along with thousands of families Heat pump A hidden issue in how the systems are installed can cause them to pay more than they should to heat their homes.
New figures presented at the CIBSE Decarbonisation Conference in London suggest that poorly insulated external pipework could be costing some homes as much as £74 a year.
The findings point to installation quality as a key factor affecting how well the technology performs in real homes.
What is the £74 figure based on?
The estimate is based on modeling heat loss from external pipework where insulation is missing, damaged or poorly fitted.
Even small gaps in insulation can allow heat to escape before it reaches the home, reducing efficiency and increasing running costs.
In affected households, the National Energy Service Watts Watts It is estimated that this amounts to as much as £20 million a year being wasted.
What experts said at the conference
The issue was highlighted at the CIBSE Decarbonisation Conference in London, which was attended by leading industry and policy figures.
Lisa Mallyon, co-founder and CEO of WattsWatt, told a conference in London that poor insulation on external pipework can have a huge impact on how efficiently a heat pump works.
“It’s pretty straightforward — if your outdoor pipes aren’t properly insulated, the water gets colder as it passes through these outdoor pipes, which affects the temperature inside the house. To bring the house back up to temperature, the heat pump has to work harder, which uses more energy,” she said.
She added that problems are often identified only later Heat pump installation.
“We first became aware of this problem when households complained that their heat pumps had stopped working – saying they weren’t as good as they were when they were first installed. It turns out, their external pipework was insulated with basic gray insulation designed for internals – and it got soaked.”
Professor Richard Fitton, Professor of Building Performance at the University of Salford, said: “Heat pump technologies require careful design and installation for optimal performance.”
What should affected homeowners do next?
If homeowners suspect their heat pump is not working properly due to insulation or installation problems, TrustMark – the government-recognised quality scheme for home improvements – advises that the first step is to contact the original installer.
Most recognized Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installation is covered by a warranty and customer protection system, meaning faults can be assessed and rectified at no extra cost if raised early.
For homeowners, signs of a potential problem may include:
- Higher than expected running costs
- Reduced heating effect compared to initial use
- Visible or poorly protected external pipework
If the installer doesn’t fix the problem, homeowners can escalate the complaint through TrustMark’s approved dispute resolution process, which is designed to handle problems with certified work.
Landlords are also advised to keep records of any paperwork, installation details and communications, as this can help support a complaint if further action is required.
