British Gas Pushes Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are widely regarded as the future of home heating, being a low carbon alternative to gas boilers. Now, British Gas has come up with a way to help push their uptake in homes around the UK. Offering a Warm Home Promise, the energy company has made a commitment to only install a heat pump if it will work as effectively as a boiler.
The move comes after the severe failure of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and how households across Britain haven’t been making use of grants available for heat pumps. Of the government target for 600,000 installations a year, less than 8,000 people made use of the incentive between May 2022 and January 2023. Thanks to British Gas, they are trying to tackle the problem head-on.
As well as making sure your home is suitable for a heat pump first, British Gas will also offer a free service ahead of winter. After installation, if your home isn’t warmed as effectively as a traditional gas boiler, you can get your money back. Hesitancy over heat pumps has been one of the limiting factors in switching to greener heating, and this promise is one of the ways in which you can be more eco-friendly without any worry.
Under the Warm Home Promise, you’ll benefit from:
A five year guarantee
Price match
Quick installation
Money back guarantee
Expert guidance
Installations for the UK are £2,999, but a price match is offered for any cheaper MCS accredited installation. Not only this, but if your home won’t be suitable for a heat pump, they will suggest a more suitable low carbon alternative. And you won’t have to worry about home heating either, as if your heat pump doesn’t reach an agreed temperature, you’ll get your money back.
“We recognise that the transition from a boiler to a heat pump can be daunting and want to reassure our customers that they can effectively heat their homes, even through the coldest spells in winter.”
Andrew Middleton – Managing Director of British Gas Zero
The technicians are experts in their field and will explain how your heat pump works. You will be shown how to operate it effectively and they will follow up a few days later to make sure you’re comfortable and everything is working as it should be.
Heat pumps are incredibly energy efficient, transferring 300-400% of electricity used into heat. Gas boilers, on the other hand, can only be around 90-95% efficient. Not every home will be suitable for a heat pump, as proper insulation needs to be fitted in order to benefit from these high efficiencies.
If your current property doesn’t retain warmth, a heat pump won’t work for you just yet. This is one of the reasons why your property will be checked by British Gas in the first place and provide different options instead. Knowing that your home will be surveyed beforehand, and that you can receive your money back if it doesn’t work, you can rest assured that you won’t be making a mistake with your investment.