Making Britain more environmentally friendly has become one of the Government's main aims in recent times.
Most recently, it announced that the installation of gas boilers in new homes would be banned from 2025.
As a result, heat pumps - a more eco-friendly alternative - are set to play a big role in hitting climate change targets and getting to carbon net-zero by 2050.
In fact, the Government has said it wants to fit 600,000 heat pumps in UK homes each year by 2028.
The Government said it will fit thousands of heat pumps - but are they suitable for all homes?
These pumps are a greener solution because they aren't powered by fossil fuels and are highly efficient. However, they may not be suitable for millions of UK homes.
David Holmes of comparison site Boiler Guide said: 'Heat pumps come at a considerable cost, so it is important that homeowners do their research on suitability before forking out.
'While the Government is rightly pushing for renewable heating solutions, a one size fits all approach is not going to work. There are many positives with heat pumps but they are not viable for every home in the UK.'
This is Money, with the help of Boiler Guide, outlines which types of properties could benefit from a heat pump - and what the alternatives are for homes where installing or using one might be tricky.
How does an air source heat pump work?An air source heat pump looks like an air conditioning unit that sits outside the home.
Unlike boilers, heat pumps don't create the heat, they simply move it from one place to another.
Air source heat pumps come with a fan unit which brings in heat from the air outside the home. The extracted heat is then condensed and used to produce hot water.
The hot water needs to be stored in a water cylinder inside the home, where it can supply radiators, taps and showers. The system runs on electricity and the two units are connected by copper pipework.
There is also the option of ground source heat pumps, which use pipes that are buried in the garden to extract heat from the ground.
This heat can then be used to heat radiators, under-floor or warm air heating systems and hot water in your home.
New gas boilers will be banned by the Government due to their effect on the environment
On average, an air source heat pump will cost between £9,000 to £13,000 to install, but this will vary depending on the complexity of the installation.
It's a big investment, but the Renewable Heat Incentive was brought in to help people recoup some of their money.
If you install an eligible system before the scheme closes in March 2022, the Government will pay you for the energy it generates for 7 years.
Two to three bedroom detached/semi-detached homeIf you live in a two or three bedroom home, you will likely be heating it with a gas boiler at the moment.
Heat pumps operate at a lower temperature than gas boilers, so if your home is not well-insulated a heat pump is unlikely to provide the warmth and comfort you need.
Gas boilers can heat water to 85 degrees centigrade while heat pumps reach just 55 degrees.
It is thought that 25million homes in the UK do not have adequate insulation, so if you have a draughty house, ripping out your gas boiler for a heat pump before investing in insulation is only going to make the situation worse.
Experts say it may not be sensible to have an air pump for terraced houses due to noise
Some 26 per cent of the UK population live in terraced houses, with some dating back to the 17th century.
Poor insulation and a lack of outdoor space could be problematic if you're considering installing a heat pump.
