Pembrokeshire is one of the most beautiful counties in Wales. Known for its dramatic coastline, historic market towns, and traditional stone cottages, it is a wonderful place to live. However, homeowners here often face higher than average heating costs. This is because many properties are not connected to the mains gas grid. Instead, households frequently rely on expensive fuels such as heating oil, bottled LPG, or electric storage heaters.
With the rising cost of living, finding an affordable, reliable and sustainable way to heat a home has become more important than ever. An air-source heat pump offers exactly that. This renewable technology is highly efficient, suitable for a wide range of properties, and supported by government funding through the ECO4 scheme.
In this article, we will explain what an air-source heat pump is, how it works, and why it is such a smart investment for Pembrokeshire households. We will look in detail at the 8 key reasons to get an air-source heat pump in Pembrokeshire. We will also explain how Green Homes Group can help you with free surveys, funding applications, and by connecting you with trusted local installers.
An air-source heat pump is a type of renewable heating system. It works by drawing in air from outside your property and extracting the heat energy from it. This heat is then compressed and transferred inside your home to provide heating and hot water. Even when the outside air feels cold, there is still heat energy available, and the system is designed to capture and use it effectively.
Air-source heat pumps have two main units. The outdoor unit looks a little like an air conditioning fan and sits just outside your property. This is where the heat is collected. The indoor unit then circulates that heat through your central heating system, whether that is radiators, underfloor heating, or a hot water cylinder.
The main difference between a heat pump and a boiler is that a boiler burns fuel to generate heat, while a heat pump moves existing heat. This makes the system much more efficient. On average, for every unit of electricity an air-source heat pump consumes, it produces between three and four units of usable heat.
Pembrokeshire is particularly well suited to this technology. The county has a mild coastal climate, which means the outdoor temperatures rarely drop low enough to affect performance. Whether you live in a cottage in St David’s, a townhouse in Haverfordwest, or a modern property in Tenby, an air-source heat pump can be designed to suit your home.
Heating is the single largest expense for most households. In Pembrokeshire, the cost is often even higher because many homes are not connected to mains gas. Instead, households pay a premium for heating oil, bottled LPG, or electricity.
An air-source heat pump can reduce these costs significantly. Because it delivers more heat energy than the electricity it consumes, it provides much greater efficiency. For some households, switching to an air-source heat pump can save hundreds of pounds each year compared to running an oil or LPG system.
Although the installation cost of a heat pump can be high, government support schemes like ECO4 cover some or all of this expense for eligible households. Even for those who pay privately, the savings on energy bills provide a strong return on investment. Over time, many households find the system has effectively paid for itself within 7 to 10 years. Since the average heat pump lasts between 15 and 20 years, there are many years of savings to enjoy after that.
The UK government is committed to making homes more energy efficient and reducing carbon emissions. One of the main ways it is doing this is through the ECO4 scheme. ECO stands for Energy Company Obligation, and the fourth phase of the scheme runs until 2026.
ECO4 provides funding for households to install energy-saving measures such as insulation, solar panels, and air-source heat pumps. The focus is on helping lower income households and those living in homes that are hard to heat.
You may qualify if your property has a low Energy Performance Certificate rating or if someone in your household receives income-related benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit. In Pembrokeshire, where many homes are older and less energy efficient, there is a particularly high level of eligibility.
At Green Homes Group, we specialise in helping homeowners navigate this process. We do not install systems ourselves, but we can:
This means you can enjoy the benefits of a funded heat pump without the stress of managing a complex application.
An air-source heat pump is one of the most effective ways to make your home greener. Unlike fossil fuel systems, it does not rely on burning oil or gas to generate heat. This means that emissions are much lower.
By switching to an air-source heat pump, you can cut your carbon emissions by as much as 70 percent. Over the lifetime of the system, this makes a major difference to your personal environmental impact.
For a county like Pembrokeshire, which is famous for its national park, coastlines and wildlife, reducing emissions is especially important. Every household that makes the switch contributes to cleaner air and a healthier environment for local communities.
Many traditional systems, such as storage heaters or oil boilers, can create uneven heating. Some rooms feel too hot while others remain cold. Air-source heat pumps work differently. They provide steady, even heat throughout your home, keeping it comfortable all day long.
Because these systems are designed to work efficiently at low outdoor temperatures, they are reliable even during the damp, chilly winters Pembrokeshire often experiences. In fact, most models are capable of operating at temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius.
Another benefit is that many air-source heat pumps can also provide cooling during summer. By reversing the process, they can lower indoor temperatures during hot weather. This means you get both heating and cooling from a single system.
Energy efficiency is now a major consideration for buyers. With rising energy costs, households want properties that are economical to run. A home with an air-source heat pump already installed is more attractive because it offers lower energy bills and a reduced environmental impact.
Improving your heating system also boosts your Energy Performance Certificate rating. Homes with higher EPC ratings not only sell faster but also command higher prices. In property hotspots across Pembrokeshire, such as Tenby, Saundersfoot, and Narberth, this can make a real difference when it comes to resale value.
Another advantage of an air-source heat pump is its reliability. With the right care, most systems last between 15 and 20 years. This is often longer than the average gas or oil boiler.
Maintenance is also straightforward. An annual service is usually all that is required to keep the system running at peak efficiency. This involves checking refrigerant levels, filters, and general performance. Compared to managing oil deliveries, cleaning tanks, or dealing with frequent boiler breakdowns, it is far easier to manage.
One of the biggest strengths of an air-source heat pump is its flexibility. These systems can be adapted to suit a wide range of homes.
In rural Pembrokeshire, many older stone cottages currently rely on oil heating. These properties can often be upgraded with a heat pump, especially when combined with basic improvements such as insulation. Coastal homes also benefit, as the system provides reliable heat even in damp, windy conditions. Modern new-build properties can integrate heat pumps from the start, making them even more efficient.
Air-source heat pumps can be connected to both radiators and underfloor heating systems. They are most efficient with underfloor heating, but larger radiators can also work effectively. For off-grid homes, they offer a valuable alternative to costly oil or LPG deliveries, providing both independence and stability.
The future of heating in the UK is moving away from fossil fuels. The government has already announced that new homes will not be built with gas boilers. Over time, regulations will become stricter for existing homes as well.
Installing an air-source heat pump now ensures your home is ready for this future. It means you will not face rushed or expensive changes later. Instead, you will already have a system that complies with upcoming regulations and is designed to last for decades.
As Pembrokeshire continues to embrace renewable energy, households that have made the switch will also be well positioned to benefit from new initiatives such as smart grids or community energy schemes.
At Green Homes Group, our role is to support homeowners through the entire process. We are not installers ourselves. Instead, we act as your guide and point of contact to make the transition simple and stress-free.
Our services include:
This means you benefit from expert advice and maximum financial support, without the pressure of sales tactics.
Yes. With the right level of insulation, even older cottages can benefit from this technology.
No. Modern air-source heat pumps are very quiet. They typically produce a noise similar to a fridge.
Most installations take between two and five days, depending on the property size and complexity.
Yes. Some households can qualify if their home has a low EPC rating or if they are considered to be in fuel poverty.
An air-source heat pump in Pembrokeshire is an investment that pays off in many ways. It lowers your heating bills, reduces your carbon footprint, and makes your home more comfortable. It also increases property value and prepares your home for the future.
With ECO4 funding available, many households can access this technology at little or no cost. At Green Homes Group, we make the process straightforward by offering free surveys, managing applications, and connecting you with trusted local installers.
Book your free home survey today with Green Homes Group and take the first step towards a warmer, greener, and more affordable Pembrokeshire home.
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