Award-winning local plumbing and heating company Synergi SW is offering free consultations in East Devon to find out if a heat pump is right for your home.

The company, which is rated 4.6/5 stars across 103 reviews on Trustpilot and has several of its team living in Sidmouth, described heat pumps as a "very efficient option" – provided the system is designed and installed with accuracy.

What is a heat pump?

In short, a heat pump takes heat from outside and brings it inside.

It uses electricity, but the amount of heat it sends into your home is much greater than the amount of electricity it uses.

You can control your heating and hot water systems for timings and temperatures just like a gas boiler, but Synergi SW recommends constant day and night temperatures for stable and gentle heat.

How expensive would it be?

Running costs for a heat pump would be very similar to a gas boiler, but much cheaper than oil, electric, or LPG boilers.

Synergi SW said that not all its clients have heat pumps to save money.

Instead, they prefer the constant, gentle heat and knowing they are having a lower carbon footprint. Since a heat pump uses the heat that is already in the environment, it doesn't burn any fuel and doesn't give off any carbon dioxide.

The cost of installing a heat pump is higher than installing a standard gas or oil boiler.

A three- or four-bedroom home can install an air source heat pump for an average cost of between £9,000 and £18,000 – but a government scheme is currently providing grants of £5,000 to £6,000 for upgrades until 2025.

It takes around three to seven days to install an air source heat pump, and around 14 days for a ground source heat pump.

Would a heat pump be right for my property?

A heat pump can be suitable for any size of home, but factors such as insulation levels and window glazing are really what determines if you should get one.

As a local approved installer, Synergi SW can do a bespoke assessment to find out if a heat pump is right for your property.

In terms of space, the main unit is installed outside and a further unit inside in a space such as a standard airing cupboard.

A spokesperson for Synergi SW said: "Ultimately a heat pump is a very bespoke system, tailored to each property; some homes are suitable, and some are not. We're here to advise people of that.

"As experts in all things heating (not just heat pumps), we will always advise the most suitable solution for the customer's requirements - be it a heat pump, gas boiler, oil boiler or something else.

"The best thing to do is give us a call for a no-obligation chat."

Call Synergi SW on 01404 234363 now for free.

Sidmouth Nub News is sponsored by Synergi SW. Without support from local community-minded companies and charities like them, we would not be able to provide the dedicated local news we do every week. Please support them.