Heat pump check-up: small fixes that cut running costs

12 October 2026

A heat pump is a simple machine at heart, but how well it runs depends a great deal on how it was designed, fitted and set up. New research published this month shows just how much those details matter, and, encouragingly, how cheaply most problems can be put right.

What the audits found

On 5 October 2026 Nesta, the innovation charity, published its report Optimising heat pump installations in social housing, produced with Bristol City Council. It brings together technical audits of 92 heat pump systems in council homes, carried out between 2024 and 2026, including earlier work with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme and the University of Bristol.

Every one of the 92 systems had at least one fault in design, installation or commissioning (the set-up at handover). In the latest group of 39 homes, trade coverage of the report notes that:

• 35 had a physical installation problem, most often thin or missing insulation on outdoor pipework (20 systems)
• weather compensation, the setting that lets the heat pump run cooler on mild days, was switched off in 36
• the average Seasonal Performance Factor (the heat delivered over a year for each unit of electricity used) was just under 2.8, where a well-set-up system would typically be above 3

The report also found that many tenants had received a poor handover, so some did not know how their system worked, or were using it in ways that pushed running costs up.

The encouraging part: fixes were quick and cheap

Nesta funded repair visits to 30 of the homes. The average cost was around 200 pounds excluding VAT, and almost all of that was labour. Typical fixes were adding proper pipe insulation, lowering the temperature of the water sent to the radiators, and switching on or adjusting weather compensation.

This matters because it shows the technology itself is not the issue. Open Energy Monitor, which publishes live data from hundreds of well-installed UK homes, records an average Seasonal Coefficient of Performance of around 3.9. The gap between those figures is largely down to installation and set-up, which is exactly what a good installer and a good service visit can deal with.

A five-point check-up for your heat pump

If you already have a heat pump, these are reasonable things to ask about at your next annual service:

• Outdoor pipe insulation. Is the pipework between the outdoor unit and the house fully lagged and weatherproofed?
• Weather compensation. Is it switched on, and has the curve been tuned to your home? (We explained how this works in last week's post.)
• Flow temperature. Is the water going to your radiators as cool as it can be while still keeping you comfortable?
• Handover. Do you know how to use your controls and what the system is set to do? If not, ask for a proper walk-through.
• Monitoring. Can you see how much heat it produces and how much electricity it uses? Even a simple meter reading helps spot problems early.

If you are planning a new installation, the same points make good questions when comparing quotes. Our audited local suppliers list is a good place to start, and we are happy to look over a quote with you.

Pros and cons to keep in mind

Pros

• Most problems found were simple and inexpensive to fix.
• Well-installed systems perform well, so a check-up can make a real difference.
• Fabric improvements such as loft and pipe insulation help any heating system, including a heat pump.

Cons

• These were social housing systems, often installed at speed, so private installations may differ. The report does not tell us how common the same faults are elsewhere.
• Only 15 of the latest 39 systems had performance data, and there was not enough data after repairs to measure the savings precisely.
• A Microgeneration Certification Scheme certificate is essential for grants, but on its own it does not guarantee a perfect set-up.

What this means for Forest Row

Many Forest Row homes are off the gas grid and heated by oil, and the 9,000 pound Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for oil homes has made heat pumps much more affordable here. Getting the installation and set-up right is what turns that grant into lower bills and steady warmth. Whether you already have a heat pump or are thinking about one, asking these questions early is the simplest way to get the best from it.

Your next step

Come and see us at our community energy drop-in this Saturday, 17 October, 11:30 to 13:30 at Forest Row Community Centre (the Rose Room). Bring your heat pump paperwork or a quote and we will go through it with you. If you are just starting out, check your Energy Performance Certificate first, since insulation comes before any new heating system, then see our grants page for current support. You can also send us a quote or bill through our quotes and bills review for clear, free feedback.

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