Alasdair Hiscock, Design Lead in Nesta’s sustainable future team, explains its visit a heat pump initiative.
Heat pumps are the best current technology to support decarbonisation of homes but there are only 250,000 homes with heat pumps in the UK.
Most people in the UK have never seen a heat pump. For those considering one, it’s difficult to find out how it might work in their home. At Nesta, the UK’s innovation charity, we think that if people are able to see a heat pump in real life then they will become more confident in the technology and more likely to take the next steps towards getting one.
The pilot service
Our ambition is for everyone in the UK to be able to visit a heat pump near them and get the support they need.
In 2022 we delivered a pilot service called Visit A Heat Pump which enabled people to see a heat pump working in a real home and learn more about what it’s like to have one from current owners.
We have now taken this a step further as we want to ensure that the service can operate effectively at scale in different locations across the UK.
How the service works – hosting a visit and booking a visit
Nesta has developed an online service to help people visit a heat pump near them through a network of open homes.
We’ve recruited a network of hosts who are happy to open their doors to those interested in seeing the system and hearing about life with a heat pump.
Homeowners interested in installing a heat pump but who don’t have any first-hand experience can book a visit to see an air source heat pump in action and learn more about what it’s like to have one from heat pump owners – the people who know best.
The service is free and takes just a few minutes to register and search for visits near them.
Benefits for hosts and visitors
What’s in it for hosts?
We’re finding many of those with heat pumps are happy to share their experiences, helping others make the transition to low-carbon energy, making the UK’s home heating cleaner and greener.
Hosts can set up visits in minutes to allow a small group to view their heat pump. It’s quick, easy and secure to set up visits online and they get support throughout – from setting up a visit to what to expect on the day.
What’s in it for visitors?
Those keen to learn more about low-carbon heating options can visit a heat pump near them in real life, see it in action and get their questions answered by heat pump owners.
It’s quick and easy to book a visit to discover how green home heating works for homes like theirs and find out what it’s really like to live with a heat pump. Visitors will get support before and after the visit to help them to assess their own home and identify what they need to find out from their visit, as well as connecting them with advice post-visit.
What to expect from the service and how it can support tenant engagement
You can see how the service works at www.visitaheatpump.com. After registering with the service, visitors will be able to search for and book a visit to a heat pump near them.
Many registered social landlords and local authorities are installing heat pumps in new-build homes and retrofitting existing homes. We understand that supporting tenants to engage in a home heating technology that may be brand new to them, can be hard. If you’re interested in using the ‘visit a heat pump’ service to host or arrange visits for tenants, get in touch with us today so we can talk you through it.
Nesta will be at InstallerSHOW, running 25-27 June at the NEC. Register for FREE tickets here: installer-2024-splash.reg.buzz
