Worrying slowdown in the sales Heat Pumps in 2026

NedS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82154589#Comment_82154589

Definitely, and logically you would expect the taxes and levies to be applied to the dirty fuel you are trying to encourage people to move away from, which would help close the 'spark gap'. But with the vast majority of homes still using gas for heating, and an immature heat pump industry, I fear driving people through punitive taxation to an industry that does not have the capacity to cope during an energy crisis is not the answer (right now).

If the government is serious about it's target to build 1.5M new homes by the end of this parliament, then they should legislate that all those new homes must have a heat pump and solar panels. It's a LOT easier to design a new build house from the ground up heated by a heat pump than it is to try to retrofit a heat pump into an existing heating system. Start with all new builds and go from there, then progress to major renovations and then to boiler replacements so it's phased in over time and the industry has time to grow and mature. Start with the easy stuff, and learn as you go.

prowla

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82143678#Comment_82143678

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82143819#Comment_82143819

One of the selling points of the Vailant aroTHERM pro is that it will heat water to 70c.
https://www.vaillant.com/en/products/arothermpro/

"Minimum size for maximum comfort: the aroTHERM pro with an output of 5 to 11 kW is our space-saving heat pump. It is not only the ideal solution for new buildings. Due to its high flow temperatures of up to 70 °C, it is the ideal solution for modernising your heating system while keeping existing radiators."

QrizB

One of the selling points of the Vailant aroTHERM pro is that it will heat water to 70c.

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Running a heat pump that hot will inevitably reduce the COP compared to heating to 60C, 50C or lower.

Sure it might be useful to have the capability to run your heating that hot (e. in a cold snap when you need every watt of output from your radiators) but for 95% of the year it could run much cooler.

stripling

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82160459#Comment_82160459

Vailent don't say this - see the image below taken from their Arotherm brochure. I think @prowla misread it

I ran my Daikin at 40° in -7° and it kept my main rooms at 22° without blinking. It runs at max 38° 'normally'. Heating water in the tank or the central heating to 70° is nonsense. You wouldn't run a gas boiler's circulation at that temp let alone a heat pump. Like @QrizB says that's not good for the system.

prowla

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82160821#Comment_82160821

The bit where it says "Due to its high flow temperatures of up to 70 °C," is a cut & paste from the linked product page; here it is in full, their page, their logo, their words:

Screwdriva

It has loads of PROmise but I am worried by the shortened warranty duration.

Magnitio

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82161873#Comment_82161873

You can always choose the Plus version with the slightly longer warranty. The new version will achieve 75 degrees for any situation that might need it.

Screwdriva

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82162042#Comment_82162042

Indeed. If I had to pick, I would go for the new Viessmann unit that the Heat Geeks now offer as a slightly costlier alternative. 10 year warranty as an option and (in my view) much better looking!

stripling

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82161775#Comment_82161775

Ok… it's selling the 'no hassle line' and no new radiators needed. It's suppose it's to convince Mr and Mrs Doubtful that heat pumps don't bite I guess. It's highly unlikely to lower running costs…

It makes absolutely no sense why would you want 70° water circulating through radiators from any kind of wet heater? Never mind the stress on the compressor. Even gas doesn't heat the leaving water that high. Your rads would be dangerous to touch.

I think Vailent makes nice heat pumps but that looks like a heat pump for the gullible or nervous. Or idiot fitters…

My little Daikin keeps my 100 sqm house (with patchy insulation) at 22° throughout when it's -3° outside with a 39° flow temperature. It only needed 40° when it briefly hit -7° last year. It heats 180 litre water tank to 50° in 30-40 minutes.

I've got small 600cm high K2 radiators except one K3 that's painted the same colour as the walls in my big living room / dining room which has ceiling to floor glass on one wall. It's all unobtrusive. My heat pump just purrs along.

This 70° malarkey flies in the face of heat pump logic which is low and slow. My heat pump is never turned off 24/7 from now until May. It never strains either. My whole house electricity bills are around £80 per month for the past 2 years on a bog standard fixed electricity tariff.

Interestingly, there's no reviews yet except from people trying to sell them. So we'll see. Maybe I'm wrong but I was in the Artic Circle for a month earlier this year and everyone's heat pumps (they all have them) were the same type as mine with low temp radiators. It gets to -30° outside in winter. 🤔

Screwdriva

I've developed a newfound sense of respect for Daikin heat pumps. I spent last weekend at a friend's place in Devon. He has a 14KW Daikin ASHP paired to a dozen or so radiators. Actual SCOP was measured at just under 4.

The system was installed by Octopus (but the lead installer was Heat Geek certified). They paid £4K for everything including cylinder and a mix of 6 new K2/ K3 radiators. They were using an LPG boiler and are saving a small fortune.