• Heat pumps improve indoor air quality by reducing pollutants and allergens compared to traditional heating systems like gas boilers.
  • They help regulate temperature and humidity, reducing health issues like headaches, respiratory problems, and mould growth.
  • Heat pumps offer health benefits, prompting recommendations for their adoption to improve national health and air quality.

Will switching from natural gas boilers to electric heat pumps improve indoor air quality and national health?

Heat pumps could play a key role in improving national health. These devices offer more than just energy-efficient heating and cooling. They can also create healthier homes by improving indoor air quality.

Traditional heating systems, like gas boilers, generate heat by burning fuel. This process releases pollutants and allergens into the air. These harmful particles can cause respiratory issues, especially for those with asthma or allergies. 

Heat pumps work differently. Instead of burning fuel, they extract heat from the air, water, or ground. This means they don’t release harmful pollutants into the home.

The Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) released an Indoor Air Quality Report in 2022. The report, sanctioned by the UK Government, details the dangers of natural gas boilers.

“In the UK domestic boilers primarily operate on natural gas (~ 93% methane plus some ethane and propane). The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) estimates that around 95% of emissions from domestic gas consumption are from use of domestic boilers with the remaining 5% from use of gas fires and gas cookers.

Heating boilers are typically located within a house or garage and vent combustion gases outside. Given the proximity of the exhaust from domestic boilers to buildings, there is the potential for ingress of some of those exhaust gases back into the indoor environment.”

Not only are natural gas boilers a serious source of household emissions, but the exhaust is contributing to dangerous indoor environments. The most extreme cases of boiler malfunctions can cause carbon monoxide and CO2 leaks. According to the same report, these malfunctions are responsible for around 20 deaths annually in England and Wales. 

Heat pumps also help reduce allergens in the air

They filter out dust, pollen, and other particles. For families with asthma or allergies, this makes a big difference. Fewer airborne irritants mean fewer symptoms.

Another benefit is temperature control. Heat pumps maintain a steady indoor temperature. Sudden changes in temperature can lead to headaches, fatigue, and other health problems. By providing consistent heating and cooling, heat pumps help prevent these issues.

Humidity is another factor that affects health. Too much humidity can cause mould growth, leading to respiratory issues. Heat pumps help regulate indoor humidity, keeping it at comfortable and healthy levels.

The AQEG recommends investment in heat pumps to improve indoor air quality and health:

“The decarbonisation of homes is likely to improve indoor air quality by removing substantial NOx and PM2.5 sources such as gas cooking, gas and solid fuel fires and gas boilers. AQEG would recommend that the possible changes in indoor concentrations, and consequential health benefits, from home decarbonisation are empirically evaluated since this may strengthen the economic case for investment.”

Better air, consistent temperatures, and fewer pollutants make heat pumps a smart choice for healthier living.