Heat Pumps & Hydrogen Boilers: A Beginners Guide

What are the different types of heat pumps and what are the advantages/disadvantages ?

Both air and ground source heat pumps use FREE and sustainable outdoor energy to transform it to heat and hot water.  They also cost less to run than gas boiler systems.

Air source pumps - use the air from outside and are easier and cheaper to install than ground source. 

Ground source pumps - the heat in the ground is more stable than air therefore more efficient, but has larger space requirements to install and on average 2.5x more expensive to buy than air source solutions.

Where can you buy heat pumps and what do they cost? 

Vaillant seem to be a good place to start looking for heat pumps in the UK. Heat pumps prices range of £6,000 to £18,000. It is a big initial investment and that is where the government grants should help. The government are also promising that it should not cost more to run than gas boilers.  No doubt over time as they commoditise they will become more affordable in line with current heating solutions.

What are the problems with getting started? 

The cost at the start is going to be fairly large. Ideally it will be for new builds but will have to move to older homes especially as gas boilers won’t be available from 2035 onward. 

Also, there are few heating engineers who are specialised in this area, so they may have higher costs and a bit of a waiting list. Be sure to contact C. Anderson and Sons.

Is there a different solution to heat pumps? 

Yes, there is! Hydrogen. Now, this does fill me with a little bit of fear as I think back to the Hindenburg disaster but hydrogen is a solid solution for most homes as it can work with the existing infrastructure. It has lower installation cost and offers a transition solution with current gas boilers. 

How will hydrogen boilers for home heating work? 

Gas companies are keen on the adoption of this technology as it would require the least amount of overhaul and use current gas infrastructure. They would initially mix the hydrogen (20%) with natural gas (80%) (called Hydrogen Blend) and feed it into our homes as normal. The Hydrogen Blend would evidently work with most current gas boilers, but as they move to hydrogen only (no blend) then they'd need to be replaced with hydrogen boilers.

The only issue with producing hydrogen, is doing it cheaply. The technology is in its infancy but it is definitely coming. Worcester Bosh & Viessmann are leading the charge and are expected to released hydrogen-ready boilers ahead of hydrogen being inserted into the gas grid. Hydrogen/gas blend are currently being trialled with a roll out by 2025.  Read an interesting article about research by the Australian National University here, that allows hydrogen to be produced directly from solar energy – skipping the need for expensive electrolysers.

Can these solutions really make a difference to C02 reduction?

The times are changing and our heating methods must too. According to the Energy Savings Trust, if we are to reach the net zero carbon emissions target set by the UK Government, we will need to reduce the carbon emissions from heating our homes by 95% over the next 30 years.  Using free and sustainable energy sources such as heat pumps is a step in the right direction, as are some of the hydrogen technologies being developed provided they're safe, cost effective and energy efficient.

As long as we stick together, holding hands and reassuring ourselves we can do this, we can preserve the environment for the future. 

Anthony Boothe

Guest Blogger

Thinking about installing a heat pump for your home?

We install Vaillant and Worcester Bosch heat pumps as accerdiated partners. 

Call today on 0207 386 8888 for a free estimate, or via our booking form here.