The number of air source heat pumps being installed is increasing and as we move towards achieving net zero, these figures are only going to increase. This renewable, low carbon technology presents installers with new opportunities to develop their businesses so in this blog, we are going address some of the misconceptions that heating engineers may have about air source heat pumps.
Air source heat pump technology has significantly evolved in recent years and while an old heat pump of yesteryear may have had a poor reputation, today, heat pumps are a reliable, low carbon heating solution which are going to play a major part in the future of the heating industry. More and more installers are completing heat pump training and adding this renewable technology to their business offering, strengthening their expertise and broadening their customer base. However, there are some ‘heat pump myths’ which are preventing some installers from stepping into the heat pump sector so let’s explore these, highlighting the facts and eliminating the myths!
Myth | Consumer demand for heat pumps is low
There can be no denying that homeowner interest in air source heat pumps is growing. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of their impact on the environment and are actively looking at ways in which they can reduce their carbon footprint. The Government’s Warm Homes Plan and strategy is shaping legislation that will move the market away from fossil fuels, making homeowners transition from high carbon heating systems to greener, more sustainable alternatives.
Understanding and education on low carbon heating technologies is more widespread as well so, overall, the awareness of heat pumps amongst the consumer market is increasing day by day which in turn will result in increased demand for installers. And with Government funding available to help homeowners pay for new heat pump installations, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales and the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme, financial support is encouraging uptake too.
Myth | Heat pumps are only suitable for new builds
Air source heat pumps are an ideal solution for new builds because the necessary energy-efficient measures can be installed during the early phases of a property’s build. However, that is not to say that an air source heat pump is solely suited to new homes – far from it. Grant Aerona heat pumps, for example, have been installed into many existing homes, being retrospectively fitted to replace an older heating system. A retrofit installation may involve the installation of additional roof or wall insulation or other measures to reduce heat loss from the property, but provided the entire system has been properly designed, with correctly sized heat emitters and the most suitable heat pump output, an older home can comfortably go green with an air source heat pump.
Read some of our case studies to see evidence of this and read one of our other blogs to learn about retrofit heat pump installations.
Myth | Heat pumps do not work efficiently in the winter months
If an air source heat pump has been installed correctly with the appropriate control parameters in place and with the rest of the system correctly set up as well, the unit will operate efficiently all year round. Heat pumps are designed to operate in low temperatures – Grant’s Aerona heat pumps can operate in conditions as low as -25ºC – and while their SCOPs will not be as efficient when compared to operation in warmer outdoor temperatures, they still operate with good efficiencies.
A heat pump will work considerably more in the winter months compared to the spring and summer but this should not be mistaken for inefficiency. Between November and February when a home’s heating and hot water demand is at its highest, a heat pump will use an estimated 63% of its annual energy usage so during these months, electricity usage can be expected to increase. However, this usage will significantly drop during the remaining months of the year when the heat pump’s energy consumption is very low.
Myth | Heat pump product training is not essential
It is incredibly important for installers who are not currently installing heat pumps to complete training on this technology before they start working with them. Without suitable heat pump product training to give installers a solid understanding of how heat pumps work and what maximises their performance, there is a risk of installations being completed incorrectly which can result in underperforming heat pumps and therefore unsatisfied end-users.
Air source heat pumps are different to install compared to a conventional boiler – a heat pump installation will not be a ‘like for like’ replacement installation and, as previously mentioned, thorough design preparation is needed – you can take a look at one of our other blogs to read more about what is involved in designing a heat pump system. Heat pump training from Grant UK is provided via practical courses at one of our Training Academies or online via the eLearning Academy so installers can choose the type of training that best suits them.
Becoming a heat pump installer
If you are interested in starting your journey into installing air source heat pumps, the Grant Team are here to support you from training through to support with your first heat pump installation and beyond. Here are just a few of the ways Grant UK can support you and your business:
- Free heat pump training courses at centres throughout England, Scotland and Wales – including R290 heat pump courses and heat pump system design training
- OFTEC and ERS Qualification courses at our approved Training Academy – read more about our OFTEC training and ERS courses
- Supply of award-winning air source heat pumps and complete package solutions – discover Grant’s complete product range including our Aerona³ R32 heat pump range and Aerona 290 heat pumps
- Support with heat pump system design and specification as well underfloor heating system designs – our dedicated in-house Design Team can help with heat loss calculations, quotations and much more
- Join our G1 Installer loyalty programme – access a range of benefits including extended product guarantees, company profile on the Grant UK website, rewards, branded merchandise, marketing support for your business and more. Learn more about the G1 Installer Scheme here.
- Benefit from our MCS Umbrella Scheme for your Grant heat pump installations – G1 heat pump installers can also access Grant UK’s MCS Partner Heat Pump Go to offer MCS certified heat pump installations to their customers.
The myths we have covered here are the ones that commonly arise amongst installers so hopefully this blog has helped dispel them. There are also other heat pump myths that concern householders so please head over to our Knowledge Hub where we address those misconceptions as well.
This blog was originally published on 28th June 2021 and updated on 4th July 2025.