At Harvard Renewables, we believe in practising what we preach. So when Co-Director Bo made the decision to upgrade the heating system in his 1930s Belvedere home, he chose the same solution he recommends to customers every day, a low-carbon Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP).
Installed in June 2025, the system has now been running for almost six months, through warm weather, cooler autumn nights, and now the sharp turn into winter.
The verdict? Confidence well-placed.
Why Bo chose an ASHP for his own home
For Bo, choosing an ASHP wasn’t just about reducing bills or upgrading old equipment. It was about demonstrating his complete belief in the technology.
“If I’m recommending heat pumps to homeowners in our community, I want to be able to say I use one myself, and I trust it. Installing one at home wasn’t a marketing decision. It was the obvious choice,” said Bo.
With a family, rising energy costs, and a commitment to lower-carbon living, replacing his ageing gas boiler made perfect sense.
Six months later…
Now that the ASHP has seen Bo’s household through a range of temperatures and conditions, especially the current cold snap, he’s even more convinced of its value in several key areas.
One of the biggest concerns homeowners often raise is noise. But for Bo, this worry disappeared immediately: “It’s so quiet that my wife actually asked me if it was even working. You can barely hear it running.”
The outdoor unit sits neatly at the side of the house, producing little more than a gentle hum, far quieter than many expect.
ASHPs work efficiently all year round, and Bo’s system has demonstrated exactly that. This winter has brought sudden drops in temperature, yet the heat pump has kept the home comfortable, with Bo saying: “We’ve had consistent heating and hot water, even on frosty mornings. It hasn’t missed a beat.”
One of Bo’s main motivations was reducing the environmental impact of his household.
“It feels good knowing our emissions have dropped. You really do feel the difference in both performance and carbon output,” he added.
Switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump can reduce a home’s carbon emissions dramatically, especially when paired with a smart thermostat and improved insulation.
Bo’s previous boiler was typical of many homes across Greater London, Essex and Kent. It was ageing, less efficient, and increasingly costly to run. He says: “The efficiency of the heat pump is leagues ahead of the old boiler. The system just works smarter, and you can tell by the lower running costs and more consistent heating that is has proved a clear win for my family.”
Leading by example
Seeing a director install the same technology he promotes sends a powerful message to homeowners who may still be unsure about heat pumps.
For Bo, it’s all about transparency and trust: “I’d never advise a customer to install something I wouldn’t use myself. Now I can talk about ASHPs from personal experience, not just as an installer, but as a homeowner.”
Thinking about making the switch?
Bo’s experience is a real-world example of how effective, quiet, and reliable Air Source Heat Pumps can be.
If you’re based in Orpington, Bromley, Sidcup, Sevenoaks, Belvedere, or anywhere across Kent, Harvard Renewables can help you explore the best low-carbon heating solution for your home.
Get in touch today to book a consultation or learn more about Air Source Heat Pump installations.
