Saving money biggest driver for Brits switching to heat pumps

The potential to save money on their energy bills is the biggest driver for Brits looking to instal a heat pump, research by EDF has found.

The report found that almost half of (49%) of Brits are looking at installing a heat pump in the future. Of those, more than half (54%) said that they would do so in the next two years, with three-quarters expecting to instal a heat pump within five years.

Of those looking to switch from gas boilers to a heat pump, 25% cited the potential to save money as the main motivation.

This was followed by reducing their carbon footprint (17%) and a recognition that heat pumps are more efficient than gas boilers (16%).

Despite the interest in heat pumps, a quarter of the 2,000 people surveyed said they do not know what heat pumps are or how they work, with the media (31%) and word-of-mouth (25%) from family or friends being the main sources that inform their opinions.

Only half (52%) said that they had knowledge of government grants available to help with the cost of heat pump installation.

The EDF research also flagged several misconceptions around the technology with a third of Brits saying heat pumps generate excessive noise.

A quarter (23%) of respondents also believe heat pumps can only be installed in new homes, while a fifth (20%) of people think heat pumps are ineffective during winter.

Philippe Commaret, managing director for customers at EDF, said: “We’re on a mission to help everyone save cash and carbon so it’s great to see more people considering heat pumps and a move away from inefficient, fossil fuel heating. However, we recognise many barriers remain.

“While many people remain worried about the climate crisis, people are struggling to find the headspace, time and money to make it a priority.”

The research also found that people living in the West Midlands (52%) and Scotland (45%) are among the most likely to instal a heat pump. However, those in London are the most eager in Britain, with over three-quarters (76%) saying they are likely to switch in the future. A third (30%) of Londoners say they are planning to install one within the next year.