Paul, 1950s Detached House
Octopus installed Paul’s heat pump in 2022.
The image shows the exterior wall of a 1950s brick home, with a patio. Next to it, on the wall is a heat pump. Two pipes coming out of the heat pump enter the house on the upper floor through the wall above the door.
“We got our air source heat pump because our gas boiler was approaching the end of its life and we wanted to reduce carbon emissions. The installation was straightforward and took five days. All but two radiators were replaced. It is important to consider where you will put the pump and the hot water tank – our pump is in front of the house and the tank is in the airing cupboard. It works well, heats our home and supplies hot water.
“It cost £10,800 and we got a £5,000 government grant. A new boiler would have been £3,000 to supply and install, so the additional cost to us was £2,800. We are saving £600 a year on bills, even though we run the heating all day as that’s the most efficient way to use the heat pump. The maintenance costs are the same as for the old gas boiler, but the pump should last longer – up to 25 years.”
Paul’s message to anyone considering getting a heat pump:
“Ignore the myths! We have cut energy use by 75% and lowered our annual bill. The pump is no noisier than a microwave, and the technology is evolving – units are getting quieter and more efficient.”