25 September 2025
|
Darran Burrage, commercial director at CTC-UK, busts outdated myths about the cost, performance, and installation of heat pumps, stating that education and clearer communication are key to increasing uptake and meeting climate goals.
The climate change debate may be largely settled, but turning awareness into real action is proving to be the bigger challenge. While most people agree that we need to cut emissions, persuading households to make greener choices still requires a major push.
The UK Government has set an ambitious target of heat pump installations: 600,000 installations a year by 2028. Yet despite record growth in 2024, the actual figure was still only about one-tenth of what’s needed. So, with generous grants now making heat pumps as affordable, or sometimes even cheaper, than gas boilers, the pressing question remains: what will convince more people to make the switch?
Myth 1: “Heat pumps don’t work in cold weather”
This is perhaps the easiest misconception to demolish. Norway, the coldest mainland country in Europe with an average annual temperature of just 2.9°C, has the highest heat pump uptake, 635 per 1,000 homes. Finland and Sweden, also far colder than the UK, follow close behind.
By contrast, Britain’s average temperature is a relatively mild 10°C, yet we’ve only installed 15 heat pumps per 1,000 homes. The evidence is clear, if Scandinavia can thrive with heat pumps through freezing winters, so can we.
Myth 2: “They’re too expensive to run”
It’s true that UK electricity prices are among the highest in Europe, while gas is unusually cheap. On the surface, that might suggest heat pumps cost more to operate. But this ignores their efficiency advantage.
The latest models are up to four times more efficient than gas boilers, meaning that in practice, running costs are already similar. And the financial case is only set to improve as more households shift to renewable electricity, unit costs will fall, while gas, used by fewer people, will inevitably rise, even before factoring in carbon taxes. So not only are heat pumps environmentally smart, they’re also a sound long-term investment.
Myth 3: “They’re only for new builds, and the installation is a nightmare”
Another common belief is that heat pumps only work in brand-new homes, or that installing one means moving out temporarily. Both claims are wide of the mark.
Take the example of Enfield, North London, where 400 flats across eight tower blocks were retrofitted with heat pumps. The work was completed in just 12 months, with residents staying put the entire time, and they’re now enjoying energy bills up to 50% lower.
As for disruption, modern installations are far smoother than many assume. The “faff factor” is more myth than reality.
Other barriers: Planning rules and noise concerns
A survey by Octopus Energy found that one in three households are deterred by planning restrictions. That’s why the Government’s move to scrap the rule preventing heat pump installations within one metre of a neighbour’s boundary is so significant. But the public needs to hear about these changes.
Then there’s the noise myth. In reality, heat pumps produce no more sound than a standard fridge, hardly the disturbance some fear.
A turning point
The Government’s Warm Homes Plan signals a real shift: doubling funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, loosening planning rules, and offering major grants to housing associations and public facilities. All of this underscores a clear commitment to speeding up the transition.
But success won’t come just from policies and funding, it will hinge on communication. If the UK can replace outdated myths with proven facts, more households will see heat pumps for what they really are: affordable, reliable, and essential for a greener future.
