- Cornwall is the heat pump capital of the UK – with 14,043 homes using the technology[1], according to analysis of 26 million EPC certificates by Uswitch.com
- A household replacing a gas boiler with a ground source heat pump could reduce their energy bills by up to 50%[2]
- There are more than 250,000 heat pumps in the UK, including 228,877 air source heat pumps, and 32,000 ground source heat pumps[1]
- Mid Suffolk has the highest proportion of households with heat pumps, with 7% of those with EPCs using them to warm their homes[1]
- Tamworth, Staffs, has the fewest – with just 20 in the area, followed by Hyndburn, Lancs, with 24, and Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, with 27[1]
- Uswitch.com offers information on heat pumps and tips on what to look for when considering getting one.
Cornwall is the heat pump capital of the UK – with 14,043 homes already using the technology[1], reveals analysis of nearly 26 million EPC certificates by Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
The South West region boasts 11,980 air source heat pumps and 14,043 ground source heat pumps, meaning that more than 5% of the 277,078 households have taken the plunge[1].
The number of heat pumps in the UK has been increasing in recent years as households attempt to reduce their carbon emissions and cut their energy costs. With the cost-of-living crisis taking a bite out of home budgets, half of UK households (49%) say they have embraced green habits primarily to save money[2].
Heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat from the air or ground into buildings for heating, and are a more efficient and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional gas boilers.
Widespread adoption has been slow in the UK due to a range of factors including high installation costs compared to gas boilers, and being better suited to newer homes which are well-insulated and airtight – rather than much of the UK’s older, draughtier housing stock.
A lack of skilled installers and general lack of consumer knowledge have also been cited as further reasons for a slow update in the UK.
The demand for heat pumps is expected to grow significantly as the government continues to phase out gas boilers and encourage low-carbon heating technologies.
A household replacing a gas boiler with a ground source heat pump could reduce their energy bills by up to 50%[4]. Achieving these savings would need the heat pump to be installed to very high standards, for the efficiency of the heat pump to be high, and the household would need to be on a heat pump tariff.
Across the UK, only 1% of homes have installed heat pumps, with 228,877 air source heat pumps and 32,174 ground source varieties in action[1].
Wiltshire has the second most heat pumps, with 4,709 among the 209,052 households in the region. King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Shropshire, and Breckland make up the rest of the top five[1].
Table: Top ten locations for total heat pumps
| Rank | Location | Air source heat pumps | Ground source heat pumps | Total heat pumps | Homes | Proportion of heat pumps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cornwall | 11,980 | 2,063 | 14,043 | 277,078 | 5.1% |
| 2 | Wiltshire | 4,277 | 432 | 4,709 | 209,052 | 2.3% |
| 3 | King's Lynn and West Norfolk | 3,897 | 187 | 4,084 | 76,937 | 5.3% |
| 4 | Shropshire | 2,886 | 870 | 3,756 | 135,210 | 2.8% |
| 5 | Breckland | 3,463 | 238 | 3,701 | 60,935 | 6.1% |
| 6 | South Somerset | 2,490 | 752 | 3,242 | 71,713 | 4.5% |
| 7 | Dorset | 2,840 | 379 | 3,219 | 163,416 | 2.0% |
| 8 | East Suffolk | 2,821 | 318 | 3,139 | 111,302 | 2.8% |
| 9 | Mid Suffolk | 2,690 | 198 | 2,888 | 42,211 | 6.8% |
| 10 | Westminster | 2,572 | 174 | 2,746 | 156,546 | 1.8% |
| 11 | South Norfolk | 2,455 | 242 | 2,697 | 57,933 | 4.7% |
Source: Uswitch.com
Mid Suffolk has the highest proportion of heat pumps in homes, with 6.8% of the 42,211 households in the region having one. Blackpool has the lowest proportion, with only 0.1% of the area’s 82,785 homes investing in the technology.
Tamworth in Staffordshire is the region with the fewest heat pumps, with only 20 in total. Hyndburn and Barrow-in-Furness have the next lowest number, with 24 and 27 respectively.
| Rank | Location | Air source heat pumps | Ground source heat pumps | Total heat pumps | Households | Proportion of heat pumps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tamworth | 18 | 2 | 20 | 28,440 | 0.1% |
| 2 | Hyndburn | 15 | 9 | 24 | 36,947 | 0.1% |
| 3 | Barrow-in-Furness | 18 | 9 | 27 | 28,424 | 0.1% |
| 4 | Eastbourne | 35 | 1 | 36 | 50,441 | 0.1% |
| 5 | Burnley | 28 | 10 | 38 | 47,156 | 0.1% |
| 6 | Slough | 34 | 4 | 38 | 56,365 | 0.1% |
| 7 | Isles of Scilly | 38 | 4 | 42 | 990 | 4.2% |
| 8 | Oadby and Wigston | 42 | 3 | 45 | 20,748 | 0.2% |
| 9 | Blackpool | 46 | 3 | 49 | 82,785 | 0.1% |
| 10 | Corby | 34 | 21 | 55 | 23,583 | 0.2% |
Source: Uswitch.com
Uswitch.com is offering tips on how to decide if a heat pump is right for you, and is answering consumers’ questions on how to decide whether a ground source or air source option is more suitable.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “Heat pumps have been slow to spread across the UK so far, with their widespread adoption being held back by high installation costs and poorly insulated housing.
“It’s good news that a quarter of a million heat pumps have already been installed across the UK, and it’s great to see Cornwall leading the way.
“Installing a heat pump is a big change for households, and the pros and cons should be carefully weighed up, even if you are eligible for a grant for the installation.
“There are varying types of heat pump, including air or ground, and some can be pricey – and disruptive – to install. Although they can reduce your energy bill if they are well-installed, the amount they will save you is difficult to predict as it depends on what system they are replacing.
“If you’re replacing a standard gas boiler, a heat pump may be less likely to offer savings, though it will drastically cut your carbon emissions.
“Households considering a heat pump should make sure they’re clear on how much it is likely to cost in the long run before taking the plunge."
Heat pump questions answered
What’s the difference between an air source and ground source heat pump?
Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air to warm up your home. They can cost around £14,000 to install, according to the Energy Saving Trust[2].
Ground-source heat pumps use pipes buried in the garden to extract heat from the ground. They are generally pricier than air pumps, with a system costing from £28,000 to £57,000.
How long do they take to install?
Installations usually take a few days, but it may take longer if you need to have additional insulation to make the system more effective. Air source heat pumps are quicker to install as they do not require any land to be dug up.
What if I don’t have any outside space?
Air source heat pumps require less room than ground source because they absorb heat from the air. They can be located anywhere with a decent flow of fresh air and the box can be wall mounted, for instance on a garage wall.
How much less energy does it use compared to other energy saving solutions?
Heat pumps require some electricity to run, but it is a relatively small amount. Running costs would be less than using gas or standard electric heaters.
Read our guides about ground source and air source heat pumps.
For more information
Beverley Noble | Energy PR Manager
beverley.noble@rvu.co.uk
Twitter: @UswitchPR
Notes
1. Uswitch analysed 23 million current EPC certificates, removing old duplicates at any address where more than one existed.
2. Research conducted online by Opinium, 17th - 24th July 2024, among 3,000 UK adults, weighted to be nationally representative. Respondents were asked ‘Which, if any, are your main reasons for being more ‘green’?’ 49% said ‘To save money’.
3. Energy Saving Trust: Air Source Heat Pumps
4. Which?: Heat pumps vs boilers: the key things you need to know
5. For access to the full dataset, ranking locations by total heat pump installations, please reach out to prteam@uswitch.com.
About Uswitch
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More people go to Uswitch to find their energy, broadband and mobile deals than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
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