It’s a familiar scene: Various work patterns overlapping, kids leaving and arriving, differing bedtimes, and the poor boiler trying to keep up with all of it.
This could be any of the 14 million family households throughout the UK – embarking on winter-long battles over the heating controls. The good news here is that you don’t need to change your personal habits to have a consistently warm home. This is something that can be solved with technology.
The answer? Heat pumps. Thermly exists to connect homes to heat pumps, and there’s not a lot we don’t know about this clean, green way of heating our houses. In this article, we’d like to share a little about how a heat pump is a viable (and affordable) alternative to a gas boiler and, most importantly, how Thermly can get you hooked up.
Traditional gas-fired central heating, despite the maze of pipes, is actually a relatively simple system. The thermostat calls for heat, fires up the boiler, and sends hot water to the radiators. In turn, the house heats up, often to a set temperature, before the boiler says, “My work here is done”, and shuts itself down until next time.
The problem here is that–if not properly controlled–the temperature of the house swings from low to high numerous times throughout the day, and somewhere along that temperature rollercoaster, somebody isn’t going to be comfortable.
A heat pump is different. It uses lower flow temperatures that are more consistently applied in the home throughout the day. The result? A more comfortable environment.
Lower flow but higher efficiency
By delivering heat at lower, steadier temperatures (which is characteristic of a heat pump), these systems can run for longer periods. But with the 3-4 times efficiency benefit of a heat pump, you certainly won’t feel this in your wallet.
Not only do these longer and more “gentle” periods of heating completely change the comfort of a home during colder months, they also encourage more even heat distribution throughout rooms. Often, with gas boilers, it’s the thermostat closest to the radiators that does the talking, so if the thermostat is warm, the boiler’s clocking off.
Initially, it might take some getting used to. After all, we all have different preferences, and a heat pump doesn’t change that. The daily movements of the average working household will always mean that someone is likely to arrive home when the boiler hasn’t quite kicked in, or the radiators aren’t up to temperature.
With the steadier approach of a heat pump combined with smart controls as standard, you can expect all-day comfort no matter how mad or manic your family life may be. This is great for busy families who:
If all three sound like you, then a heat pump really could be something to consider.
If you’re lucky enough to live in Sevenoaks or Somerset, then you’ll be pleased to know that Thermly is in your area. We’re here to guide you every step of the way, from understanding your own home’s suitability for a heat pump through to survey, installation and aftercare.
A good first step would be to try our Heat Pump Readiness Tool, which will ask some basic questions about your home and heating system. This is also a good time to read about “BUS grants”. That’s not a bus pass, it’s a generous £7,500 government subsidy that can help you fund the purchase and installation of a heat pump.
So, if you’re gearing up for another season of thermostat thumb wars, take some time out to read about heat pumps via the links shared above. And as always, Which? is a great source of impartial advice.
It’s not only a good choice for the environment and your bank account, but your family’s comfort and lifestyle too.
Our short Heat Pump Readiness Assessment is free, and only takes a few minutes. Sometime a bit longer with a cup of tea.
