Cornwall tops the UK in number of heat pump installations
Cornwall has been identified as the heat pump capital of theUK, with 14,043 households using the technology, according to a analysis of nearly 26 million Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) conducted by Uswitch.com.
The South West region boasts 11,980 air source heat pumps and 14,043 ground source heat pumps, meaning that more than 5% of the 277,078 households have taken the plunge.
Following Cornwall, Wiltshire ranks second with 4,709 heat pumps, while King’s Lynn and West Norfolk comes in third with 4,084. Mid Suffolk has the highest proportion of households using heat pumps, with 6.8% of its homes equipped with the technology. In contrast, Tamworth in Staffordshire has the fewest, with only 20 installations.
The total number of heat pumps currently in use across the UK stands at over 250,000, with 228,877 being air source pumps and 32,174 ground source pumps.
|
Rank
|
Location
|
Air source heat pumps
|
Ground source heat pumps
|
Total heat pumps
|
Homes
|
Proportion of heat pumps
|
|
1
|
Cornwall
|
11,980
|
2,063
|
14,043
|
277,078
|
5.1%
|
|
2
|
Wiltshire
|
4,277
|
432
|
4,709
|
209,052
|
2.3%
|
|
3
|
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk
|
3,897
|
187
|
4,084
|
76,937
|
5.3%
|
|
4
|
Shropshire
|
2,886
|
870
|
3,756
|
135,210
|
2.8%
|
|
5
|
Breckland
|
3,463
|
238
|
3,701
|
60,935
|
6.1%
|
|
6
|
South Somerset
|
2,490
|
752
|
3,242
|
71,713
|
4.5%
|
|
7
|
Dorset
|
2,840
|
379
|
3,219
|
163,416
|
2.0%
|
|
8
|
East Suffolk
|
2,821
|
318
|
3,139
|
111,302
|
2.8%
|
|
9
|
Mid Suffolk
|
2,690
|
198
|
2,888
|
42,211
|
6.8%
|
|
10
|
Westminster
|
2,572
|
174
|
2,746
|
156,546
|
1.8%
|
|
11
|
South Norfolk
|
2,455
|
242
|
2,697
|
57,933
|
4.7%
|
The number of heat pumps in the UK has been increasing in recent years as households attempt to reduce their carbon emissions and cut their energy costs. With the cost-of-living crisis taking a bite out of home budgets, half of UK households (49%) say they have embraced green habits primarily to save money.
Widespread adoption has been slow in the UK due to a range of factors including high installation costs compared to gas boilers, and being better suited to newer homes which are well-insulated and airtight – rather than much of the UK’s older, draughtier housing stock. A lack of skilled installers and general lack of consumer knowledge have also been cited as further reasons for a slow update in the UK.
The demand for heat pumps is expected to grow significantly as the government continues to phase out gas boilers and encourage low-carbon heating technologies.
Uswitch.com is offering tips on how to decide if a heat pump is right for you, and is answering consumers’ questions on how to decide whether a ground source or air source option is more suitable.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “Heat pumps have been slow to spread across the UK so far, with their widespread adoption being held back by high installation costs and poorly insulated housing. It’s good news that a quarter of a million heat pumps have already been installed across the UK, and it’s great to see Cornwall leading the way.
“Installing a heat pump is a big change for households, and the pros and cons should be carefully weighed up, even if you are eligible for a grant for the installation. Although they can reduce your energy bill if they are well-installed, the amount they will save you is difficult to predict as it depends on what system they are replacing.
“If you’re replacing a standard gas boiler, a heat pump may be less likely to offer savings, though it will drastically cut your carbon emissions. Households considering a heat pump should make sure they’re clear on how much it is likely to cost in the long run before taking the plunge.”
