air source heat pumps as their source of heating despite freezing temperatures.
23% of those surveyed believe air source heat pumps are too noisy and will disturb them and their neighbours.
Bust the myth: air source heat pumps are no noisier than a fridge and quieter than a boiler.
The noise produced by heat pumps falls between 42-45 dB. A typical boiler produces between 48 and 53 dB.
15% or those surveyed believe that heat pumps only work with underfloor heating - not with radiators.
Bust the myth: heat pumps work effectively with radiators and underfloor heating. Larger radiators together with good insulation will help maintain levels of heat and ensure maximum efficiency.
Good Energy’s CEO, Nigel Pocklington said of the survey results:
“For some unfathomable reason, heat pumps have found themselves in the front line of the culture war, with the truth, as ever, becoming an early casualty. The constant flow of misinformation from media with poor journalistic standards, an absence of reputable data or the fingerprints of lobbyists all over them, means that the overall level of public understanding has fallen. The best antidote to this is to keep pointing towards fact-based research and data, and we will continue to do that.”
You can help. Ensure that your staff and candidates are clear about the facts so they can help counter misinformation. If you’re not already running our heat pump training courses, please get in touch and we can help you set this up.
Good Energy, the green energy company, has recently published the results of a survey it commissioned Opinium to undertake on its behalf. Opinium presented 2.5K adults across the UK with myths about heat pumps and asked them to say whether they were true or false. The results make frustrating reading as negative public opinion obviously has an impact on take up.
It’s time for us all to do a bit of myth busting! Here’s what the survey found:
25% of those surveyed believe that heat pumps are less efficient than gas boilers.
Bust the myth: heat pumps run much more efficiently than gas boilers so less energy is lost.
- Air source heat pumps run at 350% efficiency so 0% energy is lost
- Modern, condensing gas boilers runt at 92% efficiency so 8% energy is lost
- Older, non-condensing gas boiler run at 50-75% efficiency and therefore 25-50% energy is lost
24% of those surveyed believe that heat pumps cost more to run, so heating bills will increase.
Bust the myth: Figures produced by the Energy Saving Trust show that when fossil fuel based central heating systems are replaced with heat pumps, energy bills could fall significantly. For example, those who had preciously powered their central heating systems with gas could save between £95 and £425 per year and those using LPG, between £380 and £1,300 per year.
20% of those surveyed believe pumps are suitable for new homes only - and not for older homes.
Bust the myth: the age of the property doesn’t matter. The crucial thing is that heat loss is kept to a minimum so that a constant temperature can be maintained. Before a heat pump is installed an assessment of the property needs to be carried out to see whether it is suitable and insulation upgraded if necessary.
15% of those surveyed believe that heat pumps are not powerful enough to heat their homes in cold weather.
Bust the myth: A well designed heat pump system will easily maintain a constant and comfortable temperature, even at sub-zero temperatures. 1.4 million households in Norway rely on air source heat pumps as their source of heating despite freezing temperatures.
23% of those surveyed believe air source heat pumps are too noisy and will disturb them and their neighbours.
Bust the myth: air source heat pumps are no noisier than a fridge and quieter than a boiler.
The noise produced by heat pumps falls between 42-45 dB. A typical boiler produces between 48 and 53 dB.
15% or those surveyed believe that heat pumps only work with underfloor heating - not with radiators.
Bust the myth: heat pumps work effectively with radiators and underfloor heating. Larger radiators together with good insulation will help maintain levels of heat and ensure maximum efficiency.
Good Energy’s CEO, Nigel Pocklington said of the survey results:
“For some unfathomable reason, heat pumps have found themselves in the front line of the culture war, with the truth, as ever, becoming an early casualty. The constant flow of misinformation from media with poor journalistic standards, an absence of reputable data or the fingerprints of lobbyists all over them, means that the overall level of public understanding has fallen. The best antidote to this is to keep pointing towards fact-based research and data, and we will continue to do that.”
You can help. Ensure that your staff and candidates are clear about the facts so they can help counter misinformation. If you’re not already running our heat pump training courses, please get in touch and we can help you set this up.