- Hastings in East Sussex has rocketed up the UK heat pump charts, with the proportion of homes with the technology rising 393% since last year[1]
- Cornwall has the most heat pumps, with 15,208 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 almost 300,000 heat pumps in the UK, including 267,000 air source heat pumps, and 28,000 ground source heat pumps[1]
- Mid Suffolk has the highest proportion of households with heat pumps, with more than 8% of those with EPCs using them to warm their homes[1]
- Uswitch.com offers information on heat pumps and tips on what to look for when considering getting one.
Households in Hastings, East Sussex, have conquered their fear of heat pumps, with the south coast region seeing the biggest rise in adoption of the technology in the last year[1], reveals analysis of nearly 26 million EPC certificates by Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
The seaside borough – where William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings – rocketed 125 places up the UK Heat Pump Index 2025 as the proportion of homes with a heat pump rose from 0.2% in 2024 to 1% in 2025.
Cornwall remains the heat pump capital of the UK, with 15,208 homes already using the technology[1]. The South West region boasts 13,254 air source heat pumps and 1,954 ground source heat pumps, meaning that more than 6% of the 249,003 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.
Heat Pump Index 2025: Biggest risers
| Location | Air source heat pumps | Ground source heat pumps | Total heat pumps | Rank 2024 | Rank 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings | 414 | 1 | 415 | 293 | 168 | ⬆125 |
| Blackburn with Darwen | 343 | 24 | 367 | 329 | 231 | ⬆98 |
| Gosport | 285 | 2 | 287 | 266 | 187 | ⬆79 |
| Bolsover | 268 | 17 | 285 | 267 | 197 | ⬆70 |
| Rossendale | 238 | 16 | 254 | 240 | 180 | ⬆60 |
| Three Rivers | 246 | 21 | 267 | 241 | 190 | ⬆51 |
| Dartford | 347 | 12 | 359 | 242 | 193 | ⬆49 |
| Cheltenham | 589 | 28 | 617 | 189 | 146 | ⬆43 |
| Medway | 558 | 6 | 564 | 294 | 252 | ⬆42 |
| Pendle | 352 | 124 | 476 | 174 | 132 | ⬆42 |
Source: Uswitch Heat Pump Index 2025
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. They are often 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%[3]. Achieving these savings would need the heat pump to be installed to very high quality 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 1.3% of homes have installed heat pumps, but this is an increase from 1.0% in 2024. There are now 267,465 air source heat pumps and 28,249 ground source varieties in action[1].
Wiltshire has the second most heat pumps, with 5,171 among the 194,196 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
| Location | Air source heat pumps | Ground source heat pumps | Total heat pumps | % of homes with heat pump (2024) | % of homes with heat pump (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | 13,254 | 1,954 | 15,208 | 5.1% | 6.1% |
| Wiltshire | 4,772 | 399 | 5,171 | 2.3% | 2.7% |
| King's Lynn and West Norfolk | 4,299 | 154 | 4,453 | 5.3% | 6.6% |
| Shropshire | 3,514 | 723 | 4,237 | 2.8% | 3.4% |
| Breckland | 3,931 | 183 | 4,114 | 6.1% | 7.4% |
| East Suffolk | 3,283 | 277 | 3,560 | 2.8% | 3.5% |
| Dorset | 3,086 | 327 | 3,413 | 2.0% | 2.3% |
| Mid Suffolk | 3,200 | 151 | 3,351 | 6.8% | 8.4% |
| South Norfolk | 2,794 | 185 | 2,979 | 4.7% | 5.5% |
Source: Uswitch Heat Pump Index 2025
Mid Suffolk has the highest proportion of heat pumps in homes, with 8.4% of the 39,787 households in the region having one. Blackpool has the lowest proportion, with only 0.1% of the area’s 65,699 homes investing in the technology.
Barrow-in-Furness is the region with the fewest heat pumps, with only 21 in total. Hyndburn and Oadby and Wigston have the next lowest number, with 31 and 42 respectively.
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: “The battle for a new way of heating our homes is quietly being fought across the country, and it’s great to see the progress being made.
“Hastings has risen fastest up the heat pump charts, while Cornwall has the most overall, and Mid Suffolk has the highest proportion of homes with the technology.
“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.
“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 £11,000 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
Rianna York | Energy PR Manager
rianna.york@rvu.co.uk
Twitter: @UswitchPR
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
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.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.