Heatpump hub

Everything you need to know about heat pumps

Heat pumps are big news right now. They’re a greener alternative to gas central heating – and soon lots of us will have them in our homes. Want to learn more? You’re in the right place.

What’s a heat pump?

...only the hottest thing in home heating

A heat pump sucks warmth from the air or ground outside and uses it to heat your home, and give you hot water. A bit like a fridge in reverse! It works all year round, even when it’s cold out – amazing, right?

They're also more efficient than traditional boilers and use less carbon. Helping us all on the Path to Zero - energy that's better for you, your wallet and the planet.

Whats a heat pump?

What’s a heat pump?

...only the hottest thing in home heating

A heat pump sucks warmth from the air or ground outside and uses it to heat your home, and give you hot water. A bit like a fridge in reverse! It works all year round, even when it’s cold out – amazing, right?

They're also more efficient than traditional boilers and use less carbon. Helping us all on the Path to Zero - energy that's better for you, your wallet and the planet.

Whats a heat pump?

Cosy home. Happy planet.

Check out all the benefits of heat pumps

As toasty as ever

Most models can be controlled easily from an app, so you get all the cosiness with less of the carbon.

Super efficient

They’re at least 3 times more efficient than traditional gas boilers1!

Lasts for years longer

Your new heat pump can last over 20 years – up to 25% longer than your gas boiler2. And it’ll be easier to maintain too!

The 2 main types of heat pump

One absorbs heat from the air – the other from the ground

Air source heat pumps are more common (and less expensive) than ground source heat pumps. But it’s a good idea to read about both to decide which one’s right for you.

You might not know this – but heat pumps aren’t new. They’re tried and tested technology. And regularly used in countries around the world!

showing heat pump

The 2 main types of heat pump

One absorbs heat from the air – the other from the ground

Air source heat pumps are more common (and less expensive) than ground source heat pumps. But it’s a good idea to read about both to decide which one’s right for you.

You might not know this – but heat pumps aren’t new. They’re tried and tested technology. And regularly used in countries around the world!

showing heat pump

How do heat pumps work?

Let’s take a look...

Whether you choose a ground source heat pump or and an air source heat pump, they both work in pretty much the same way.

Step 1

Heat pumps absorb warmth from the air or ground, even in winter

Step 2

This warmth is compressed to create even more heat

Step 3

...and this is transferred into your home for radiators and underfloor heating. It can also be used to heat water in a hot water cylinder. Genius!

Fun fact:  heat pumps can work in temperatures as low as -20℃!

Pumped for planet Earth

Why heat pumps are the future

Did you know that home heating makes up roughly 14% of the UK’s carbon footprint3?

Luckily, heat pumps are set to change that. Because when you power them with renewable electricity you get all the cosiness, with less of the carbon.

For the UK to be net zero carbon by 2050, we need to cut carbon from our central heating systems – and fast!

Heatpump outside home

Pumped for planet Earth

Why heat pumps are the future

Did you know that home heating makes up roughly 14% of the UK’s carbon footprint3?

Luckily, heat pumps are set to change that. Because when you power them with renewable electricity you get all the cosiness, with less of the carbon.

For the UK to be net zero carbon by 2050, we need to cut carbon from our central heating systems – and fast!

Heatpump outside home

Be a heat pump pioneer

We’re putting heat pumps through their paces.
Fancy getting involved?

Join one of our groundbreaking trials

When we ran the UK’s biggest zero-carbon heating trial in 2020, we upgraded the heating in hundreds of homes. Out went the fossil-fuel systems and in came the swanky low-carbon tech, worth up to £15,000!

Now our engineers have installed nearly 1,000 – and counting. To hear more about similar carbon-kicking tech, and our future trials, register your interest today. You could even get a heat pump for free!

Register your interest
Heatpump Trials

Join one of our groundbreaking trials

When we ran the UK’s biggest zero-carbon heating trial in 2020, we upgraded the heating in hundreds of homes. Out went the fossil-fuel systems and in came the swanky low-carbon tech, worth up to £15,000!

Now our engineers have installed nearly 1,000 – and counting. To hear more about similar carbon-kicking tech, and our future trials, register your interest today. You could even get a heat pump for free!

Register your interest
Heatpump Trials

Talk to a pro on the OVO forum

Got a question? You don’t need to be an OVO member to pick the brains of our passionate heat pump owners.

Join the conversation
Heatpump forum

Talk to a pro on the OVO forum

Got a question? You don’t need to be an OVO member to pick the brains of our passionate heat pump owners.

Join the conversation
Heatpump forum

Learn more about heat pumps

Heat pump FAQs