The Work to Make a Heat Pump Work – Investigation into the Adoption of Domestic Heat Pumps through Social Practice and Complex Systems

Sarah L Wilkie; Qiushuo Cheng; Cicely E Mathews; Abdelrahman A A A Otify; Fin J Schofield; Ellen Weir; Paul Marshall; Aisling Ann O'Kane

The Work to Make a Heat Pump Work – Investigation into the Adoption of Domestic Heat Pumps through Social Practice and Complex Systems

Sarah L Wilkie^*, Qiushuo Cheng, Cicely E Mathews, Abdelrahman A A A Otify, Fin J Schofield, Ellen Weir, Paul Marshall, Aisling Ann O'Kane

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

Abstract

To reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the UK government is replacing domestic gas boilers with heat pumps, necessitating an understanding of the challenges faced by users in adopting this new technology. We surveyed 50 early adopters of heat pumps and conducted 23 follow-up interviews to explore their experiences of installation and adaptation. Using Thematic Analysis, we identified key themes within the framework of social practice theory, highlighting important implications for enhancing heat pump installation and adoption processes. Our findings suggest that improved infrastructural support, user education, and adaptive design can enhance engagement and satisfaction, shaping future policy and design strategies for renewable home energy systems. We aim to further understanding on the complexities of heat pump adoption and offer strategies to support a smoother transition to sustainable heating within the home.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	The ACM Computing and Sustainable Societies 2025 (COMPASS 2025)
Publisher	Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 23 Mar 2025

Research Groups and Themes

Digital Health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Wilkie, S. L., Cheng, Q., Mathews, C. E., Otify, A. A. A. A., Schofield, F. J., Weir, E., Marshall, P., & O'Kane, A. A. (Accepted/In press). The Work to Make a Heat Pump Work – Investigation into the Adoption of Domestic Heat Pumps through Social Practice and Complex Systems. In The ACM Computing and Sustainable Societies 2025 (COMPASS 2025) Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).

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title = "The Work to Make a Heat Pump Work – Investigation into the Adoption of Domestic Heat Pumps through Social Practice and Complex Systems",

abstract = "To reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the UK government is replacing domestic gas boilers with heat pumps, necessitating an understanding of the challenges faced by users in adopting this new technology. We surveyed 50 early adopters of heat pumps and conducted 23 follow-up interviews to explore their experiences of installation and adaptation. Using Thematic Analysis, we identified key themes within the framework of social practice theory, highlighting important implications for enhancing heat pump installation and adoption processes. Our findings suggest that improved infrastructural support, user education, and adaptive design can enhance engagement and satisfaction, shaping future policy and design strategies for renewable home energy systems. We aim to further understanding on the complexities of heat pump adoption and offer strategies to support a smoother transition to sustainable heating within the home.",

author = "Wilkie, {Sarah L} and Qiushuo Cheng and Mathews, {Cicely E} and Otify, {Abdelrahman A A A} and Schofield, {Fin J} and Ellen Weir and Paul Marshall and O'Kane, {Aisling Ann}",

year = "2025",

month = mar,

day = "23",

language = "English",

booktitle = "The ACM Computing and Sustainable Societies 2025 (COMPASS 2025)",

publisher = "Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)",

address = "United States",

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The Work to Make a Heat Pump Work – Investigation into the Adoption of Domestic Heat Pumps through Social Practice and Complex Systems. / Wilkie, Sarah L ; Cheng, Qiushuo ; Mathews, Cicely E et al.
The ACM Computing and Sustainable Societies 2025 (COMPASS 2025). Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), 2025.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

TY - GEN

T1 - The Work to Make a Heat Pump Work – Investigation into the Adoption of Domestic Heat Pumps through Social Practice and Complex Systems

AU - Wilkie, Sarah L

AU - Cheng, Qiushuo

AU - Mathews, Cicely E

AU - Otify, Abdelrahman A A A

AU - Schofield, Fin J

AU - Weir, Ellen

AU - Marshall, Paul

AU - O'Kane, Aisling Ann

PY - 2025/3/23

Y1 - 2025/3/23

N2 - To reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the UK government is replacing domestic gas boilers with heat pumps, necessitating an understanding of the challenges faced by users in adopting this new technology. We surveyed 50 early adopters of heat pumps and conducted 23 follow-up interviews to explore their experiences of installation and adaptation. Using Thematic Analysis, we identified key themes within the framework of social practice theory, highlighting important implications for enhancing heat pump installation and adoption processes. Our findings suggest that improved infrastructural support, user education, and adaptive design can enhance engagement and satisfaction, shaping future policy and design strategies for renewable home energy systems. We aim to further understanding on the complexities of heat pump adoption and offer strategies to support a smoother transition to sustainable heating within the home.

AB - To reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the UK government is replacing domestic gas boilers with heat pumps, necessitating an understanding of the challenges faced by users in adopting this new technology. We surveyed 50 early adopters of heat pumps and conducted 23 follow-up interviews to explore their experiences of installation and adaptation. Using Thematic Analysis, we identified key themes within the framework of social practice theory, highlighting important implications for enhancing heat pump installation and adoption processes. Our findings suggest that improved infrastructural support, user education, and adaptive design can enhance engagement and satisfaction, shaping future policy and design strategies for renewable home energy systems. We aim to further understanding on the complexities of heat pump adoption and offer strategies to support a smoother transition to sustainable heating within the home.

M3 - Conference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

BT - The ACM Computing and Sustainable Societies 2025 (COMPASS 2025)

PB - Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

ER -

The Work to Make a Heat Pump Work – Investigation into the Adoption of Domestic Heat Pumps through Social Practice and Complex Systems

Abstract

Research Groups and Themes

UN SDGs

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