When we installed our air source heat pump 18 months ago, the reactions were predictable.

According to some people online, our house would never be warm enough. The electricity bills would be astronomical. The neighbours would complain about the noise. And apparently my wife would eventually demand the return of a "proper" gas boiler.

Fast forward 18 months and two full winters later, and the reality has been very different.

Rather than relying on opinions, I've been collecting data from day one. Every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed, every kilowatt-hour of heat produced, every temperature reading and every running cost has been recorded and analysed.

The result is a complete picture of what it's actually like to live with a heat pump in a typical UK family home.

The Difference Between Opinions and Data

One thing I've learned over the last few years is that heat pumps generate strong opinions.

Some people love them.

Some people hate them.

Many people have never owned one but are absolutely convinced they know exactly how they perform.

That's why I believe real-world data is so important.

In my latest video I share 18 months of performance figures from our Daikin air source heat pump, including:

• Total energy consumed

• Total heat produced

• Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP)

• Running costs

• Comfort levels throughout the home

• Return on investment calculations

• Reliability and maintenance history

Rather than quoting manufacturer brochures or sales material, these are the actual results from our own home.

What About Running Costs?

One of the biggest concerns people have when considering a heat pump is cost.

Can a heat pump really compete with a gas boiler?

The answer depends on a number of factors, including electricity tariffs, insulation levels, radiator sizing and how the system is operated.

In the video I compare our heat pump running costs against the gas boiler it replaced and explain why simply comparing gas prices to electricity prices often tells only part of the story.

Comfort Matters Too

Running costs are important, but they aren't everything.

One of the most noticeable changes since switching from gas has been the comfort level inside the house.

Instead of short bursts of high-temperature heating followed by cooling periods, the heat pump maintains a far more stable indoor temperature.

It's one of those benefits that rarely appears on a spreadsheet but becomes obvious once you've lived with the system for a while.

Reliability After Two Winters

Another common criticism is reliability.

Would I still recommend a heat pump after 18 months?

Have we experienced breakdowns?

Has anything needed replacing?

What would I do differently if I were starting again today?

I answer all of those questions in the video.

The Verdict

After two winters, thousands of kilowatt-hours of heat, and 18 months of living with the system every day, I finally feel I have enough data to give a fair assessment of our heat pump experience.

Has it been perfect?

No.

Would I go back to gas?

You'll have to watch the video to find out.

▶️ Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/Un0pS019Z8s

If you're considering a heat pump, already own one, or simply want to see some real-world UK performance data, I think you'll find the results interesting.