2026-09-12 22:05 UTC
@edavies@functional.cafe Converting a house to a heat pump is usually quite a lot of work. For an air-to-water system, just the unit itself is more than the full installed cost of a gas boiler. In addition most installs need a new hot water tank and significant pipework alterations. Many will need upgrades to radiators.
Unlike with EVs there's not a clear fuel benefit over gas. HPs being much more efficient, is counterbalanced by the relative cost of electricity. The vast majority are not prepared to pay £10k+ for a system which involves a disruptive install and then may only save a small amount in running cost.
I don't have any comparable data, but from what I've seen, I don't think UK installs are more expensive than in France or Germany.
Replies (1)
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@jpnp@mas.to 2026-09-12 22:17
@edavies@functional.cafe It wouldn't surprise me if the BUS grant increased profitability of installers, and there are certainly administrative costs, though these have reduced with technology and outsourcing to umbrella schemes (and in any case might be £100s not £1000s). We are well short of having enough competent installers to meet the government targets for installations (which are low compared to a climate optimal path) . It's not clear that those businesses who do switch being profitable is a bad outcome.