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An air source heat pump is a smart and efficient way to heat your home and water—using energy from the air outside, even in freezing temperatures! It works a bit like a fridge, but in reverse. Instead of keeping things cool, it uses a fan, refrigerant circuit, and compressor to extact heat from the air and transfer it into your radiators, underfloor heating, and hot water system.
And the best part? It’s super efficient—delivering 3 to 5 times more heat energy than the electricity it uses. Most heat pumps keep working down to -15°C, which is much colder than the UK’s average winter temperature of 2 to 7°C. That’s why they’re already popular in places like Norway and Sweden.
They’re not new—heat pumps have been around for decades—but they’re now transforming the way we heat our homes, helping us move away from gas and towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
First, you’ll need some outdoor space. Heat pumps require clearances on all sides to maintain airflow and allow for maintenance. As a general guide, you’ll need a space about 1.7m wide (the width of a standard bath) by 1.3m deep. Also, newer units use a flammable refrigerant, so they can’t be installed next to doors.
Now, what about insulation? There’s a common myth that heat pumps only work in well-insulated homes, but that’s not true! They’re successfully heating all kinds of properties—from high-performance passive houses to single-glazed homes. Inside tip: Your home’s EPC gives a great snapshot of past upgrades, build date, and insulation levels.
Inside your home, you’ll need space for a hot water cylinder, traditionally in an airing cupboard. You might also need larger radiators because heat pumps run at lower temperatures than gas or oil boilers, meaning they need a bigger surface area to provide the same warmth. If you have underfloor heating, that’s ideal.
There may also be some pipework upgrades, as heat pumps need about four times the flow rate of a modern gas boiler.
Additionally, your electric and water supply will be checked to make sure everything will be safe and work well.
Finally, if you have a large and/or poorly insulated home, you might need more than one heat pump unit, known as a cascade system, or an additional backup heater. Most single units max out at around 13kW, which is enough for most properties.
We know this is a lot to consider, but a quality installer will take care of all these details to make sure your system is right for your home!
When it comes to the cost of installing an air source heat pump, you’re typically looking at anywhere from £12,500 to £25,000. However, if you’re eligible for the BUS grant, you’ll save £7,500.
So, what affects the cost? Some big examples are:
– The size and location of the heat pump and hot water cylinder
– The brand and quality of the equipment
– The number of radiator replacements and pipework upgrades
– And the base, drainage, and electrical requirements for the heat pump
It really does depend on your property. Ultimately, it’s important to speak with an industry professional (not a salesperson).
Good news: There’s no VAT on heat pump installations since they qualify as an energy-saving material—unlike traditional heating systems, which are subject to 20% VAT.
Here’s a money-saving tip: The 0% VAT covers all items installed as part of the heat pump system, so if you’re thinking of adding underfloor heating, a water softener, or even a booster pump to increase water pressure, you could save a pretty penny by purchasing them at the same time as your heat pump.
Now, let’s talk grants! The most common grant is the BUS (Boiler Upgrade Scheme), which is available to homeowners who haven’t already received a heat pump grant, such as the RHI. You’ll also need an EPC. For full eligibility details, head over to OFGEM’s website.
There are also grants like ECO4 for low-income households, so if you think you qualify, make sure to check those out!
Air source heat pumps are incredibly efficient, but getting the system design right is crucial.
The minimum efficiency for an MCS-compliant installation is 280%. But the national average? That’s around 340%. A skilled installer, using top-quality design practices, can push that up to an impressive 400% or even 500%.
These efficiency figures are annual averages, meaning they account for the fact that heat pumps perform better in warmer weather and less efficiently when it’s cold. This efficiency is often measured as SCOP—Seasonal Coefficient of Performance. For example, SCOP 3 is 300%, and SCOP 5 is 500%.
Now, let’s compare this to traditional fossil fuel boilers. They typically operate at around 80 to 95% efficiency, so heat pumps are already looking pretty great.
You might be thinking, ‘But electricity is more expensive than gas,’ and you’re right. However, when you factor in the efficiency, a heat pump running at a SCOP of 3.5 can cost roughly the same as gas and even be a little cheaper than oil.
The real game-changer? By using time-of-use tariffs, solar PV, and battery storage, you could see significant savings.
And here’s the big environmental takeaway: As of today, the carbon intensity of the electrical grid is similar to burning gas. But thanks to the high efficiency of heat pumps, you can reduce your carbon emissions by around 75%, making a real difference for the planet.
Energy consumption is highly individual, depending on factors like property size, insulation, occupancy, location, and indoor temperature. Annual running costs can vary, but based on OFGEM’s 2024 price cap, a typical home will range from £600 to £1500.
With heat pumps, the higher the SCOP, the lower the running costs—so system design is key. An MCS-compliant proposal or heat loss calculation will give you projected running costs, but if you’re switching from an existing boiler, a heat pump running at an average SCOP of 3.5 should cost about the same using peak unit rates.
However, heat pumps really shine in their versatility. For example:
– Using time-of-use tariffs to heat your home and hot water during off-peak hours.
– Taking advantage of discounted rates on heat pump consumption.
– Storing power with battery storage purchased during off-peak times for use at peak hours.
– Using solar PV generation, especially for heating hot water.
Here’s something to consider: heating your hot water with an overnight rate costs around a third of the price of gas, leading to potential significant savings. Plus, if you have your gas meter removed, you’ll no longer pay the gas standing charge, which could save you around £130 a year.
In summary, with careful design and smart energy management, heat pumps offer not only environmental benefits but also long-term financial savings.
To keep your heat pump running smoothly, it’s important to service the heat pump, cylinder, and controls annually. It’s also a requirement of most manufacturers’ warranties to have the heat pump serviced every year.
The cost of an annual service typically ranges from £200 to £350, including VAT at 20%. Pay-monthly service plans may also be available.
Typical service tasks include:
– Cleaning the evaporator and outdoor unit
– Cleaning system filters
– Servicing the hot water cylinder
– Recharging expansion vessels
– Monitoring and optimizing the heat pump controls and performance
– Maintaining exterior pipework insulation
Things you can do yourself include:
– Keep system pressure between 1 and 1.5 bar
– Report any leaks or faults as soon as possible
– Refrain from changing settings that your trusted installer has configured for optimum comfort and performance
A heat pump can last up to 25 years, depending on installation quality, design, product, servicing, and usage. Manufacturer warranties typically cover the heat pump and controls for 5-7 years, hot water cylinders for 25 years, and other components for 2 years.
In short, regular servicing helps ensure your heat pump performs at its best for many years, delivering reliable comfort and energy efficiency.
Let’s talk about heat pump noise—because we know that’s a common concern!
Manufacturers list decibel (dB) ratings for their heat pumps, typically ranging from 54 to 66 dB. But here’s something to keep in mind—decibels are measured on a logarithmic scale, which means a 10 dB increase is actually twice as loud!
So, what does that mean for installation? Well, the size of the heat pump you need can have a big impact on where it can go.
This is where MCS020 comes in—a sound assessment that installers follow after calculating your heat loss and selecting the right unit. The goal? Making sure that, at the nearest neighboring window to a habitable room, the heat pump isn’t louder than the background noise—which usually means a neighbor’s living room or bedroom.
To meet these guidelines, sometimes acoustic barriers are needed, like a solid fence. You could even get creative with a decorative trellis, as long as the heat pump isn’t visible through it. And let’s be honest—you might want screening for aesthetic reasons too!
Now, what about noise in your own home? A few smart choices can help:
– Install the unit away from bedrooms or other sensitive areas
– Use “quiet hours” settings to lower output overnight
– Consider carefully when mounting directly on walls, as this can cause vibrations
But here’s the reality—in most cases, heat pumps are pretty quiet. In fact, many customers tell us that when compared to a gas boiler flue, the heat pump is often quieter.
So, while noise is something to consider, it’s already built into the design process—and for most homes, it’s not an issue at all.
Good news! The government has made it easier to install heat pumps by relaxing the rules—most installations now fall under permitted development.
Here are the key points:
– You can now place your heat pump as close to your property boundary as you like.
– If your heat pump is mounted above ground level, it must not be visible from the road frontage.
– If you have a detached home and need multiple heat pumps (a cascade system), you’re allowed to install them as long as the total unit size stays under 1.5m³. If it’s larger, you’ll need to submit a planning application. In most cases, this covers two twin-fan units.
A few important things to keep in mind:
– You’ll still need to pass a sound assessment.
– Manufacturer and refrigerant clearances still apply
– Permitted development doesn’t apply to conservation areas or certain listed buildings, so it’s always best to check with your local planning authority to confirm the rules for your property.
And one crucial reminder:
If your installation requires planning permission, it’s your responsibility as the homeowner to apply for it—not your installer’s. If permission isn’t secured when needed, your local planning department could ask you to relocate or even remove the unit.
Of course, as your installer, we’re here to guide and support you as much as possible.
Every company will have it’s own process, so I’ll tell you ours at [company name].
– Step 1: Enquiry. If you head to the heat pump page on our website you should be able to find our estimating tool. Fill this form out. It takes two minutes.
– Step 2: Estimate. We’ll review your property details, and provide you with a free estimate which is an approximate idea of costs. This enables to quickly assess feasibility and proceed with more confidence.
– Step 3: Design. We’ll book a design consultation at a convenient time for you. This includes a full room by room heat loss calculation, and a system design and specification. This should take 2-5 hours and is a chargeable service.
– Step 4: Proposal. This is a fixed price quotation and includes information on the equipment to be installed, as well as projected efficiency and running cost.
– Step 5: Deposit. This is 25% and secures your booking.
– Step 6: Pre-requisites. Make sure any planning permission, electrical supply upgrades and any other items identified in your proposal have been addressed.
– Step 7: Installation. A further 25% is due by the start date. Typically, the installation will take around a week.
– Step 8: Commissioning and handover. Your new system is explained and demonstrated to you in preparation for your new life of clean energy comfort. You’ll also receive a handover document with information like warranties and maintenance requirements.
– Step 9: Full payment on completion, and if we’ve claimed the BUS grant for you, then the value of this is deducted.
– Step 10: Follow up. We will be in touch after installation, at a seasonally appropriate time, to make sure the heat pump is performing as well as possible.
So that’s our process here at Option Energy Solutions. We’d love to help you with your heat pump installation so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Vaillant make a fantastic and extremely versatile unit with the same heating controls that the UK is familiar with from their boiler range.
We have many of these units out there performing brilliantly.
Viessmann are the pinnacle in German engineering and our heat pump manufacturer partner.
We are confident to say that you cannot get better than a Viessmann heat pump installation.
“With 20 years experience in the trade, and 10 as owner/engineer for Option, Michael has the experience at both the technical and customer service ends of the business to ensure your heat pump installation experience is the best it can be”
All the big Heat Pump questions answered below
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:
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!
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.
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.
Grant Applied to Your Costs: If approved, the £7,500 grant is deducted from the overall cost, so you pay less upfront.
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 or four 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 that 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 type of system, the size of your home, and local electricity rates. In general, Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) are cheaper to install but might cost a little more to run than Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs), especially when it’s really cold, as ASHPs have to work harder.
On average, you can expect an ASHP to cost between £500 to £1,000 per year to run, while a GSHP may cost between £400 to £700 per year, thanks to their higher efficiency. That said, both options can lead to big savings on your energy bills compared to traditional gas or oil heating, particularly if your home is well insulated.
The running costs are also influenced by the coefficient of performance (COP), which measures how efficiently your heat pump converts electricity into heat. The better the insulation and the more efficient the system, the more you’ll save in the long run.
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 bit more to install due to the digging involved.
Both are eco-friendly alternatives to traditional heating, helping you reduce your carbon footprint while keeping your home 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.
Efficiency: ASHPs are more efficient, often producing 3-4 units of heat for every unit of electricity used. Boilers, especially older ones, aren’t as efficient, converting less fuel into heat.
Running Costs: With proper insulation, ASHPs tend to be cheaper to run, whereas boilers come with higher fuel costs, depending on gas or oil prices.
Environmental Impact: ASHPs are the greener option, especially when powered by renewable energy, as they significantly reduce carbon emissions. Boilers, on the other hand, emit more CO₂, particularly those running on fossil fuels.
In short, ASHPs are a more eco-friendly and cost-effective choice in the long run, though they have higher upfront installation costs. Boilers are cheaper to install but will 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. Plus, they work well in colder weather with the right insulation.
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.
Efficiency and Cost: Both options are 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 heating (or cooling in summer).
In short, if you need both heating and hot water, an air-to-water system is your best bet. For straightforward heating or cooling, 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, and where it's placed.
While you may notice it when standing close to the unit, modern ASHPs are designed to be quieter. Many are installed away from bedrooms or living areas to minimise any 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 windows or sensitive areas. Plus, all heat pumps must meet noise regulations, so you won’t have to worry about them being a nuisance in residential areas.
The revolutionary iC Economiser Plus boiler has been described as the combi of the future, featuring industry-leading innovation and an 18-year warranty!
Wall mounted gas condensing boilers (system boiler and combi boiler). The popular solution for medium sized homes with 2-4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
A gas condensing storage combi boiler with integral enamelled loading cylinder or DHW cylinder and a rated heating output 1.9 to 32 kW.
Registered Office Address:
Option Energy Solutions Ltd
9 Penlands Way
Steyning
West Sussex
BN44 3PN
Registered in England
Tel: 01903 814777