Major UK house builder to install heat pumps in future builds

One of the UK’s largest house builders has announced that all its new developments will be fitted with a heat pump rather than a gas boiler from this month. 

Claiming an industry first, Redrow says this decision puts it ahead of government proposals to ban gas boilers in new build properties from 2025.

Air source heat pumps will be installed as standard in its new homes in upcoming developments, with ground floor underfloor heating in detached properties. The move is expected to have have the biggest impact to date on improving the efficiency of the homes it builds.

It has formed a partnership with Mitsubishi, Vaillant and Daikin for installation, with each offering their own training centre and facilities for installers to ensure a smooth transition from gas boilers.

Redrow ran a heat pump trial with Mitsubishi Electric to compare energy consumption for heating and hot water against a benchmark home with a traditional gas boiler. The results showed that heat pumps consume significantly less energy than gas boilers, operating at an efficiency of around two to three times that of an ‘A’ rated boiler.

Matthew Pratt, Redrow’s chief executive, says its customers are asking for reassurance their homes will help them to future-proof their heating and there is only a “small increase” in the cost to install a heat pump compared to a gas boiler..

“We are committed to further improving the energy efficiency and will shortly go above and beyond regulatory requirements, future proofing our homes and helping our customers lower their energy use. We know how important energy efficiency is to our customers and we’re proud to be investing in newer, greener technology and leading the way by offering these energy efficient features. This will provide the opportunity for our customers to reduce their costs and carbon footprint simultaneously.

“The move to air source heat pumps will ensure our future homes are ‘zero-carbon ready’ for when the grid is decarbonised and supports our goal of achieving science-based net-zero emissions no later than 2050 across our operations, homes and supply chain.”