Record number of heat pumps to be sold this year despite high upfront cost

Heat pumps have the potential to reduce global carbon emissions by at least 500 million tonnes in 2030 — equal to the annual CO2 emissions of all cars in Europe today.

Record numbers of heat pumps are expected to be sold globally this year but remain up to four times as costly as a gas boiler upfront, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Heat pumps form a major part of Ireland's emissions reduction plans in the coming years, because of their more climate-friendly credentials as well as their cost-saving.