I know everything I need to know about heat pumps.
I live in a flat. I am literally not allowed to install anything outside for a proper split.
There is no location in my small property where noise would not disturb sleep or the general enjoyment of being here. So even with permission an air source pump is not viable.
I'd need permission to install a ground source unit outside which wouldn't be impossible.
But then it's likely to be got the whole building as that would be the most efficient.
I'm not sharing an energy bill for heating with my neighbours. My consumption is low.
There are millions like me in this country.
What I would install is an electric boiler. Essentially inductive or resistive heat.
Which is half as efficient as a heat pump. But I'd have control of my bill and with the consumption for a single person flat the long term expense of installing and maintaining a heat pump eat into any efficiency savings they have.
The only thing stopping me is gas is cheaper per kW because we're burning gas to make electricity at a ~45% efficiency compared to a 90% efficiency of piping it here to be turned directly into heat.
Cut fossil fuels out of the electricity supply. Then I'll install an electric boiler. Until then I'll burn gas more efficiently here.
Heat pumps work for those with outside space. Those who have luxuries.
Electric cars work for those with driveways. More outside space. More luxury.
I could buy into that luxury soon enough. I will upgrade my property at some point. But it's not going to solve any climate change issues unless they solve the issue for everyone, not just the middle class and upwards.
The government need to stop burning gas for electricity. When they do I'll probably be paying more for energy, but the poorest can use the same infrastructure and be subsidised.
Renewables, grid storage, reasonably priced charging with on street chargers near everyone's homes. We'll all be able to go carbon free.
Heat pumps are part of the solution, but really they're the smallest part. They only offer an efficiency saving over resistive heating. The cost is noise pollution, maintenance cost, space, and complexity.
I don't take the government's climate targets seriously when heat pumps are their main policy.
How about they Walk Walk Walk Walk Walk Walk Walk Walk