Blog
We get it, switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump can feel like a big leap. You’ve probably heard the questions:
“Will it keep my house warm in winter?”
“Aren’t they really expensive?”
“Isn’t it too much hassle to upgrade my whole heating system?”
These concerns are completely valid. But let’s cut through the noise and talk honestly about what it’s really like to install and live with a heat pump, especially here in Scotland.
Short answer: yes, if it’s designed and installed properly.
Modern air source heat pumps are perfectly capable of heating homes in cold climates such as Scotland. The key isn’t just the technology, it’s the design. A poorly specified or oversized system can lead to poor performance. But a well-designed heat pump, tailored to your property’s heat loss and layout, will keep your home just as warm (if not warmer) than your old boiler.
At Renewable Heat, we don’t just “fit and forget”, we design each system around your home, your heating needs, and your lifestyle. No guesswork. No copy-paste installs.
Heat pumps can be more expensive up front than a replacement gas boiler, but the gap is shrinking, especially when you factor in Scottish Government grants of up to £7,500–£9,000. In some cases, the difference can be as little as £2,000.
And once your heat pump is in, the long-term savings begin, especially if you’re on the right electricity tariff. We’ve seen customers cut their heating bills by up to 60%, particularly when the system is paired with smart controls and energy monitoring.
But here’s the key point: you don’t have to upgrade everything at once. At Renewable Heat, we understand that the idea of overhauling your entire heating system, adding solar panels, installing a battery, and upgrading pipework can feel overwhelming, both financially and logistically. That’s why we take a staged approach, allowing you to start with just the heat pump, designed to work efficiently with your current radiators and setup.
Once you’re up and running, you can upgrade your system at your own pace:
This flexibility means you can spread the cost, start saving straight away, and make your renewable journey work for your budget and timeline. It’s one of the reasons so many of our customers choose Renewable Heat because we don’t push for all-or-nothing installs. We support you step by step, with the confidence that your system can evolve over time.
We’re proud to be one of the only renewable energy companies in Scotland that offers this phased approach, with real experience in helping homeowners start with a heat pump and build up to a full renewable heating system over time.
When you're ready to go further, we can help you:
It’s not about doing it all in one go; it’s about doing it right, in a way that works for your home and your budget.
Heat pumps aren’t a magical solution, but they are a smart, proven technology that can heat your home efficiently, reduce your running costs, and set you up for a low-carbon future. And with the right support, they’re not as daunting as they sound.
At Renewable Heat, we’re here to support you for the long term, not just sell you a product. Whether you're ready now or just curious, we’re happy to talk through your options honestly, with no pressure.
Email us at sales@renewableheat.com
Or call 0330 022 0480 for a friendly, no-obligation chat about your home
