Sussex Heat Pump Installer

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a great opportunity for homeowners and small businesses in the UK to reduce the upfront cost of installing eco-friendly heating systems. This government initiative offers £7,500 grants for air source and ground source heat pumps, making it easier to switch to low-carbon options. There’s also a £5,000 grant available for biomass boilers.

To take advantage of the scheme, all you need to do is work with an MCS-certified installer. They’ll apply for the grant on your behalf, so the savings are applied directly to your installation costs. The scheme is open to homeowners and small property owners in England and Wales and has been extended to run until 2028.

This initiative is designed to help you reduce your energy bills and your carbon footprint, making your home more sustainable in the long run.

Applying for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a straightforward process, and we’ll guide you through it step by step:

1. Find an MCS-Certified Installer: First off, you’ll need to choose an installer who’s registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Don’t worry, they’ll handle the paperwork!

2. Get a Quote: Your installer will come round, assess your property, and provide a quote for installing your new heat pump or biomass boiler. They’ll also check if you qualify for the grant.

3. Installer Applies for You: Once you’re happy with everything, the installer submits the grant application on your behalf through Ofgem. You don’t have to fill out any forms yourself.

4. Grant Applied to Your Costs: If approved, the £7,500 grant is deducted from the overall cost, so you pay less upfront.

5. Confirmation: Ofgem will get in touch with you to confirm you’re ready to proceed. Once everything’s confirmed, the installer gets started on your new eco-friendly heating system.

It’s a hassle-free process, making it easier and more affordable for you to switch to low-carbon heating.

Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) are a great energy-saving solution for your home. They pull heat from the outside air, even in cold weather, and bring it indoors to keep your space warm and cosy. They work efficiently in temperatures as low as -15°C, making them ideal for the UK's chilly winters.

One of the big advantages of ASHPs is their efficiency. For every unit of electricity they use, they can generate up to three to five times that amount in heat. So not only will you stay warm, but you’ll also see savings on your energy bills.

To get the most out of an ASHP, it’s important that it’s installed correctly and it helps if your home is well insulated. This ensures the system runs at its best, keeping you comfortable all year round.

The cost of running a heat pump depends on a few things, like the design of your heating system, the size and insulation values of your home, your electricity rates and control strategy. 

In general, running costs of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) are comparable with running costs of a gas boiler, but a good design and a control strategy, particularly one that leverages cheap electricity tariffs and/or home batteries can provide massive savings.

The running costs are also influenced by the coefficient of performance (COP), which measures how efficiently your heat pump converts electricity into heat. In general, a combination of good property insulation and low temperature design will deliver a more efficient system leading to energy savings.

When it comes to heat pumps, the main difference between Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) and Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) is where they draw their heat from.

Air Source Heat Pumps grab heat from the air outside—even when it’s chilly—and use it to warm your home and water. They’re generally easier and cheaper to install, making them a popular choice. However, they can be a bit less efficient during those freezing winter days.

Ground Source Heat Pumps, on the other hand, pull heat from the ground through pipes buried underground. These systems are more efficient, especially in colder weather, but they need more space and can cost a lot more to install due to the digging involved. GSHPs are not viable in the majority of cases, but they make more sense at large outputs or in niche outdoor situations with regards to landscaping and planning.

While air source heat pumps are the obvious solution in most situations, both are eco-friendly alternatives to traditional heating, helping you reduce your carbon footprint while keeping your property toasty.

When it comes to heating your home, there are some key differences between Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) and traditional boilers.

Heat Generation: An ASHP pulls heat from the air outside—even when it’s cold—and transfers it into your home. Boilers, whether gas or oil, burn fuel to produce heat directly. Boilers are typically supplying heat at a high temperature for shorter periods, whereas heat pumps operate at low temperatures for longer periods which makes for a more comfortable indoor environment.

Efficiency: ASHPs are more efficient, often producing 3-5 units of heat for every unit of electricity used. Boilers, especially older ones, aren’t as efficient, converting 80-90% of fuel into heat.

Running Costs: With some level of proper insulation and a good system design, ASHPs tend to be cheaper to run, whereas boilers come with higher fuel costs, depending on gas or oil prices. A big benefit of heat pumps using electricity is you can take advantage of time of use and type of use tariffs to further increase energy savings.

Environmental Impact: Using the carbon intensity figures of the UK electrical supply, ASHPs are the greener option as they significantly reduce carbon emissions due to their high efficiency. Boilers, on the other hand, emit CO₂ by burning fossil fuels at the point of use at a relatively poor efficiency. This amounts to roughly a 75% carbon saving by switching to a heat pump, and more if you are on a renewable energy tariff.

In short, ASHPs are a more eco-friendly and cost-effective choice in the long run, though they often have higher upfront installation costs. Boilers are often cheaper to install but can cost more to run over time, and they aren’t as environmentally friendly.

When choosing a heat pump, the key difference between air-to-water and air-to-air heat pumps is how they warm your home.

Air-to-Water Heat Pumps: These systems take heat from the air outside and transfer it into water, which is then used to heat your home through radiators or underfloor heating. They also provide hot water for your taps. If you already have a water-based central heating system, this is a great option. These systems deliver a comfortable temperature and grade of heat throughout.

Air-to-Air Heat Pumps: Instead of using water, these units transfer heat directly from the outside air into warm air inside your home. They are ideal for homes without radiators and typically distribute heat through fans or ducts. As a bonus, they can also cool your home in the summer by reversing the process. Air heating doesn't feel as comfortable as radiant heat from wet heating systems, but the effect of air heating or cooling is fast.

Efficiency and Cost: Both options are similarly energy efficient. Air-to-water systems are more versatile since they handle both heating and hot water, while air-to-air systems are simpler and cheaper to install but only provide space heating (or cooling in summer). However, the BUS grant of £7500 is only available for air to water systems, so this needs to be factored in if you are eligible.

In short, if you need both heating and hot water and you would like to claim the BUS grant, an air-to-water system is your best bet. For straightforward heating or cooling, particularly in an open plan space, an air-to-air system is a good, cost-effective choice.

Heat pumps, especially Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), do create some noise, mainly from the external unit where the fan and compressor are located. On average, the noise is around 40 to 60 decibels—similar to the sound of a modern fridge or light rain. The exact noise level depends on the model, how it’s installed, where it's placed and how hard it is working.

While you may notice it when standing close to the unit, modern ASHPs are designed to be quiet. Many are installed away from bedrooms to minimise any chance of disturbance. On the other hand, Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) are generally much quieter because most of the equipment is underground or indoors.

To reduce any potential noise, it's important to ensure the heat pump is installed in the right spot—away from sensitive areas. Plus, all heat pumps must pass a sound assessment at design stage, so you won’t have to worry about them being a nuisance to neighbours.