Are Heat Pumps Worth It in the UK? Plus: Tool Theft, Biogas, and Central Heating Tips

In this article, we’ll give you a summary of the topics discussed on Episode 5 of our Piped Up Podcast: Biggest Tool Theft Ever, Biogas vs Heat Pumps, and Vaillant Wins (Kind Of). We cover what’s going on in the world of heating, if heat pumps are worth it (and is it better to use biogas instead), we play a game, and we’ve got the results of what you think is the best boiler brand. 

What’s Going on in the World of Heating: The News

When we talk about tool theft: 00:00:15

The Great Tool Theft

Have you heard this genuinely brilliant piece of news? Police have recovered what's believed to be the largest stash of stolen tools ever found in the UK. Yep – that’s right. We’re talking about roughly £2 million worth of tools, spread across 10 lorry loads seized in a raid in Ilford, East London. That’s a lot of tools.

But how did they find them?

A tradesperson left an AirTag on the stolen equipment, and they managed to track it to the warehouse. At the time of writing this, three people have been arrested. Officers believe the tools were being resold online and shipped across the UK and Europe. They’re now working to reunite tradespeople with their (much missed) gear.

Having your tools stolen can have a serious impact on your livelihood and even your mental health. On our podcast, we explore how the MET has heard stories of how builders are losing work after having their tools stolen. It’s not a case of they can pop to the shop and replace what’s missing. Stolen tools can put them out of business for weeks – or even months. 

Tips for Protecting Your Tools

• You can put tags on your tools. A lot of them are almost invisible, which means the thief won’t even know they’re there. (Watch them try and sell them on now!)

• Some brands now have a Bluetooth device, which actually locks the tool. You have to connect the tool to your phone – only then will it unlock it for you to use it.

Stay vigilant – and protect your tools!

Moving on…

How Ed Miliband's 15 Billion Pound New Warm Homes Plan Could Make Way for Cowboy Builders

When we talk about the new warm homes plan: 00:12:37

Everyone is talking about Ed Miliband's 15 billion pound new warm homes plan, but Trading Standards are saying this might not be the win we think it is. This scheme could actually open up the door for cowboy builders targeting homeowners who want to install heat pipes, insulation, solar panels, and more.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) says similar past schemes have led to poor quality work and outright fraud, including: 

• Badly sized heat pumps

• High energy bills 

• Insulation that causes damp and mould

They also found that nearly one in five homeowners is put off applying for the scheme because they don't know how to find a trustworthy installer. Due to this, the CTSI is now calling for mandatory licensing for installers. If it came into effect, this would make it illegal to carry out this work without proper accreditation.

But how would it look? Well, we imagine it would kind of be similar to a Gas-Safe Register, but for heat pumps, solar panels, and more.

So, How Could the 15 Billion Pound New Warm Homes Plan Attract Cowboy Builders?

The government is now rolling out 15 billion pounds allocated for things like solar, heat pumps, and other installations for lower-income households. This means people are likely to jump on the bandwagon, whether they have the skills to complete the job or not. This could bring major issues.

When homeowners hire someone without proper accreditation, they could end up with mouldy homes (which can have huge effects on people’s health) and a whole host of other issues. Cowboy builders see this government-funded scheme as an easy way to make money. This ultimately ends up with homeowners forking out their own money to get the problems fixed.

So, Should There be a Mandatory License for Installers?

Yes! It may not be as rigorous as Gas-Safe certifications, but something similar would be a great shout. For example, when people complete illegal gas installations, those people can be prosecuted. This means there’s a consequence if you do gas work unlicensed.

This is what Trading Standards are calling for – there has to be some kind of license system in place. For installers, this means there will likely be a lot of paperwork and documentation involved, but this means builders and installers are also covering themselves. They’ll be able to prove they’ve done a good job.

With a Certified Installer Scheme, there could also be random spot checks. This is where an inspector will come and look at the installer’s work, confirm they’re doing a good job, or give feedback. If the work turns out to be unsafe, the installer in question could even be placed under investigation or lose their license. This sets the standard for everyone else because other installers think, “I still want to be on the scheme – I'd better make sure I’m doing a good job.”

It's as simple as that.

[Image by MAXSHOT on Canva.]

Heat Pumps and the Dale Vince Report

When we start talking about head pumps: 00:22:37

Dale Vince is the founder of a green energy company called Ecotricity. He’s just released a new report about heat pumps that those in the heat pump industry aren’t too happy about.

Before We Get Into It: What are Heat Pumps?

Heat pumps are electric heating systems that move heat from outside (air, ground, or water) into your home and hot water, instead of generating heat by burning gas or oil.

The main types of heat pumps in the UK include:

• Air source heat pumps - This type of pump takes heat from the outside air. Air source heat pumps are the most common type for UK homes.

• Ground source heat pumps - These use pipes in the ground to collect heat. Ground source heat pumps are very efficient, but need garden or land for the ground loop.

But are heat pumps worth it in the UK - and will heat pumps save you money?

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

Heat pumps work a bit like a fridge in reverse: a refrigerant and compressor capture low-temperature heat from outside and “upgrade” it to a higher temperature for your radiators, underfloor heating, and cylinder.

Why Do Some People’s Heat Pump Bills Go Up Instead of Down?

We're told heat pumps are more efficient and better for the environment, cutting carbon emissions significantly, but are they cheaper to run? The Dale Vince Report shows that electricity costs roughly four times more than gas, which means that a heat pump needs to be about four times more efficient to break even.

In reality, we've found that heat pumps run around three times the efficiency, which is what is pushing homeowners' bills up rather than down.

Nearly seven in 10 homeowners surveyed have reported that their heating costs have increased since installing a heat pump. This means that most homeowners haven't seen the savings they were expecting to see.

The report questions whether heat pump systems have been rolled out too quickly into homes. Especially ones that aren't properly insulated or suitable. Heat pumps could be leaving some households worse off than if they simply installed traditional boilers.

Other factors contributing to the high running costs of heat pumps:

• Heat pumps that aren't designed well enough and are using a lot of electricity.

• Older houses (not new builds) tend to use more electricity.

• Heat pumps that aren’t being installed properly.

• If we had more nuclear power plants, this would drive down electricity prices.

Are Standard Radiators Big Enough for a Heat Pump Retrofit?

We visited a house recently that felt nice and warm, and their heat pump was working well. However, the customer wasn’t happy with their heat pump and wanted to get a gas line put in, which would be incredibly expensive. This customer was paying 40 pounds a day for electricity, which is a lot of money.

However, it was clear that the radiators weren't sized properly for their home and heat pump, which meant their heating system wasn't efficient. The customer needed much larger radiators in order to lower running costs.

The Importance of Having Properly Sized Radiators

Whether you have a gas boiler, an electric boiler, or a heat pump, it's essential to have properly sized radiators in your home. Radiators that are too small for your space will not provide the heat you need to keep your home heated. This means you'll end up turning up your system's temperature and running up your heat costs.

In order to find the right-sized radiator for your home, you need to be able to calculate the right heat output.

Where to Find Properly Sized Radiators

At UK Radiators, we offer a range of fantastic radiator options for the modern home. It doesn't matter whether you have a traditional heating system or a heat pump installed - we offer some of the most efficient radiators for all heating systems. Our central heating radiators will fit perfectly into your heating system and your home. We also offer radiators in a range of styles, from traditional column radiators to modern double-panel radiators.

[Image from UKRadiators.]

Is Biogas a Realistic Alternative to Heat Pumps in the UK?

The Dale Vince Report believes that heat pumps should be in some homes. It’s part of the solution, for sure. However, it also argues that biogas should be used as an alternative, with a gas network. 

The argument is that using biogas would cost far less than converting every home to electric heating. This is because you can produce biogas from grass and green waste, then put it through the gas network.

Boilers may need some modification, but the overall infrastructure cost would be much lower.

That said, heat pump experts believe that if you have a proper system design, including correctly sized radiators, heat pumps can work in 99% of UK homes.

The Future of Heat Pumps & Other Heating Solutions

In terms of energy, we don't know where we're going to be in ten, or even five years' time. If electricity becomes cheap enough, all homes could have electric heating. This goes beyond heat pumps – it could include panel radiators, electric heaters, and air conditioners. Not to mention, with the development of new technologies thanks to AI, we may have even more answers and heating solutions in the future.

However, that doesn't mean heat pumps are worthless. With heat pumps, you can get up to five hundred percent efficiency in comparison to other solutions, such as standalone electric radiators or heaters. Standalone heaters are considered a hundred percent efficient at the point of use, which means whatever energy you put into the heater is the energy you'll get out. If you put a thousand watts of energy in, you’ll get a thousand watts back out.

However, with heat pumps, if you use a thousand watts of energy, the heat pump will move four thousand watts of heat.

That said, the main problem is the cost of electricity.

The Heat Pumps Engineer Dilemma

One problem with heat pumps is that many gas engineers don't know how to install heat pumps. Badly designed installs are a key reason nearly 7 in 10 heat pump owners reported higher bills — it's not always the technology at fault, but the installation quality.

However, air conditioning and refrigeration engineers would be some of the best people to retrain as domestic heat pump installers, as they already understand the refrigerant/heat exchange side from commercial HVAC work. Commercial heat pumps have been used for 30 – 40 years, which means the technology is well understood in that sector.

Gas engineers would face a bigger knowledge gap when it comes to learning how to install heat pumps. 

But regardless of what heating system you’re having installed, it’s important to ensure you find a trustworthy installer.

System Maintenance: Our Magnetic Filter Hack

When we start talking about this hack: 00:34:02

Magnetic filters sit in heating systems and collect magnetite, which is a type of metallic sludge or debris that circulates in heating systems. To maintain the system, we need to take this filter out yearly, wash all the sludge off, and put it back in. This protects the boiler, as well as the radiator valves and other radiator accessories or components, from getting covered in debris and sludge that may affect its performance.

Magnetic filters have different keys; however, finding the key can be a pain.

A quick hack is using fuel filter grip tools (which you can get for only £8 on Amazon) to remove magnetic filters. They have serrated metal teeth that bite onto the filter cap, working as a "one size fits all" tool for all filter sizes - without damaging the filter.

Other Resources on System Maintenance

If you're in need of even more hacks and tips for keeping the heating system running as it should, see our article on How to Fix Common Radiator Valve Problems. Knowing how to flush a radiator can help you get rid of sludge and debris that may be impacting your radiator's performance.

[Image from UKRadiators.]

Fault-Finding Quiz

Here at UK Radiators, we love a game. Here are some of the quiz questions we answered on our version of Wheel of Fortune. And not to brag – but we did pretty great. How many quiz questions did you get right?

Does Turning the Thermostat Higher Heat Your Home Faster?

Nope – this is a myth. 

Turning your thermostat higher will actually only waste energy. The thermostat doesn’t tell the system how hard to heat the room, so asking for 28°C instead of 20°C won’t increase the rate of heat output.

What Fitting Allows Two Different Pipe Materials to be Joined Safely?

A compression fitting allows two different pipe materials (like copper and plastic) to join safely – specifically compression to plastic.

Do Bigger Radiators Always Cost More to Run?

Nope, this is false - bigger radiators don't always cost more to run, which means they won't affect your central heating bill. If you want to choose the right radiator size for your home, you need to make sure the radiator has the right output for the room’s heat loss (often calculated in BTU or watts). Calculating the right radiator output is easy with our BTU calculator.

If a Room Takes Much Longer to Warm Up Than the Rest of the House, What’s the Reason?

A few things can cause a room to take much longer to warm up compared to the rest of the house:

• The system isn't balanced correctly

• The radiator is covered or blocked

• There's sludge build-up in the radiator

• Heat loss (poor window insulation) and undersized radiators

• Air is trapped in the radiator (with this, your radiator may need bleeding. See how to bleed a radiator.)

• Seized the thermostatic radiator valve with the pin stuck closed. See our article on How to Fix Common Radiator Valve Problems.

However, if your radiator's not heating up at all, check out this guide.

If the Radiators Are Hot Downstairs and Cold Upstairs, What's your First Check?

First and foremost, check that the system is balanced. To balance a heating system simply means to distribute the flow from the boiler and the pump throughout all the radiators in your home. However, before you can balance your radiator, you need to have a sound understanding of exactly how heat flows through your house.

Need more info? Our full guide on how to balance radiators has got you covered.

The Boiler Brand Winner: Your Opinion

On our last podcast, we asked you which was the best boiler brand. And you delivered. We had over 250 comments, and the gas engineers of the internet came to the conclusion that:

• The winner was Valiant, with the most shout-outs and likes.

• Top picks included: Worcester, Bosch, Baxi, and Ideal. 

This was all based on easy installs, easy servicing, availability of parts, and fewer weekend call-outs.

Your Questions, Answered

Here are some of the most common questions and comments you’ve been sending in:

If I'm Renting, Can I Get a Heat Pump?

Unfortunately, if you're renting, you likely won’t get a choice in what heating system you have. Since your landlord owns the home, they’ll choose whether you have a heat pump or a gas boiler.

That said, there’s no harm in asking whether you can have a heat pump installed – especially if you’re due for an upgrade.

If There's a Gas Boiler Penalty, Who's Responsible: The Landlord or the Tenant?

The current government is more pro-tenant than pro-landlord, which means the penalty will likely fall on the landlord, and they will be responsible for paying it. 

What Can You Do If You Can’t Access or Replace a Gas Pipe in a Block of Flats?

We had a job a few years back where there was a big block of flats, and it had a commercial gas pipe running through the car park. The pipe was exposed, and there was a bad leak. The flat agency wouldn’t let us get the floor up or run the pipe outside and rerun it into the flat because it was someone else’s wall. In the end, we had to put in an electric boiler. Even though it was expensive, this was the only option – a heat pump wasn’t possible.

Conclusion

We've covered a lot in this article, from whether heat pumps are worth it to tool theft. Heat pump experts believe that heat pumps are worth it in 99% of UK homes, as long as the heating system is installed correctly and your radiators are sized correctly.

When to catch the next podcast: We release episodes every other Tuesday.