Heat pumps are an efficient, climate-friendly solution to the energy crisis and will play a key role in the UK government’s plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions from properties over the coming years. Although they currently have a higher upfront cost than gas boilers, they typically cost less over their lifetimes and financial incentives are now available in over 30 countries, including here in the UK.
A new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that the market for heat pumps is now in overdrive, with global sales rising by nearly 15 per cent in 2021 – double the average of the past decade. Sales in the EU, where heat pumps have already replaced about a fifth of gas boilers, have risen by around 35 per cent.
Sales in 2022 are expected to far surpass last year’s figures, with some European countries already seeing sales double in the first half of the year.
The IEA believes global heat pump supply and installation could require over 1.3 million workers by the end of the decade, nearly triple the current amount.
“Heat pumps are an indispensable part of any plan to cut emissions and natural gas use. The technology is tried and tested, even in the coldest of climates,” explained Fatih Birol, IEA executive director.
“Heat pumps will be central to efforts to ensure everyone can heat their homes this winter and next, to protect vulnerable households and businesses from high prices, and to meet climate objectives. All the pieces are in place for the heat pump market to take off, reminiscent of the trajectory we have seen in other key climate technologies like solar PV and electric vehicles.”
Although much of the heat pump market in the UK focuses on domestic properties, the IEA says opportunities also exist for heat pumps to provide low temperature heat in a range of industrial sectors, such as the paper, food and chemicals industries.
However, research shows that only a third of UK heating installers are ready to embrace heat pumps. Furthermore, a recent survey by GoCompare Energy found that 35 per cent of British adults are not sure what heat pumps are.
The Energy Saving Trust has published an in-depth guide which tackles some of the common myths around the technology.