<\/span><\/h2>\nHeat pumps create a new electrical heating load<\/h3>\n
A fossil boiler consumes fuel inside the building. A heat pump transfers much of this demand to the electricity system.<\/p>\n
This change can reduce fossil-fuel use and overall primary energy demand. However, it also increases electricity demand at the building connection, local transformer and distribution feeder.<\/p>\n
The International Energy Agency reported in its 2026 Heat Pump Monitor that heat pumps represented approximately 2% to 16% of annual peak electricity demand across major markets in 2024. The IEA described the peak impacts as manageable while also identifying heat pumps as a new source of demand flexibility.<\/p>\n
The highest demand often occurs in cold weather<\/h3>\n
Heat demand rises as outdoor temperature falls. Air-source heat pump efficiency normally falls at the same time.<\/p>\n
The compressor must therefore work harder. Defrost cycles may also occur. If an electric backup heater starts, the electrical load can rise sharply.<\/p>\n
This makes the cold-weather operating point more important than the nominal data shown for mild conditions.<\/p>\n
Many heat pumps can operate at the same time<\/h3>\n
A single residential heat pump is normally a manageable load. A neighbourhood of heat pumps can create a larger coincident peak.<\/p>\n
Cold weather affects many buildings at once. Morning heating recovery and hot-water preparation can also occur at similar times.<\/p>\n
This is called load coincidence<\/strong>. It is a central issue for local distribution system operators.<\/p>\nOther electrical loads increase the combined impact<\/h3>\n
The heat pump is rarely the only major electrical load. A modern building may also include:<\/p>\n