Smart Heat Pumps Could Cut Energy Bills and Ease Pressure on UK Power Grid, Study Finds
A new UK study suggests smart heat pumps could significantly cut household energy bills while easing pressure on the national electricity grid, without sacrificing comfort. Research led by the University of Southampton with energy supplier Good Energy tested smart air source heat pumps in 30 homes across southern England and found that automatically reducing heat pump use during peak demand periods lowered household electricity demand by about 90%, while indoor temperatures remained stable. The findings, published in Applied Energy, show that heat pumps equipped with flexibility controls could help stabilise the grid during high-demand times such as winter evenings, support the UK’s move away from fossil fuels, and reduce costs for consumers. The researchers say scaling up this technology through collaboration between energy companies, manufacturers and installers could play a key role in delivering a more resilient, low-carbon energy system as the UK works towards its net zero targets.