A recent installation of a heat pump, costing £11,500, has led to significant dissatisfaction for a homeowner in Gloucestershire, who reported that the system failed to adequately heat their home and resulted in higher energy bills.
The homeowner, identified as S.C. in a consumer advice column, stated that the heat pump only warmed their 20-year-old, well-insulated home to a maximum of 18 degrees Celsius, with some rooms struggling to reach above 12 degrees Celsius.
This experience contrasts sharply with expectations, as the homeowner reported that their energy bills have increased since the heat pump's installation. In winter, bills reportedly reached up to £20 per day, or between £200 and £300 per month. This led to concerns that the new system was inferior to their previous gas boiler.
Of the £11,500 total cost, £7,500 was covered by the UK government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme, leaving the homeowner with a £4,000 outlay. The heat pump was installed on the exterior wall of the lounge and below the bedroom, and the homeowner also noted that the device was noisy.
Following the installation in November, the homeowner contacted the installer, Octopus, to report the issues. An initial engineer visit in November suggested the system was functioning correctly but adjusted scheduling. When temperatures did not improve, the homeowner contacted Octopus again in December. Between December and March, the homeowner reported being repeatedly