Heat pump use: an evidence review

Abstract

Heat pumps are a proven technology and in some markets such as Sweden, the technology is relatively mature. However, there is limited Scottish-specific evidence on technical performance and efficiencies, as well as on the challenges faced by consumers at each step of their journey to install, operate and maintain heat pump technology. Much of the available data on heat pumps in Scotland is from manufacturers, rather than the in-situ monitoring of real performance data. This report presents the results from a desk-based evidence review to understand how heat pumps currently, or are likely to, perform in practice in Scottish buildings. The research identifies gaps in the available evidence which can inform future research. We also identify where there is best practice to draw from for Scotland. This work is useful because it is likely that heat pumps will play a significant role in the decarbonisation of heat in Scotland.