Integrating Heat Pumps in Social Housing:Identifying Social and Technical Challenges

The adoption of heat pump systems (in European context) in local government-owned social housing is a key strategy for an equitable transition to net-zero goals. For the adoption of heat pumps in social housing to be successful, the relevant social and technical challenges must be identified and addressed. This paper utilizes a Multi-Level Perspective approach to identify these challenges, in a case study of 24 households in a social housing estate. For all properties, an installation audit was completed by a professional heat engineer, and residents were interviewed by the researchers. In addition, interviews are carried out with 3 heat pump engineers. We find that residents need further support to operate the new heat pump technology, and that the installation quality of heat pumps is subpar in many cases. Both of these factors reduce the operational performance of the heat pumps and the satisfaction of residents. Identifying these challenges provides empirical evidence of shortcomings in the decarbonization of residential heating. Finally, we also discuss directions through which these challenges can be addressed.