Heat pumps no greener than gas boilers, study shows

A PhD study at Ghent University has shown that heat pumps are no better for the environment than condensing boilers, De Standaard reports.

The research by Yanaika Decorte shows that the full environmental footprint of a heat pump is as large as that of a modern gas-fired boiler over a period of 60 years.

The climate advantage of heat pumps over gas boilers evaporates when the full environmental impact is taken into account. A major drawback of heat pumps is that they require many more materials than condensing boilers, such as copper, plastics and refrigerants.

According to professor of building technology Nathan Van Den Bossche, who supervised the thesis, the research shows that it makes no sense to rush to replace a well-functioning condensing boiler with a heat pump. Heat pump manufacturers should also urgently reduce the environmental impact of their appliances, he said.

^{#FlandersNewsService | An employee checks a heat pump on the production line at Vaillant Group in Remscheid, Germany, 2023 © PHOTO INA FASSBENDER / AFP}