<p>Home owners need an education on air source heat pumps, according to Spitfire Homes, with research it has conducted revealing that only 19% of customers would be willing to pay more to have an air source pump in a new home.</p> <p><span>The Midland housebuilder’s research, involving more than 2,000 respondents, also showed that 37% preferred solar panels as a sustainable measure to generate renewable electricity. Air source heat pumps were the lowest priority choice, Spitfire said. This was against solar panels, smart heating systems, underfloor heating and car charging points.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>The SME also said that one in six of survey participants did not prioritise “any sustainable features at all”.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>Spitfire stated that air source heat pumps were four more times more efficient than gas boilers, “significantly reducing CO2 emissions and saving home owners on energy bills” through transferring energy from the outside air to water, heating rooms through radiators or underfloor heating. They also heat water stored in a cylinder for hot taps, showers and baths.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>Air source heat pumps are set to increasingly become a feature of new homes with the advent of the Future Homes Standard, which from 2025 will dictate the provision of low carbon heating and …