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In order to investigate how well air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps perform, the Energy Saving Trust (EST) ran a trial on 83 different heat pumps installed in the UK.
The EST monitored 54 ground source heat pumps and 29 air source heat pumps in UK properties between 2008 and 2013. The trial enabled it to identify which factors affect how well a heat pump works, and to better understand how households are actually using heat-pump technology.
You can use the results of the EST's trial to help you decide whether a heat pump is right for your home. Scroll down to read tips on getting the best from your ground source heat pump system.
During the trial, the EST monitored heat-pump installations and their performance in homes, and gathered feedback from owners. The trials found that heat pumps – when correctly installed and operated – can perform to a very high standard in UK homes.
The EST recommends that you should consider a heat pump if you live in a new-build home, or a well-insulated property that can’t access the gas network.
But if found that many heat-pump owners felt that the instructions for using their heat pump were complicated, and this had a knock-on impact on the performance of their pump.
If you're thinking of installing a heat pump, it's good to have a sense of what changes will take effect. For example, if you're using radiators, expect them to feel warm rather than hot – heat pumps produce lower temperatures than a boiler.
Take the following factors into account:
Planning on investing in an air source heat pump? These tips will help you get the best from your new system:
Whether or not you get a ground source heat pump, it's worth making sure you're on the cheapest energy deal for you. You can use our independent switching site, Which? Switch, to compare gas and electricity prices.