Thinking About a Heat Pump? Here’s What One Homeowner Discovered

Let’s be honest—if you own a home in the UK right now, you’ve probably heard about heat pumps.
They’re everywhere.
There’s the £7,500 government grant. Installers are recommending them. And they’re being positioned as the future of home heating.
So naturally, you might be wondering:
“Should I get one?”
Well, let me tell you about a homeowner who asked that exact question.

It Started with an old gas combi boiler in Ilkley, West Yorkshire (home of “on Ilkley Moor Bar Tat”)
James had a pretty typical 1970s semi-detached house. Nothing fancy—but solid, comfortable, and familiar.
His boiler, though? That was another story.
It was getting older, less efficient, and more expensive to run. So, when he heard about heat pumps (and the grant), it felt like the perfect time to upgrade.
Cleaner heating. Lower carbon. Government support.
Sounds great, right?

“It’s Like a Fridge… But Backwards”

When the installer came round, the explanation was simple:
A heat pump pulls heat from the air or ground and uses it to warm your home.
“Like a fridge in reverse,” they said.
Fair enough.
But then came the important bits…

The Things People Don’t Always Mention

As they walked through the house, a few realities started to emerge.
First:

“Your pipework might be an issue.”

A lot of UK homes—like James’s—use smaller pipes. That can limit how much heat gets around the system.
Then:

“Heat pumps run at lower temperatures.”

Your current boiler? Probably runs at around 70°C.
A heat pump? More like 45–55°C.
That means:

• You might need bigger radiators
• Your home needs to hold onto heat better
• Insulation suddenly becomes very important

So, James tried a quick experiment…
He turned his boiler down to 50°C.
The result?
Let’s just say… it wasn’t exactly toasty.

The Quote Looked Good… At First

A few days later, the quote came through.
After the grant, it was just under £6,000. Not bad at all.
It included:

• A new air source heat pump
• A hot water cylinder in the loft
• A few new but much larger radiators

But the more he looked at it, the more questions he had.

Things that weren’t immediately obvious started to stand out:

• The warranty on the pump was 8 years… but replacements can cost £7,000+
• That big water tank in the loft? Great—until it leaks
• The efficiency figures sounded impressive—but were they realistic?
• Will we actually be warm enough?
• And what about running costs if electricity prices stay high?

None of these were deal-breakers on their own.
But together? They made him pause.

So… What Are the Alternatives?

At this point, James asked a really sensible question:

“What if I still want to go electric—but not use a heat pump?”

That’s when he came across radTherm electric radiators and Sunamp hot water systems from North East Heating Solutions Ltd.

No pipes. No water. No outdoor unit.

Just electric heating—room by room.

Why It Caught His Attention

The more he looked into it, the more it made sense for his home:

• No annual servicing
• No risk of leaks
• No complicated installation
• A long (30-year) warranty
• Total control of heating on a room by room basis
• Hot water on demand without storing it in his loft

Plus, he could control each room individually from his phone—which is a nice bonus.
And since he already had solar panels, it could work quite nicely with those too.

The Final Decision

In the end, the electric system was more expensive upfront—around £9,000.

So why did he choose it?
Simple:

It felt lower risk.
Easier to manage.
And better suited to his home.

So… Are Heat Pumps Worth It?

Here’s the honest answer:

Sometimes—yes.

If your home is:

• Very well insulated
• Designed for low-temperature heating
• Or already has underfloor heating

A heat pump can be a fantastic option.

But for many older UK homes?
It’s not always the perfect fit.

The Bottom Line

There’s a big push right now toward low-carbon heating—and that’s a good thing.
But there isn’t just one solution.

The best system is the one that works for:

• Your home
• Your budget
• Your lifestyle

So before jumping in, take a step back, ask questions, and look at all your options.
Because the goal isn’t just to upgrade your heating…
It’s to make the right choice.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme

More information on heat pumps – I’m a sustainability expert – here’s why I’m not getting a heat pump

YouTube video explaining how heat pumps work and their disadvantages

Howard Klineberg

Howard is a proud member of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) and has been at the forefront of domestic electric heating and hot water innovation for over 20 years. As the driving force behind North East Heating Solutions, he combines deep industry expertise with a commitment to delivering reliable, future-focused solutions for customers.

Before founding the business, Howard built an impressive career in senior leadership roles across major US and European organisations, specialising in business turnaround and sustainable growth. This experience continues to shape his approach today—rooted in transparency, accountability, and a strong customer-first culture that runs throughout his team.