One of the key drivers in the Government’s bid to reach net zero carbon emissions is to encourage the use of more sustainable energy sources, such as heat pumps. This will wean us off our reliance on oil, gas and other fossil fuels, which account for a large percentage of the whole country’s carbon footprint.
WEEE Technology specialise in laptop recycling and other related services in the London area, and we take a keen interest in all green issues and initiatives. Here are the principal pros and cons of purchasing a heat pump.
The Pros
Financial Incentives – The Government is encouraging householders to have these installed, as home heating is responsible for around 15% of the UK’s carbon emissions. Grants of up to £5,000 per household are available to anyone who wants to replace their fossil fuel boiler with either a ground or air source heat pump. Ground source pumps transfer heat from the ground outside into a home or business, while their air source counterparts, an example of which is pictured above, do the same from the air; in both cases they provide enough energy to operate a heating and hot water system.
Lower Maintenance Costs – Compared to systems which operate on oil and gas, heat pumps – and particularly air source ones – require comparatively little maintenance. An annual service shouldn’t cost more than £150, according to industry experts. This is because they have fewer mechanical parts, reducing the need for repairs and replacement.
The Overall Efficiency – A modern gas boiler is around 90% efficient, which means that around a tenth of the energy it uses is not converted into heat (it’s usually lost through the flue pipe). Heat pumps, in contrast, have efficiency ratings of between 300-400%. This means that for every 1kWh of electricity used, it will generate three to four times as much more heat.
The Running Costs – Due to their overall efficiency, you shouldn’t need to use as much electricity to keep your home or business heated to the same level. Even before the recent rises in the price of energy, analysis from the Regulatory Assistance Project suggested that the annual heating bill for a household with a typical gas boiler would be just short of £1,000, while an efficient heat pump should cost just under £750 a year to run. That also assumes that the property is well insulated.
Better Safety – As there is no combustion involved in the process of transferring heat from either the air or the ground into your home’s hot water system, there is a much lower risk of fire or explosions.
The Cons
The Installation Costs – New gas boilers typically cost around £1,500 to £3,000 to install. Air source heat pumps, in contrast, cost around £8,000-£15,000, while their ground source equivalents are even more expensive – between £18,000-£25,000. This is because of the additional pipework involved, which also means the installation time is a lot longer (potentially between four to six weeks). So you will need to budget for this – the current Government grant won’t usually cover the installation cost.
Problems with the Location – Ideally, air source heat pumps should be located at ground level at the back of a property to ensure easy access for servicing. This may not be easy, particularly in multi-storey inner-city areas. Ground source pumps need around 700 square metres of space for all the piping, so you will need a garden (and one of a reasonable size).
They Aren’t Entirely Carbon-Neutral – Both air and ground source pumps still need electricity to operate, which may also have financial implications in these days of fluctuating prices.
Laptop Recycling in London from WEEE Technology
Whatever the pros and cons, you can be sure that by opting for this power source you will be reducing your carbon footprint – just as WEEE Technology is helping the electronics industry to do.
We always try to reuse or recycle any item of electronic waste and sending unwanted items to landfill is very much a last resort. Our services also include secure data destruction to businesses in and around London, so we can also help if you want to comply with your GDPR responsibilities but don’t necessarily need to get rid of the electronic item in question.
If you would like to know any more about WEEE Technology and our services, you can call us on 020 7859 4669.
