Is my Property in the UK Suitable for a Heat Pump?

Written-by

Janet Richardson

Reviewed-by

Richard Burdett-Gardiner

Updated on

Sep 05, 2024

Is my Property in the UK Suitable for a Heat Pump?

Many factors must be considered before choosing to install a heat pump system in your home or business.

One important aspect to look at is your property’s specifications. In the case of a ground source heat pump, you will need a considerable amount of land or access for plant to dig a bore hole. For horizontal coil systems, usually around twice the surface area of the dwelling which you do not mind digging up to lay the ground loop system containing the thermal transfer fluid. If you do not have the required space or if you do not want to dig up your garden, it may be best to consider an air-source heat pump system, which is much more compact (and affordable) and more suited to urban areas.

Though air-source heat pumps don’t require as much space as ground-source heat pumps they still need a big enough space outside your property, usually at the side or back, to allow adequate air circulation around the heat pump unit. They should also be located where noise from the unit won’t be a disturbance. Although modern air source heat pumps are much quieter than their predecessors, they still emit a notable hum. 

We often get asked the question 'Do heat pumps work in poorly insulated properties?'

Your property’s level of insulation will impact heavily upon the cost and energy efficiency offered by air and ground source heat pumps. Although insulation is also needed for traditional boilers, you’re more likely to feel the effects of inadequate insulation with heat pumps as they are designed to produce an abient heat on an ongoing basis, rather the blast of heat from a traditional combustion boiler. Heat pumps channel heat slowly over longer periods of time, effectively heating the property through. 

If your home is properly insulated, it will be able to retain heat and you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of an air source heat pump but there are some caveats we will address in this article. Without adequate insulation, however, you could find yourself switching up the thermostat more often, which will increase your bills.

There are high temperature heat pump options which are capable of reaching comparable temperatures as combustion boilers (see more here) but in this article we will focus on traditional heat pump systems.

Here are some ways you can assess and improve your home's insulation:

• Wall Insulation: Make sure your walls are adequately insulated. For homes with cavity walls, cavity wall insulation can be installed. Solid wall homes might need external or internal insulation.
• Loft Insulation: Loft insulation is especially important as a significant amount of heat can escape through the roof. Ensure your loft is insulated to the recommended 270mm of thickness.
• Floor Insulation: Insulating floors, particularly in older homes with suspended wooden floors, can prevent heat loss.
• Windows and Doors: Double or triple glazing and draught-proofing around windows and doors can significantly reduce heat loss.

Is it Worth Installing a Heat Pump for my UK Property?

Though heat pumps are usually very efficient, local climate can affect their performance. In the UK, air-source heat pumps are specifically designed to work efficiently even in colder temperatures (down to -15°C or even -25°C). However, extremely low temperatures might reduce their efficiency and a backup heating source could be required during the very coldest months. 

If you are considering installing a ground source heat pump, the type of soil and geology of your property play an important role. Wet and clay soils are the best as they have high thermal conductivity which means they can transfer heat more efficiently. A ground survey should be conducted to establish the suitability and efficiency of a ground source system for your home.

Your current heating and hot water source also affects the financial rewards of renewable heat systems. For example, if you are replacing an electric, liquid gas (LPG), oil, or solid fuel system with a heat pump, the financial benefits are likely to be reasonably high. New build and newly renovated properties, which are insulated to high energy efficiency standards, are ideal for the installation of heat pumps.

If you are considering replacing a gas boiler (not LPG or oil boilers), heat pumps may work out to be slightly more expensive to run unless particular attention is paid to ensuring maximum efficiency of the heat pump by combining the system with underfloor heating and/or large specially designed or oversized radiators. This is because heat pumps work at a lower temperature than a combustion boiler, they generally perform better with underfloor heating and/or oversized radiators which provide a larger surface area to distribute the heat efficiently throughout the building. However as far as running costs are concerned, if gas prices continue to go up, as expected, heat pumps will become the cheapest as well as the lowest carbon form of heating available.

The initial cost of installing heat pumps may be prohibitive for some as they tend to be more expensive than traditional heating systems. However, they offer long-term savings due to their efficiency. The UK government is also offering attractive incentives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) which can help offset some of these costs. The BUS is very accessible and can provide £7,500 towards the upfront costs. Air source heat pump installations typically cost between £8,000 and £14,000 for a three or four bedroom house in the UK, and ground source heat pumps cost between £18,000 and £35,000. 

When compared to traditional boilers heat pumps require less maintenance. Regular checks and servicing will ensure optimal performance and longevity. The expected lifespan of a heat pump is around 20-25 years, compared to 10-15 years for a conventional boiler.

Many more people today want to live a more sustainable lifestyle and reduce their carbon footprint. Heat pumps can help you do this as they have significantly less of an impact on the environment compared to fossil fuel-based heating systems. They can reduce your home’s carbon footprint, especially if paired with renewable electricity sources. If you switch to a heat pump you are contributing to the UK's target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Property Value Impact Associated with Installing a Ground Source or Air Source Heat Pump

Will a heat pump increase my property value?

Although there is currently little definitive evidence to suggest that heat pumps will affect the value of your property either by increasing or decreasing it, there has been some research conducted in recent years that shows installing an air source heat pump in your property could improve the value of your home by as much as 3%.

Research carried out and presented in the 2022 ‘Better Homes, Cooler Planet’ report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF-UK) and Scottish Power indicated that a heat pump could add between 1.7 and 3.0% to the value of your home. Research conducted by the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has also shown that properties with energy-efficient features tend to have higher selling prices than less efficient counterparts.

The low aesthetic impact and financial benefits of heat pump installations mean that their presence is likely to increase property value. Most people can appreciate the cost savings of a high-efficiency heating system and will certainly take into consideration things like heating systems when looking to buy a property.

The top reasons why a heat pump could add value to your property are the following:

• Improve Energy Performance Certificate rating 
• Improve energy efficiency saving you money
• Some heat pumps offer cooling and air conditioning features which could add up to 2.5% to the value of your property. 
• Futureproof your home against heating regulations being put in place to help the UK reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 

So, installing a heat pump may not only reduce your energy bills and environmental impact but also increase the value of your property. 

There are many different kinds of heating systems used in homes. You’ll find that the systems are classified in a few different ways. The first way is by the type of fuel they use, and the second way defines how they distribute heat throughout the home. These fuel sources include oil, natural gas, electricity, and even the sun. The heat generated by these fuel sources can be distributed by air, electric wiring, radiation, or water.

The value put on the heat pump system by the estate agent or by the future buyer will most likely be down to personal preference and a few other factors such as the temperature at the time of the sale and recent seasonal variations. If there has been a very cold winter, people are more likely to put a high value on a pre-installed heating system that is cost-effective and adequately heats the property.

If two identical homes were side by side a buyer would most likely go for the home with the heat pump system, but how much extra would they be willing to pay to cover your costs which will usually be more than £5000 that the heat pump system set you back in the first place? Well, it’s impossible to say at this time. A new roof for example doesn’t add much to your property but an old or damaged roof will certainly detract from the value of a property. So perhaps a new heat pump system might not add much value, but an old inadequate gas boiler system may detract from a property’s value. Make sure your estate agent knows the value of the heat pump system and sells it to the prospective viewer in the best way possible.

A real estate appraiser will most likely see your heat pump system as a contributory factor and add a small amount of value to the asking price but generally, they will see it as part of the whole and describe it as an additional appeal.

Integrating a Heat Pump with Existing Heating Systems

It is most common to completely replace existing heat sources with heat pumps. Nevertheless, depending on the system and property specifications, air and ground source heat pumps can be integrated with existing heating systems. The heat generated by your heat pump system can, for example, be used to supplement your boiler.

While heat pumps can be easily connected to existing radiators, this is not the most effective way of using the heat generated, for they require a high level of heat. Traditional radiators designed for high-temperature systems may need to be replaced or modified to allow for the low-temperature of a heat pump. Ideally, you should increase the size of the radiators in each room to reach maximum performance.

If you are currently using radiators to heat your home, the best way of optimising system efficiency is to either install underfloor or warm air heating, since these require a lower level of heat over a longer time.

Heat pumps work most efficiently with larger surface area radiators or UFH systems, which can distribute water effectively at low temperatures. Underfloor heating may not be suitable for some properties, however: some older buildings in particular are likely to be too energy inefficient. 
Adjusting the size of your radiators and/or installing underfloor heating ensures that your heat pump system operates within its optimal efficiency range to provide you with a warm home. 

Legislation and Planning Permission Associated with Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps

Air Source heat pump planning considerations

In England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland air source heat pump systems will be considered permitted development provided they meet the following criteria:

If your home is a listed building or scheduled monument, you’ll have to receive listed building consent before the installation goes ahead. If your property is situated within a conservation area or World Heritage Site, you’ll have to enquire with your local planning authority to check whether air source heat pumps are considered permitted developments. 

• Your air source heat pump can only be used for space heating and hot water.
• Only the first air source heat pump falls under permitted development rights. Adding a second would require planning permission. 
• An air source heat pump is a permitted development only on the condition that there isn’t a wind turbine on your property. If there is, you’ll need to apply for planning permission. 
• The air source heat pump must be removed when it’s no longer in use. 
• The installation must comply with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards (MCS 020). 
• The heat pump must be located in a way that minimises its effect on the appearance of the building and the amenity of the area. This may involve placing the external unit at the back of the house, out of view from the road, or if you’re fixing it to a wall, it must be below the first storey. In Scotland, the unit definitely should not be seen from the public highway.
• The air source heat pump must be installed on flat surfaces. You may be permitted to site the external unit on a flat roof providing it’s at least 1 metre from the roof’s edge, but you should check with your local planning office to be on the safe side (England, Scotland, and Wales only). The air source heat pump cannot be placed on a pitched roof.
• The size of the external compressor (the outdoor unit and housing) in England shouldn’t be larger than 0.6m3. In Wales, the compressor unit and housing shouldn’t exceed 1m3. In Scotland, it can’t be taller than 3 metres and in Northern Ireland, the external unit must be no taller than 2 metres. 
• In England and Scotland, the air source heat pump must be at least one metre from the property’s boundary and the nearest house.  In Wales, it must be more than 3 metres, and in Northern Ireland, the external unit must be more than 30 metres away from the nearest house (other than your own). 
• The external unit can’t protrude more than 1 metre from the outer wall, roof, or chimney of the dwelling. 

Ground Source Heat Pump planning considerations

Due to their limited aesthetic impact, ground source heat pumps are in most cases considered to be ‘permitted development’ by local authorities, which means that planning permission will not be necessary. It is, however, always a good idea to check with your local authority before installing any renewable energy technology.

Special permissions may be needed in Wales and Northern Ireland and requirements may vary in England and Scotland based on location and property size. You shouldn't have to apply for planning permission for a ground-source heat pump system provided the following criteria are followed: 

• The total area of excavation must not exceed 0.5 hectares
• The development must not result in the presence within the curtilage of more than one ground source heat pump. Planning permission will be required for multiple installations
• Heat pumps must be removed as soon as is reasonably practicable when they are no longer needed. The land must be restored to the condition it was in before the heat pump was installed or to such condition as may have been agreed in writing between the local planning authority and developer. 
• Environmental planning requirements depend on the type of heat pump specified. Geological checks are required for ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs) to determine the thermal and conductivity properties of the bedrock for vertical loops and superficial deposits for horizontal loops. 
• Planning permission must be sought for listed buildings and properties in a conservation area. Local installers will be able to provide advice on area-specific regulations. 
• The installation must comply with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards if you are going to take advantage of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. It’s important to choose an installer who is accredited and part of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). You can search our installer database for a list of accredited installers close to your postcode here.

In England and Wales, you can find out more information on the Government’s Planning Portal website: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/greenerhomes/generation/heatpumps
The Scottish Government’s permitted development information can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/householder-permitted-development-rights-guidance-updated-2021/pages/6/