Sandra’s switch to a heat pump

Sandra’s switch to
a heat pump

Sandra replaced her gas boiler with an air source heat pump, using a government grant to improve comfort, reduce environmental impact and make better use of her solar energy.

House specifications:

House Type: Mid-Terrace house
Number of bedrooms: 3

Background

Sandra lives in a three bedroom terraced home with her partner and two children. Before upgrading, the house relied on a gas boiler, and heating was often used in short bursts, leaving the home cold at times.

Assessment

After seeing a friend install a heat pump, Sandra began to consider it as an option. When her boiler failed, she decided to move forward, supported by a government grant that made the change more accessible.

Challenges

Switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump required a different way of thinking about heating. Instead of short bursts of heat, the system works more gradually to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the home.

There were also considerations around how the system would operate day to day, including how it would sound and whether it would suit a busy family household. Understanding the indoor and outdoor units, as well as how hot water is stored and heated, was part of the process.

As with any installation involving multiple trades, there was an expectation that it could be disruptive, particularly with electricians and plumbers working across several days.

Solutions

Sandra installed an air source heat pump to replace her gas boiler, allowing her to heat her home using electricity rather than fossil fuels. With solar panels already in place, this created an opportunity to make better use of the energy generated on site.

The installation took place over several days and involved different trades, but the process was well managed and less disruptive than expected. Work was completed during the day, with the home returned to normal each evening.

The system was designed to run quietly and efficiently, providing consistent heating and hot water while fitting into everyday family life.

Results

Since installing the heat pump, Sandra has noticed a significant improvement in comfort, with the home staying warm more consistently throughout the day. The need to turn heating on and off has been reduced, making daily routines simpler.

The system works well alongside existing solar panels, helping to make better use of electricity generated at home. This has supported a more efficient and environmentally conscious way of heating.

With a long warranty in place and confidence in how the system performs, Sandra feels the investment has been worthwhile and would recommend it to others considering similar improvements.