Talks to Watch

This is Why Heat Pumps May NOT Be The Future

2.5M views · Jul 19, 2021 · 13:12 · 0 HN recommenders · 4 mentions · discussed 2021–2022

A UK tradesman's rant on the disadvantages of air source heat pumps, covering grants, heat pump types and whether they are worth it. He argues they are impractical for many British homes.

Why Hacker News points people here: HN uses it mostly as a contrarian or skeptical reference, with some commenters noting it glosses over details.

What Hacker News said 4

Cites itneilwilsonAug 2021

“Few domestic buildings in the UK have the space to install the huge and noisy air conditioning fan required”

Argues heat pumps are impractical for many UK homes.

Full comment

Few domestic buildings in the UK have the space to install the huge and noisy air conditioning fan required, never mind the insulated piping to get the heat into the house. It's a nice idea, but the reality is that most people will end up heating their water with a good old immersion heater. See this video The real problem is our buildings are badly built and insulated - and the new ones just aren't good enough.

in “Warmth from the earth and air: could heat pumps replace our gas boilers?” · view on HN
Cites itkblevDec 2021

“Heat pumps are rather inefficient according to this video”

Claims heat pumps are inefficient.

Full comment

Heat pumps are rather inefficient according to this video [1]. Are you not bothered by all the noise it generates? Why not just use electric heater instead of a heat pump? 1 - this video

in “New York City bans natural gas in new buildings” · view on HN
Cites itpolitelemonMar 2022

“a YouTube video explaining why heat pumps may not be so simple a solution at least in the UK”

Explains why heat pumps are not simple in the UK.

Full comment

I don't know how true this is since I'm no expert, there's a YouTube video explaining why heat pumps may not be so simple a solution at least in the UK this video Interestingly the prediction he made, regarding gas prices, did come true.

in “You and the planet need a heat pump” · view on HN
CriticalhasmaneanJul 2022

“For a video that glosses over the details but loudly proclaims this”

Full comment

For a video that glosses over the details but loudly proclaims this “ugly truth” there’s this one. I can’t tell if he is a paid shill for the gas industry or just obtuse, or maybe a voice of common sense in the wilderness…. this video

in “Heat pumps are efficient and eco-friendly. So why are they so rarely used?” · view on HN