‘big selling point’ can boost home value by over £20,000, according to experts

Heat pumps can add up to £20,000 to the value of the average home over time, according to a property expert. However, there are many misconceptions surrounding heat pumps as they’re a

relatively new technology. Some of the most “common misconceptions” about heat pumps are that they’re expensive to install and don’t work in old properties. But Ben Hodges, a director at

Abode Heat, said due to net zero goals and the Government incentivising greener energy solutions, heat pumps could increase in popularity as homeowners find out the benefits of air source

and ground heat pumps. Mr Hodges said: “For the first year of the BUS, adoption was considerably low. Since the scheme opened on May 23, 2022, there have been just 18,433 voucher

applications for heat pumps in the first year, according to our study of the data. “This means that the scheme was only 53.5 percent on target, with just half (16,052) vouchers issued, of

the Government’s intended 30,000. “However, now the grant has increased by £2,500, this will make heat pumps a slightly more accessible solution for homeowners in the UK. “If we can work to

educate on their benefits and debunk myths around them too, more long-term benefits will be clear and realised.” ARE HEAT PUMPS EXPENSIVE TO INSTALL? One of the most common misconceptions

about heat pumps is that they are expensive. The initial outlay for a heat pump is in the region of £15,000 - £20,000 for an existing homeowner, according to Abode Heat. However, not many

people realise around half of this cost can be subsidised by the Government’s scheme. Ben explains: “As of October 2023, just over sixteen months since the scheme initially launched, the

government has increased the grant from £5,000 to £7,500, meaning that homeowners can typically only expect to pay for half of the upfront cost of a heat pump.” Property experts at

CompareMyMove also claim the remaining heat pump installation cost can be made back nearly two-fold in the value it adds to a property. Dave Sayce, property expert and director at Compare My

Move says: “According to studies, it is estimated that a heat pump can add around 7.1 percent value to a home if fitted correctly and in the right climate. “The main selling point of a heat

pump is its eco-friendly nature, using much less energy than a regular heating or A/C system and taking its heat from natural resources. “Another big selling point, and money saver, is that

you won’t need to buy both a heater and A/C unit as a heat pump does it all on one system. “When looking at the average British house price, this 7.1 percent addition of value will be over

£20,500. “Not only does it add to the value of the home, but you will also see savings on your energy bill which could be anything from £500 to £1400 a year, depending on your energy

consumption.” Another common misconception is that “heat pumps don’t work well on old properties”. There are an estimated 10 million homes in England that have characteristics or

construction features that make it difficult for homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their property. However, these properties are not unsuitable for heat pumps. If they’re

carefully looked at and designed, heat pumps can be a viable option for heating an older property. Ben explained: “There is no one size fits all when it comes to heat pumps, and no buildings

are off limits. Older properties instead require more planning and design consideration to ensure the whole building’s energy efficiency is performing and the right heat pump solution is in

place.”