Pauline von HellermannMar 16

#ClimateDiary We are in intense #Heatpump vs new boiler discussions in our household at the moment, and it is quite something how geopolitics and radiators (and other practicalities like: will the humming be loud?) all swirl through my head at once.

(Our house is old, terraced and high ceilings - it looks like it’s not impossible but challenging. Costs come into it too, of course. Also worried on this front: might geopolitics mean i will not earn any money next few years?)

Show threadSeanBurlington 🌈 🕊️Mar 16

@pvonhellermannn I think the anxiety about heat pump noise is very much driven by the fossil fuel lobby

Have you ever heard anyone complain about the noise of air conditioning ?

(air conditioners and heat pumps are the same thing just used in different ways)

This isn't to say I can promise nobody will ever complain about the noise - sounds can trigger very emotional reactions

But it isn't actually about them being loud.

Show threadClimate Jenny 2.1Mar 16

@sean @pvonhellermannn Yes, that's my thought too. It does make some noise, but so did the air conditioner it replaced.

In my climate, the savings are substantial in the summer, and it's about equal to gas heat during the coldest months. This may change going forward!

Show threadPauline von HellermannMar 16
@ClimateJenny @sean thank you both - all really helpful, again. And yes, goong forward i am wondering too whether gas might become substantially more expensive, in which case heatpump definitely cheaper!
Show threadbencourticeMar 16
@pvonhellermannn @ClimateJenny @sean the need for summer cooling, even if just for a few days a year, has most Australians installing heat pump/aircon now. And gradually most are realising that (with our energy prices) it's cheaper than gas to heat the house for the 3-6 months that we need to do that (in southern Australia). The main complaints seem to be that some prefer radiant heat to warm (dry) air, but that's probably because a lot of our homes are not very airtight or well insulated.
Show threadSeanBurlington 🌈 🕊️

@bencourtice @pvonhellermannn @ClimateJenny in the UK domestic Aircon is very unusual

In order to encourage transition from gas boilers to heat pumps the government is offering a subsidy which only applies to heat pumps that heat via radiators

They don't offer cooling

You can get air to air systems here which offer both heating and cooling - you just can't get the subsidy for them

Mar 16 at 7:27pmWeb
Show threadSolar🌄GardenMar 16

@pvonhellermannn from the Politico heat-pump article I posted earlier

"I later discovered the company Warmur*, who provide a survey service that charges one upfront fee, but allow multiple installers to provide quotes based on the same report. It's the first of many things I wish I’d known earlier."

https://www.warmur.co.uk/

@sean @bencourtice @ClimateJenny

Warmur

Helping homeowners to accurately predict running costs for Heat Pumps, Solar PV, Battery & Off Peak Tariffs

Show threadmichaelokarimiaMar 16

@sean @bencourtice @pvonhellermannn @ClimateJenny

As of November 2025 the UK government offers £2,500 grant for Air to Air Source Heat Pumps (which can do cooling). Also Heat batteries come under the same scheme

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/discounts-for-families-to-keep-warm-in-winter-and-cool-in-summer

Discounts for families to keep warm in winter and cool in summer

Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been expanded to include air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries giving families more choice in how they upgrade their home.

GOV.UK
Show threadSeanBurlington 🌈 🕊️Mar 17

@michaelokarimia @bencourtice @pvonhellermannn @ClimateJenny

Interesting - sounds like it isn't available just yet though

https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/air-to-air-heat-pump-bus-grant-explained/

Air-to-Air Heat Pump BUS Grant Explained

Discover the latest changes to the BUS Scheme, including £2,500 grants for Air-to-Air Heat Pumps. Get the full scoop on eligibility and implications here.

Renewable Heating Hub
Show threadCharlie StyrMar 17
@sean they also removed VAT on it fairly recently (as in, the last few years) I think.
Show threadMike 🇬🇧 🇪🇺Mar 19
@sean @bencourtice @pvonhellermannn @ClimateJenny
I'd heard that there's likely to be a UK government subsidiary coming 'soon' for air to air