Are Air Source Heat Pumps Suitable For Older Houses?

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), one in six homes in the UK was built before 1900, typically lacking the benefit of modern insulation. As the government urges a transition toward greener home heating solutions such as air source heat pumps, the question property owners are asking is ‘are air source heat pumps viable in old houses?’

At Rollings Renewables, we’ve been helping homeowners upgrade to greener energy systems since 2002. We’ve put together this complete guide to explain why air source heat pumps in old houses might be the perfect solution.

Read on to learn more, or to speak directly to an expert, just call 01905 621777. 

Can Old Houses Have Heat Pumps Installed? 

Let’s get right to the point: do air source heat pumps in old houses make sense? Absolutely. Heat pumps work by extracting warmth from the air outside your property and transfer it indoors. This is a proven, straightforward concept of domestic heating that has been in use for almost 200 years.

As the Energy Saving Trust found during a study of 742 heat pump installations in three regions of the UK, the main factor that determines how efficient heat pumps are at warming a home is how well insulated it is, not how old it is, as with any form of central heating. While it’s true that older homes are likely to be less well insulated, it doesn’t mean that heat pumps won’t work for these properties. This is especially true with the growing range of high-power air source heat pumps, designed to produce more intense heat, and the plethora of retrofitted insulation options. For more information about heat pumps in different types of homes, make sure to check out our blog post on heat pumps in flats. 

Benefits of Air Source Heat Pumps in Older Properties 

The main benefit of air source heat pumps in any home is efficiency. Heat pumps produce between 300% and 400% more energy per unit of electricity than traditional heating systems. This means not only are they far more environmentally friendly than other forms of central heating, but they are also often more cost-effective. And, because they run on electricity alone, they can be powered by renewable energy, further reducing their environmental footprint.

Heat pumps also work by providing lower temperature heat more consistently, meaning your inside temperature won’t rollercoaster up and down like with a gas boiler. Instead, a heat pump will keep your home at a comfortable temperature all day long and still consume less energy in the process.

Until 2028, you can claim a £7,500 grant towards the cost of a heat pump installation under the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This is open to anyone replacing their fossil fuel heating system, such as a gas boiler, provided you own your property and have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). 

Considerations When Installing Air Source Heat Pumps in Old Houses 

When installing an air source heat pump in an old house, there are a few things to consider.

Insulation

As with any form of central heating, heat pumps perform at their best in homes that are well insulated. Because older properties tend to be more poorly insulated, it’s extra important to consider insulation. Draughty windows and uninsulated walls and roofs can cause your heat pump to work overtime to keep your home warm, reducing its efficiency.

It might be worth fitting your home with extra insulation to allow your heat pump to operate at peak efficiency, ensuring you see the best possible return on investment.

Space

Air source heat pumps require space inside your home as well as outside. The space needed inside will likely be no more than your existing boiler occupies, depending on your chosen system. However, you will also need space outside your property for the bulk of your system to sit. Most heat pumps will require no more than 1m² of outdoor space.

Property Size

Larger properties take more energy to heat. This isn’t necessarily an obstacle, but you should factor in the size of your home when choosing which heat pump system to install. If your home is larger, you may want to opt for a more powerful heat pump.

Radiators

The final consideration is your existing radiators. If your home still features older radiators, such as cast-iron units, you may need to replace them with larger, modern alternatives.

Because heat pumps operate at a lower temperature than gas boilers, they need to be able to emit more heat at once. Larger radiators help transfer more heat to the inside of your property, boosting the efficiency of your heat pump. An alternative solution is underfloor heating. While this is typically more costly to install, it gives a very large surface area for efficient heat transfer. 

Conclusion 

So, in summary, you can install air source heat pumps in old houses, but there are some things to consider. You may need to make some other upgrades to your property in order to get the best out of your new system, but the trade-offs are drastic improvements in efficiency and lower energy consumption.

If you’re considering installing a heat pump in your older property, now is arguably the best time to do so, while the government is still offering substantial grants, which are due to end in 2028. 

Air Source Heat Pumps With Rollings Renewables 

The team at Rollings Renewables has been helping homeowners across the Midlands make the switch to green energy for more than 20 years. As well as solar panel installation and battery storage units, we offer a range of high-quality air source heat pumps from leading manufacturers. To get started, just book a free consultation today by calling 01905 621777, emailing sales@rollingsrenewables.co.uk or filling out our contact form.