Air Source Heat Pump UK — Low Carbon Heating With the £7,500 Government Grant
Upgrade to an energy-efficient air source heat pump and reduce your heating bills with a low-carbon solution. Based in Manchester and serving customers across the UK, Compliant Retrofits helps homeowners access the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant — with installation delivered through MCS-certified installation partners and expert support from assessment to completion.
Why Install an Air Source Heat Pump in Your UK Home?
An air source heat pump (ASHP) extracts heat from the outside air to warm your home and hot water. It is a low-carbon alternative to gas boilers — and eligible properties can receive a £7,500 government grant towards installation.
Lower Heating Bills
Heat pumps are typically 300–400% efficient — for every unit of electricity, they produce 3–4 units of heat (a gas boiler is 85–92% efficient). Typical running costs: around £700–£900/year for a heat pump vs £800–£1,000/year for a gas boiler on a standard tariff — or around £500–£700/year on an off-peak tariff, depending on your property and usage.
£7,500 Government Grant
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 towards installation costs for eligible homes in England and Wales — and from 21 July 2026, off-gas properties (oil or LPG) qualify for £9,000. The grant is deducted from your quote — you don’t claim it back.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Heat pumps produce zero direct emissions, and with renewable electricity they are nearly carbon neutral — they can reduce your home’s heating carbon footprint by around 50–70% compared to a gas boiler, depending on your tariff and usage.
No Fuel Deliveries
No oil tanks, no gas pipes, no LPG cylinders — just electricity. No need to monitor fuel levels or arrange deliveries.
Cooling Option (Reversible Models)
Some heat pumps can reverse cycle to provide cooling in summer — replacing separate air conditioning.
How Does an Air Source Heat Pump Work?
An ASHP absorbs renewable heat energy from the outside air — even in temperatures as low as -15°C — then compresses it to a much higher temperature, providing efficient heating for your home and hot water.
Absorb
A fan draws outside air over refrigerant fluid inside the outdoor unit. The refrigerant evaporates at low temperature, absorbing heat from the air.
Compress
The refrigerant gas is compressed by the heat pump’s compressor — compression raises the temperature significantly (to 50–70°C).
Transfer
The hot refrigerant passes through a plate heat exchanger, transferring heat to your central heating water — radiators or underfloor heating.
Release
The refrigerant expands, cooling back to liquid, and the cycle repeats — the cold liquid ready to absorb more heat from the outside air.
Is Your UK Home Suitable for a Heat Pump?
Most homes and many commercial properties across the UK can benefit from an air source heat pump, particularly those with good insulation and sufficient outdoor space. We assess your property’s insulation, heating system and energy requirements to recommend the most efficient, cost-effective solution.
Good Insulation Is Essential
Heat pumps work best with good insulation and larger radiators or underfloor heating — they produce lower water temperatures (40–55°C) than boilers (60–75°C). Homes with poor insulation will have higher running costs.
Suitable for Most Homes
Modern heat pumps work effectively in well-insulated homes. Older homes may need insulation upgrades first (loft, cavity wall, solid wall) — we can help with ECO4 funding, which runs until 31 December 2026.
Space Requirements
Outside unit: roughly 800×800×800mm minimum, with airflow clearance (300–500mm sides, 1,000mm above). Inside: a hot water cylinder if not already present — typically 500–800mm wide, 1,200–1,800mm tall.
How Is a Heat Pump Installed in UK Homes?
Free Consultation and Survey
- We assess your property’s insulation, heating system and suitability for a heat pump
- EPC checked for insulation recommendations
Design
- System designed from a full heat-loss calculation — heat pump sizing (typically 5–12kW for a Manchester home), radiator or underfloor heating requirements, hot water cylinder sizing
Installation (MCS-Certified Partner)
- Outdoor unit installed on a concrete base or wall brackets; hot water cylinder and buffer tank installed if required
- Refrigerant pipes and electrical connections run; radiators modified where larger ones are needed
- System filled, flushed and pressure tested
- All installation work is carried out by our MCS-certified installation partners — a requirement of the BUS grant
Commissioning and Grant
- The system is commissioned and controls set
- Your MCS-certified installer registers the BUS voucher with Ofgem — we coordinate the process and manage the paperwork with you, and the grant is deducted from your quote
How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost After the BUS Grant?
Cost depends on property size, system capacity, insulation level and whether the home is connected to mains gas. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides a £7,500 grant for eligible properties — and from 21 July 2026, £9,000 for off-gas homes.
| Property type | System size | Indicative cost before grant | BUS grant | Your cost after grant | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (mains gas) | 5kW system | £7,000–£9,000 | £7,500 | From £0–£1,500 | 1–2 bed flats & small terraces |
| Standard (mains gas) | 8kW system | £8,000–£11,000 | £7,500 | £500–£3,500 | Typical 3-bed Manchester homes |
| Standard (mains gas) | 12kW system | £10,000–£13,000 | £7,500 | £2,500–£5,500 | Large 4+ bed detached homes |
| Off-gas (oil/LPG) | 8kW system | £8,000–£11,000 | £9,000 (from 21 Jul 2026) | From £0–£2,000 | Oil/LPG 3-bed semis |
| Off-gas (oil/LPG) | 12kW system | £10,000–£13,000 | £9,000 (from 21 Jul 2026) | £1,000–£4,000 | Large off-grid properties |
Why Choose Compliant Retrofits for Heat Pump Installation?
We provide complete air source heat pump solutions designed to maximise efficiency, reduce heating bills and ensure full compliance with UK government grant schemes — built around performance, reliability and long-term energy savings.
MCS-Certified Installation Partners
Every heat pump is installed by MCS-certified installation partners — mandatory for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and your assurance that the system meets the standards the grant requires. We design and coordinate the whole project around that certified installation.
BUS Grant Specialists
We manage the Boiler Upgrade Scheme journey with you — eligibility checks, application support and documentation — with the voucher registered by your MCS-certified installer. You don’t wrestle with paperwork.
Whole-System Approach
Integrated heating solutions that combine insulation upgrades and heat pump installation — maximising efficiency, reducing heat loss and improving overall system performance.
Clear, Transparent Pricing
Fully upfront pricing with no hidden costs — a clear, tailored quotation based on your property size, heat demand and system requirements.
Free Consultation & Grant Check
A no-obligation assessment to evaluate your property, confirm BUS grant eligibility and recommend the most efficient heat pump system for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to replace my radiators for a heat pump?
Heat pumps work best with larger radiators (or underfloor heating). Your existing radiators may be suitable if they are already large (e.g. Type 22 rather than Type 11) — we assess and advise during the site survey.
Will a heat pump work in winter in Manchester?
Yes — modern heat pumps operate effectively down to -15°C, and Manchester’s winter temperatures rarely drop below -5°C for extended periods.
How long does a heat pump last?
Typically 15–20 years with proper maintenance — boilers typically last 10–15 years. Heat pumps have fewer moving parts and are generally more reliable.
Can I get a grant for a heat pump in Manchester?
You may qualify — the Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 (and £9,000 for off-gas properties from 21 July 2026) for eligible homes in England and Wales, with no income limit. The grant must be claimed through an MCS-certified installer — which is how our installation partners deliver every BUS-funded system. Contact us for a free eligibility check.
Ready to Install a Heat Pump in Your UK Home?
Book your free consultation today — we will check your eligibility for the £7,500 BUS grant. Or simply contact us to discuss your heat pump requirements.