The UK is on a mission to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and eco-friendly heat pumps are at the forefront of this journey towards a sustainable future. Use refrigeration technology to regulate the temperature and provide both heat and cooling, this leads to lower electricity consumption and overall lower running costs.
But how much electricity does a heat pump use? Find out here, plus how to reduce consumption and what to expect from the running costs.
What Makes Heat Pumps Energy-Efficient?
The first thing you hear about heat pumps is that they’re energy-efficient. You can learn about their heating and cooling capabilities later on, but the major selling point is their high energy efficiency compared to other devices, like gas boilers.
So what makes heat pumps efficient?
Heat pumps rely on already-existing sources to regulate your house’s temperature. They extract heat from the ground, air or water and channel it into your house, or vice versa. In simpler words, they merely move heat from one place to another rather than generating it. Instead of using electricity to generate heat, they use it to move heat, accounting for lower consumption.
If a traditional heating system is capable of converting one unit of fuel into less than one unit of heat, a heat pump is capable of converting one unit of electricity into three or four units of heat, making it much more energy-efficient.
How Much Electricity Does A Heat Pump Use?
A heat pump needs around 1 kWh of electricity to extract/convert 3–4 kWh of heat. If we assume a property is a typical 3-bedroom and the climate is stable, then it will likely need around 8100 kWh of heat annually.
That means the heat pump will use around 2700 kWh of electricity per year. However, that number is largely variable depending on many factors, most importantly the type of heat pump and its efficiency.
Different Types Of Heat Pumps & Their Consumption
Heat pumps are either air-source, ground-source, or water-source. Here’s the average yearly consumption of each type, but it differs according to a property’s needs:
- Air-source heat pump: 3800 kWh
- Ground-source heat pump: 2550 kWh
- Water-source heat pump: 2100 kWh
Ground-source and water-source heat pumps are more costly and complex to install, but in the long term, they’re more cost-efficient because they consume less electricity. Air-source heat pumps deal with higher temperature fluctuations, leading to more electricity consumption.
On top of that, the air has a lower heat density and capacity than the ground or water, which causes air-source pumps to consume more electricity to be able to generate more heat.
Coefficient Of Performance
The coefficient of performance (CoP) measures the heat pump’s power input compared to the heat output. Meanwhile, the seasonal coefficient of performance (SCoP) measures the same data but over an entire heating season.
CoP may differ across seasons depending on the temperature. For example, during the coldest part of the winter, the heat pump will work harder, consuming more electricity.
Anyway, the electricity consumption of a heat pump may differ according to its coefficient of performance. Pumps with a higher CoP use less electricity.
If a pump has a CoP of 4, that means it needs 10kW of electricity to generate 40kW of heat. As the number grows, the heat generated increases while the electricity consumed stays put, translating to lower running costs.
You can calculate how much electricity a heat pump uses by dividing the total heat requirement over a period of time by the CoP. If we assume you need 10,000 kWh of heat throughout the year, a heat pump with a CoP of 4 will consume 2500 kWh of electricity on average.
Meanwhile, a heat pump with a CoP of 3 will consume 3,333 kWh of electricity to generate the same amount of heat.
How To Estimate The Electricity Consumption Of Your Heat Pump
Estimating the electricity consumption of your heat pump is a hard feat. Even a well-established contractor may give you a vague answer because there are too many variables, most importantly climate, which is hard to predict on its own.
To get a good estimation, we recommend exploring similar houses to your own and their current energy consumption. If they’re in the same area as yours, the climate is the same, so the hardest variable to tackle is out of the way.
A different method is to collect heating and cooling bills over a long period of time, and then adjusting the numbers according to the efficiency of the heat pump you want to buy.
Other Factors That May Affect the Electricity Consumption Of Your Heat Pump
You may have an average estimation of how much electricity a heat pump will use, but that doesn’t necessarily apply to your heat pump. The consumption may vary depending on plenty of factors, including the size of your pump, the size of your house, insulation, etc.
- Heat pump size: A larger heat pump will typically consume more electricity than a smaller one because of its higher capacity to move heat. It’s better to consult a contractor to size the heat pump correctly for your home. A larger size can be either more efficient or less efficient, depending on your house.
- Climate: Heat pumps in colder areas may consume more electricity because they have to work harder to extract heat. They’ll also probably run for longer periods, leading to a higher electricity consumption.
- Insulation: A heat pump working in an insulated house typically consumes less electricity. Insulation keeps heat inside during winter, which means the heat pump doesn’t have to work as hard. Additionally, insulation maintains temperatures for longer, reducing the need for the heat pump to keep cycling on and off.
- Thermostat settings: The way you set your thermostat may impact the energy consumption of your heat pump. Higher heating or lower cooling settings typically cause the heat pump to consume more electricity to run harder.
- Maintenance: Poorly maintained heat pumps may have to work harder to extract heat. Issues like unclean filters or leaks can cause higher electricity consumption—that’s why regular maintenance is essential.
- Supplementary heating: Some heat pumps in extremely cold areas have supplementary electric heaters. When activated, these heaters consume considerably more electricity.
- The efficiency rating (CoP): A heat pump’s efficiency rating measures the heat output compared to the electricity input. Heat pumps that have higher ratings typically consume less electricity and are more efficient than their counterparts.
How To Lower the Electricity Consumption Of Your Heat Pump
If high energy bills are straining your monthly budget, there are ways to lower the electricity consumption of your heat pump. That way, you can use the most out of it without paying any more than you have to:
Maintain The Heat Pump Regularly
Maintenance is a headache—we’ll give you that. But unfortunately, it’s the best way to keep your heat pump working effectively and reduce running costs. A poorly maintained heat pump can use up to 25% more energy—your budget doesn’t need that.
If your pump has to deal with functional struggles, it’ll work harder, consuming more electricity. Likewise, if the air filters are clogged, the heat pump will push harder to let the air inside.
Don’t miss regular maintenance and make sure to check the fan regularly to clear out any stuck debris.
Track & Maintain Temperatures
If your heat pump has a programmable thermostat, use it to set suitable temperatures to make sure the pump isn’t running unnecessarily.
Lowering the thermostat by merely one degree can reduce your energy bills by 2.5%, and you won’t even feel the difference. It’s up to you to keep changing it until you reach the optimal temperature.
You should also consider maintaining the same temperature without constantly turning it up and down. The heat pump will use more power to change the temperature, and you can easily avoid that.
Install Solar Panels
Heat pumps and solar panels can work together to create an eco-friendly heating system. Solar panels will capture sunlight and convert it into electricity, and heat pumps will use this electricity to extract heat and channel it inside your house. And when the sun isn’t shining, the heat pump will use the excess electricity generated by solar panels and stored in batteries.
It’s a win-win situation. On the one hand, you’re relying on a renewable source for electricity, reducing your carbon footprint. On the other hand, you’re lowering your energy bills by using electricity generated at your house.
It’s worth noting that solar panels are costly to install, but in the long term, their benefits are undeniable.
Close The Doors
This one is pretty obvious, but most people don’t know how much energy gets wasted due to one open door or window. When your heat pump is running, close any windows and doors around. This way, you’ll make sure every penny you pay is buying actual energy rather than going to waste.
The Running Costs Of A Heat Pump
The high upfront cost of heat pumps is a turn-off for many people. What they don’t know is that heat pumps have lower running costs than most heating and cooling solutions, making them worth it in the long term.
These costs will differ depending on the size of your house, your consumption, and the climate in your area, but we’ll give you average estimates.
On average, an air-source heat pump in a 2000-square-foot house will cost you around £300–£900 a year, considering it’s working efficiently without functional problems.
A water-source or a ground-source heat pump will only cost you around £200–£750 because it’s more efficient.
If you’re eligible for a grant, installing a heat pump will be incredibly cost-efficient. Get in touch with us and we’ll help you figure it out.
How Much In Energy Bills Does a Heat Pump Save?
If you’re still cautious about installing a heat pump, looking at numbers may convince you. If you have an old gas boiler, replacing it with an air-source heat pump will save an average of £335 per year. Even if the boiler is relatively new or in great condition, a new heat pump will still save you around £260 yearly.
A ground or water-source heat pump will save even more money because it’ll consume less electricity.
On the other hand, if you’re replacing an old electric storage heater, a heat pump will save you a whopping annual sum of £940.
Your electric heater is new and you’re not sure you want to change it? A heat pump will still cost you £680 less per year.
Of course, these estimations may vary according to your house’s size and other variables, but it all boils down to the conclusion that heat pumps save a great deal of energy compared to other solutions.
Final Thoughts
Heat pumps are more energy efficient than most heating solutions, but the upfront cost of installing them is relatively high. Nonetheless, you’ll be making a long-term investment that’ll greatly benefit you and the environment in the long-term.Contact our team to find out if you’re eligible for a grant for your heat pump.