The initiative, aimed at reducing barriers to heat pump adoption, has already encouraged many visitors to install their own systems.
Regions with the highest number of hosts include Buckinghamshire, Shropshire, and Bristol, while Lambeth, Edinburgh, and Stockport recorded the most visits.
Visitors, including Lawrence from Kent, who went on to install a heat pump, are sharing their experiences of how the service helped them make informed decisions.
Removing barriers to low-carbon heating
With only 250,000 heat pumps installed in UK homes, many people are unfamiliar with how they work or their benefits. The Visit a Heat Pump platform connects interested homeowners with heat pump owners nearby, enabling them to see installations firsthand and ask questions.
The service also includes 200 heat pump installers, allowing visitors to connect directly with recommended professionals, boosting trust in the process. Early data shows the initiative is breaking down psychological barriers, with 79% of visitors feeling more confident about heat pump installation after their visit, compared to just 21% before.
Nesta’s deputy director of sustainable future, Katy King, said: “Heat pumps are the most efficient low-carbon alternative for heating our homes. But it can be difficult for homeowners to make the switch without first seeing one in real life and understanding how it could work in their home.
“It’s promising to see that six months in, our Visit a Heat Pump service is making a meaningful difference. Our research shows that visits provide people with a better understanding of heat pumps, improving their confidence levels and helping them move forward with an installation.
“If more people can see the benefits of a heat pump in action, more people can upgrade their home heating, and the UK can get one step closer to net zero.”
Minister for Energy Consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh, added: “Just as you would take a car for a test drive or try a paint sample in your home, of course it makes sense to visit a heat pump before you buy one.
“Heat pumps are a key part of our Warm Homes Plan, which will help transform homes across the country by making them cheaper and cleaner to run.
Transforming homes across the country
“It is fantastic to see the early impact of Nesta’s scheme, with people not only installing a heat pump because of it but also making their installation available to view to help others.”
Emily Seymour, energy editor at Which?, said: “Which? and Nesta both recognise that navigating the world of home energy efficiency can be daunting, so it’s encouraging to see that Nesta’s initiative has been welcomed by so many consumers already.
“Which? is also encouraging homeowners to boost their knowledge and take control of their energy efficiency using our own free, reliable, and personalised home energy tool that empowers people to make informed decisions, reduce their energy bills, and contribute to a greener future.”
Aadil Qureshi, co-founder and CEO of Heat Geek, added: “Visiting a heat pump and speaking to its owner is the best way to dispel myths and misconceptions. This fantastic initiative is a great way to educate homeowners through human connection.”
Real-life success stories
Jonathan, a heat pump owner from Kent, said: “I want people to understand that you can have a house heated in a very normal way. That understanding, combined with my natural extrovert tendencies, made me feel like I could help people.”
Lawrence, an 80-year-old visitor from Kent, shared: “Visiting this really nice, welcoming chap named Jonathan confirmed I ought to do it. It reassured my wife as well. I told [the host] as I left that I’d made up my mind and was getting one. It moved me from doing more research to actually going ahead.”
Dan, a visitor from Cambridge, noted:“I booked a visit after finding someone with a house I could immediately compare to – same size house, same type. It was the catalyst towards me getting one.”
Lucy, a heat pump owner and host from south-west London, concluded: “Ultimately, the fact that I have made this shift in my home is great, but I need everyone else to do it too. I want everyone on my street to run their home with a heat pump, or some form of non-fossil-fuel-based heating.”
Image: Dreamstime