Parliament Quietly Abandons Heat Pumps (they don’t want you to know)

Check out Silver Fox Hot Takes
@SilverFoxHotTakes
Open Water Heat Pump system at Kingston Heights
https://www.icax.co.uk/Kingston_Heights.html

________________________

Ever wonder why the government pushes green tech on you but bails when it doesn’t suit them? Meet the quiet scandal at the Houses of Parliament: they’ve ditched Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) after a hyped-up eco-push—and they’re hoping you won’t notice.

Why? ASHPs flopped hard. In London’s chilly winters, they barely hit a COP of 2.5, humming at 40-60 decibels—too noisy for Westminster’s peace. Bulky units clashed with the Gothic vibe, and they couldn’t heat the Palace’s massive 10-15 MW demand. So, MPs scrapped them, quietly sliding back to gas boilers while preaching Net Zero to the rest of us. Hypocrisy much?

But here’s the kicker: there’s a better fix they’re ignoring—Water Source Heat Pumps (WSHPs) from the Thames, flowing right past their doorstep.

Unlike ASHPs, WSHPs tap the river’s steady 7-10°C warmth (solar-heated, not tidal-made), delivering a COP of 4-6—way more efficient. The Thames’ tidal flow (65 m³/s) keeps the heat coming, no stagnation, no fuss.

Kingston’s already heating homes this way, saving 500 tonnes of CO₂ yearly, and South Westminster’s eyeing a £1B low-carbon network using Thames heat. Parliament could pull 10 MW with just 800 litres/second, a drop in the river’s bucket, capped at a 3°C cooling limit to protect fish.

So why stick to gas? MPs won’t say. This video dives into the U-turn, exposes the double standard, and pitches a green Thames solution they won’t share. Like, comment, and subscribe—should Parliament lead by example or keep dodging their own rules? Let’s call it out!

More From Skillbuilder – How Does A Heatpump Work?

About Dylan Garton

Dylan Garton is a co-founder, video producer and editor for the Skill Builder social media platforms.

Check Also

Mouldy Homes

BBC’s Mouldy Homes Scandal — The Vital Piece They Skipped on Panorama

The BBC Panorama documentary Britain’s Mouldy Homes, aired on 10 February 2025, investigates the worsening problem of dampness and mould in UK housing. The programme exposes tenants' shocking conditions, particularly in social housing and private rentals, where black mould has become a serious health hazard.