Decarbonising heat through heat pumps is central to the energy transition but presents significant challenges for vulnerable households. Despite the increasing availability of funding for heat pump installations, the risk of higher heating costs remains a major barrier to acceptance, particularly for disadvantaged and fuel-poor households. KeepWarm will develop an innovative service proposition to help vulnerable households maintain and fund minimum indoor temperatures using smart, automated heat pump controls. This novel approach will deliver consumer health, energy system, and economic benefits while supporting a more cost-effective transition to a decarbonised energy system

Benefits

KeepWarm tackles a key barrier to heat decarbonisation for households facing fuel poverty and vulnerable living conditions. Heat pumps operate most efficiently when running continuously at low flow temperatures. However, many disadvantaged households rely on intermittent heating to manage energy costs—an approach that drastically reduces heat pump efficiency. This inefficiency creates a vicious cycle of higher bills, underheating, and increased risks of damp, poor health, and social exclusion.

To break this cycle, KeepWarm will introduce a new service model that leverages advanced, automated heat pump controls to help maintain minimum indoor temperatures. By improving heat pump efficiency and enabling participation in energy flexibility markets, the project aims to unlock system-wide value, reducing network constraints and avoiding costly infrastructure upgrades. The core focus of the project is to ensure that vulnerable, fuel-poor households are not left behind in the transition to net zero.