Towards net zero

 Common heat pump myths. Having replaced my gas boiler with an air source heat pump in a 250 year old semi-detached cottage that drastically reduced my carbon footprint, energy consumption and energy bills, I would like to address many myths that I was faced with along this journey. 1. Heat pumps won't work in older buildings without extensive, expensive insulation. Insulation is certainly very important but in my 250 year old cottage I did basic draught proofing, the windows were already double glazed, and I topped up the loft insulation. This was very cheap. I was not confident about the expensive insulation for the outer walls by either exterior or interior methods. 2. Heat pumps won't work in the cold weather. Heat pumps are used extensively in Norway, Sweden and now I have the experience of having a heat pump in Scotland with having no problem over the last three winters.  3. Heat pumps are noisy. I have to stand within about 3 metres of my heat pump to hear it. Since it ...

 Heat pumps, weather compensation and temperature modulation. By Pat Hackett. The purpose of this post is to give understanding of how the controls of a heat pump can be used so that individual consumers can choose the most appropriate way to use these controls in different situations. It is early February 2024 as I write this post as I am sitting in my 250 year old semi-detached cottage. This is in Scotland with a heat pump that has been installed, replacing a gas boiler, about two and a half years ago. It is worth saying that my home is now more comfortable and costs much less to keep warm than if I had stayed with the gas boiler. I didn't install expensive wall insulation but did do basic DIY loft insulation and draught proofing. So I have practical experience that dispels the common myths about heat pumps not working in old properties or cold weather. However I do read about people having genuine problems on how to use their heat pumps as this is a relatively new way of heating...