Heat pump owner in Harlaxton is facing crippling electric bills - and lounge remains cold

A man who replaced his heating system with a £25,000 Government-backed 'green' heat pump says he has faced "crippling" electric bills - amounting to almost £3000 so far this winter.

Officials are currently providing grants for up to £5,000 to home owners who remove a gas central heating and hot water system and replace it with a heat pump.

But the new system - backed by many in the green lobby - has apparently left many UK homeowners in the cold.

Steve Mason, 58, from Harlaxton, spent thousands on his brand new system and says he has seen his bills rocket despite his living room being a mere 14 degrees and having to sit in layers of warm clothing.

He said that if given the choice he would "rip it out" and replace it with a more cost effective solution as he doesn't believe the government "have thought the policy through".

The company director, who started using the system in July, said: "I have no choice but to use it as it's my only source of heating and hot water in my house, but what we've found is that we don't think the government have really thought this through.

"This year so far alone, my electric bill has reached £1,461 after the government help and my direct debit each month is £650 - it's crippling.

"I'm fortunate that I'm in a position where I can make cutbacks, but not everyone's family can.

"My lounge is cold, it's 14.5 degrees despite my thermostat being set to 20. I have to sit with a jumper on and put the log burner on which completely defeats the object.

"If I had the choice I would rip it out and replace it, definitely. If I did it all again I wouldn't put it in at all, I would get a clean oil boiler and put solar panels in.

"I understand the energy and climate crisis, but my concern is that the government is pushing this 'green alternative' that isn't cost effective."

Based on the same technology as refrigerators, the air pump pulls heat out from outside air and into the house, and can be run on renewably generated electricity - making them carbon neutral.

However with the highest electricity prices, the least insulated homes in Europe and the apparent inefficiency in colder temperatures, early adopters are counting the cost of going green.

Steve said: "Some people say it works for them, and that really is great but there's too much anecdotal evidence saying that these just aren't working.

"Something's fundamentally wrong with the policy, I want to know why the government thinks this is the way forward and what evidence there is to say that."