Get started with heat pumps
We’ve published new information about installing heat pumps on our website.
A film featuring a Hove resident showing what it’s like to install and live with a heat pump is now in our Decarbonisation Menu.
The new menu brings together information to help people make their home or business energy efficient and install insulation, heat pumps and solar power.
National research has shown that the main barriers to people installing heat pumps is money and lack of information. *
In the film, Tim Rowkins, Cabinet member for Net Zero, talks to Louis Stupple-Harris about the process of getting and installing a heat pump.
*National Audit Office March 2024
Comparing heat pumps with gas boilers
One of the most surprising aspects of Louis’ experience was that, with the government’s heat pump grant of £7,500, the cost was half that of a new gas boiler.
Heat pumps keep the temperature in the home at a constant temperature year-round but, depending on the type of property, can still work out cheaper to run. Louis’ home was an ideal candidate for a heat pump. It has cavity wall insulation and double glazing, and the running costs for heating and hot water in the home is working out at around 10-15% lower than when Louis had a gas boiler.
Visit a heat pump near you
Louis is a host on the national Visit a heat pump scheme, where you can visit a heat pump in a home near you. The scheme is free and you can hear first-hand what it’s like to live with a heat pump. You can visit Louis on Sunday 15 June. Sign up on the website to book a place.
Louis said: “Our boiler didn’t need replacing immediately, but we thought let’s just go for it because it’s eco-friendly and we’re reducing our carbon emissions. It’s been surprisingly valuable and low-cost.”
Councillor Rowkins said: “What this shows is that installing a heat pump can be surprisingly cost-effective, as well as energy-efficient and better for the climate. Of course there are many different types of property, and over time we want to share how people are installing heat pumps in older properties, flats and heritage buildings.
“One of the biggest challenges is knowing where to go to get comprehensive advice and guidance. We hope our Decarbonisation Menu will be a useful starting point and is something we can grow and develop, with more information and case studies to support the city on its journey to net zero.”
The city currently emits around 800,000 tonnes of CO2 or equivalent greenhouse gases, and the lion’s share of these emissions come from domestic heating and transport. Most homes (86%) are heated by gas, mostly through gas boilers, and 97% of cars are still petrol or diesel.
Watch the films and find out more
Find more information about low carbon energy for your home and business
Becoming a net zero city is part of our council’s plan to tackle inequality, improve air quality, create better homes and reduce energy bills.