Heat pumps are a greener replacement for fossil fuel-powered heating systems, such as gas boilers. They use electricity to operate at three to four times the efficiency of other options, including electric radiators, storage heaters and electric boilers. Already common in colder parts of Europe, heat pumps are set to replace millions of gas and oil boilers in the UK as the country moves toward renewable energy.

There are several types of heat pumps available, each suited to different contexts. Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) extract heat from the outside air, while ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) use underground pipework to draw heat from the ground. Both systems use this heat to warm the water running through a home’s taps, radiators or underfloor heating. In contrast, air-to-air heat pumps can provide heat by taking air from outside, warming it and releasing it directly into your home. 

Drawing on community discussions from Money Saving Expert (MSE), we used novel data science techniques to identify frequently asked questions (FAQs) raised by homeowners in posts about heat pumps, between January 2016 and June 2024. In the following sections we highlight these questions and share relevant information from installers, researchers and government resources. This includes information about different heat pump types; installation and running costs; noise levels; installation requirements; and tips for making the most of available grants. For more information about the methodology, you can read the dedicated section at the end of this publication.

We’ve highlighted and answered some of the most frequently asked questions about heat pumps asked by the MSE community. Click on the links below to explore more about each theme:

• Should I choose an air source or an air-to-air heat pump?
• What are the benefits of ground source heat pumps?
• Am I eligible for a grant to get a heat pump installed?
• What will my energy costs look like with a heat pump?
• Are heat pumps noisy and is there regulation on noise?
• How can I find a trustworthy installer?
• Will I need bigger radiators or underfloor heating?
• Does turning off the heat pump affect heating?
• How do I get a smart meter and ensure accurate billing?

The Get A Heat Pump website provides further clarification, resources and guidance to help homeowners make well-informed decisions about the future of their home heating. This information does not replace guidance provided by a heat pump professional, so make sure to ask any questions you have to your heat pump installer. To see a heat pump in action in a home similar to yours head over to the Visit A Heat Pump website to arrange a visit with a real-life heat pump owner in the UK.

The authors would like to acknowledge the sustainable future and data science teams at Nesta for the support and suggestions provided during the project. Particular thanks go to: Codrina Cretu, Andrew Sissons, Daniel Lewis, Oliver Zanetti and Max Wollard for reviewing and ensuring the quality of this publication, Elin Price for leading on communications and proofreading the article and Monique Sang for translating the content into a digital report design.