With the new Heat and Buildings Strategy encouraging the use of heat pumps - now is a good time to revisit the IOR paper "Why don't people install heat pumps?" available free here to download.

This paper considers why the annual UK installation rate of heat pumps is relatively low in comparison to other countries and questions the source of 'green' electricity required for a large heat pump fleet.

It covers electrically driven vapour compression air source heat pumps (ASHPs) for domestic and light commercial building sectors, providing on-gas grid and off-gas grid locations are considered, for:

  • domestic hot water (DHW) plus space heating via low pressure hot water (LPHW)
  • domestic hot water (DHW) plus space heating via warm air

This paper focuses on ASHPs, and doesn't include direct heat pump systems, because the number of heat pumps required to replace natural gas boilers and satisfy UK carbon reduction targets is not possible with ground source technology.

 

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About the IOR

23 Apr 2026

The Institute of Refrigeration is the professional engineering body for all individuals working in RACHP. Find out more about the IOR here. 

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Institute of Refrigeration Midlands Regional Event

27 Aug 2026

The IOR is inviting individuals working in the RACHP sector from across the Midlands to attend a regional gathering of members on 16 September 2026 which will be hosted at the Daikin Training Centre in Birmingham.

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Engaging with 100 Schools by Christmas

26 Aug 2026

The IOR Industry Skills Alliance has set an ambitious target to engage with 100 schools before the end of the year as part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness of careers in the RACHP sector.

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