This webinar hosted by Nesta, as part of Retrofit Action Week, centred around the use of heat pumps as a sustainable home heating solution and featured Lucy Hayden, a retrofit coordinator at the National Energy Foundation and heat pump owner.

During the webinar Lucy offered her personal and professional insights, stressing that replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump is the most impactful step towards net-zero home heating. She emphasised that homeowners can directly transition from a gas boiler to a heat pump with minimal adjustments to their existing heating system. However, she advised homeowners to seek bespoke advice, especially those living in older or extended properties, to determine the most effective retrofitting plan.

Motivated by a desire to reduce her family’s carbon footprint, Lucy shared her experience of transitioning from a gas boiler to an air-source heat pump, which has significantly reduced her home’s energy demand and CO2 emissions. She assured listeners that living with a heat pump is straightforward - she interacts solely with her hot water system and heating controls, while the heat pump operates seamlessly in the background. Lucy outlined her decision-making process, detailing how she found a trustworthy installer through the MCS website and sought references from previous clients to gauge their reliability and expertise.

Dispelling common concerns about noise pollution Lucy revealed that her heat pump, installed at the front of her property, hasn't elicited any complaints from neighbours in the two and a half years since installation. She attributes this to the generally quiet operation of modern heat pumps and the consistent ambient noise typical of urban and suburban environments. Lucy also addressed concerns about water pressure in heat pump systems, stating that she has not experienced any issues with her system, which supplies showers and a bath upstairs.

Acknowledging the financial implications of heat pump installation, Lucy recognises the high upfront costs as a significant barrier for many homeowners. However, she highlighted the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, which offers financial assistance towards installation, and suggested exploring additional support offered by some commercial banks.

Lucy’s personal experience demonstrates that financial incentives, such as the increased grant amount from £5,000 to £7,500, have significantly influenced the adoption of heat pumps.

The webinar concluded by highlighting Nesta’s heat pump initiatives: the Visit a Heat Pump platform, which connects potential heat pump owners with existing users like Lucy to exchange knowledge and address concerns, and the Get a Heat Pump website, which provides comprehensive, free, and independent information on heat pumps, guiding homeowners through their decision-making process.