Residents on a Coventry newbuild housing estate have been shocked by their £1,200-per-quarter electricity bills, after the air source heat pumps providing heat and hot water in their homes were incorrectly specified.

“Air source heat pumps will offer homeowners reduced heating bills and a reduced carbon footprint if they are correctly specified, the system is correctly designed, competent installers are used to install them and the customer is educated on how to use the system so it performs at its most effective," said Danny Davis, operations manager for the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE). 

“Sadly there has been a number of instances now where either the specification or system design has not been fit for purpose. The result is a system that is either being forced to run inefficiently, or is utilising a backup heat source such as an immersion heater, which can be expensive to run if used for long periods of time.”

Newbuild houses are expected by law to utilise green technology where possible. Air source heat pumps work by absorbing heat from outside air, which is then used to heat radiators, underfloor heating systems, or warm air convectors and hot water in your home.

“Any heating and hot water system – whether it be using green technology or a more traditional boiler – will encounter problems if the design and installation are incorrect,” concluded Davis. “What is the most alarming here is that the families living in the homes expected bills of £500 a year. To be hit with £1,200-per-quarter heating bills is leaving them to make decisions between heating their homes or having hot water. It’s a stark choice, especially for the elderly, the infirm or those with young children.”