Heat Pumps in the Real World: Answering Common Questions

As more UK households consider heat pumps, questions and misconceptions still surround how they work, who installs them, and whether they’re truly viable in older homes. This guide tackles some of the most frequent concerns and insights raised by the public — from installation to performance, costs to safety, and even industry transparency.

Are Heat Pumps a Government Plot or a Genuine Solution?

Heat pumps have their critics — some suspecting government propaganda, others unsure whether it’s a viable alternative to fossil fuels. The reality is this: transitioning away from gas and oil heating is part of a wider global decarbonisation effort, supported by the UK government, the IPCC, and much of the global scientific community.

Yes, challenges exist. But heat pumps remain one of the most mature, scalable, and efficient low-carbon heating solutions currently available.

Key point: You don’t have to love heat pumps — but if you reject them, you must still answer the question: “What’s the alternative that reduces emissions and keeps homes warm affordably?”

Can a Heat Pump Really Heat a Victorian House?

Absolutely — but success depends on design. Some worry that older homes, particularly draughty Victorian or Edwardian properties, aren’t suitable for heat pumps. The truth is, heat pumps can heat any home, old or new, if they’re designed and installed correctly.

Modern refrigerants like R290 (propane) allow heat pumps to reach higher flow temperatures (up to 70°C), meaning they can work with older radiators if needed.

Key advice:

• Get a proper heat loss calculation

• Ensure radiators are appropriately sized (not necessarily oversized)

• Address draughts and insulation where possible (but you don’t need Passivhaus standards)

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Do I Need to Worry About Legionnaires’ Disease from Hot Water Tanks?

Many heat pump systems include a hot water cylinder, and some homeowners express concern about bacteria like Legionella thriving in lukewarm water.

Here’s the reality:

• Legionnaires’ cases from UK domestic hot water systems are extremely rare

• Best practice involves a weekly sterilisation cycle: heating water to 60°C+ for 1–2 hours

• This is usually automated by your system

• Immersion heaters or R290-based heat pumps can achieve this easily

  
  

• Extra tip: Warmer storage temperatures mean you can use smaller tanks and still get adequate hot water by mixing with cold at the tap.

What About the UK’s Heat Pump Manufacturing Industry?

While many UK-based suppliers import heat pumps, the picture is changing. Homegrown production is ramping up thanks to both government support and evolving consumer demand.

Notable developments:

• Kensa (Cornwall): Leading manufacturer of ground source heat pumps, built from components in the UK

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• Vaillant (Belper) and Ideal (Hull): Expanding UK heat pump production lines, with government funding linked to the Clean Heat Market Mechanism

The goal is to retain and repurpose boiler manufacturing jobs as the UK transitions away from gas.

Is Electric Heating Always Bad Compared to Gas?

Not at all — especially if you're currently using electric resistance heating like storage heaters. These systems are often 1:1 in efficiency (1 unit of electricity = 1 unit of heat), while a heat pump can achieve 3:1 or more (often 3.5–4).

Switching to a heat pump from old electric heating:

• Can halve or even third your running costs

• Works particularly well in flats and apartment blocks

• Is increasingly supported by shared ground loop systems (common in social housing retrofits)

What About Infrared Heating Panels?

Infrared panels are an emerging electric heating option. They emit radiant heat that warms objects (like people and furniture) rather than the air.

Pros:

• Instant, direct heating

• 100% efficient at point of use

• Easy to install

Cons:

• Only heat the areas directly in front of them

• Don’t maintain a consistent ambient room temperature

• May allow building fabric to deteriorate if not run regularly

• Best suited to small or very targeted spaces, not whole-home heating

For most households, a well-installed heat pump is still the more robust and scalable solution.

How Do I Know My Heat Pump Installer Is Any Good?

Poor installation remains one of the biggest risks to heat pump performance. Design, sizing, and control setup are critical — and not all plumbers or heating engineers are trained for this.

What to look for:

• Ask whether your installer uses detailed heat loss calculations

• Check if they are accredited by bodies like MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme)

• Look for affiliations with training programs like Heat Geek Elite, which focuses on advanced system design

  
  

Heat Geek installers, for instance, are trained in a design-led approach that focuses on reducing flow temperatures, improving pipework layout, and maximising system efficiency. Many are listed among the top-performing systems in the UK.

Bonus Insight: Gas Boilers vs Heat Pumps – The Efficiency Misconception

Many households use 12,000 kWh of gas annually and assume they’ll need a heat pump that delivers the same. Not true. Gas boilers are only 80–90% efficient, meaning your home is only receiving 9,500 kWh of heat.

With a good heat pump (COP of 3.5–4), you may only need 2,500–3,000 kWh of electricity to meet the same demand. That’s significantly less energy overall.

Summary: Key Takeaways for Homeowners

Concern	Reality
Can heat pumps heat old homes?	Yes – with proper design and radiator sizing
Is Legionnaires’ a risk?	Rare; weekly sterilisation cycles are standard
Will heat pumps be made in the UK?	Increasingly yes – with major manufacturers investing
Is electric heating bad?	Not if it’s a heat pump (3x more efficient than storage heaters)
Are infrared panels better?	Useful in small spaces, but not a full home heating solution
How to pick an installer?	Choose based on design training (e.g. Heat Geek), not just plumbing skills