Air source heat pumps
Heat pumps — engineered properly, with up to £9,000 BUS grant handled
MCS certified, Heat Geek-trained air source heat pump installation across the North East. Full room-by-room heat loss survey, designed flow temperatures, rigorous commissioning — and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (£7,500 on gas-grid swaps, rising to £9,000 from summer 2026 for households currently on oil or LPG) deducted from your quote.
Why design matters more than the badge
Most heat pump complaints we hear from prospective customers — cold homes in winter, high running costs, noisy outdoor units — trace back to the same root cause. The installer treated the heat pump as a like-for-like boiler swap, picked a unit by kW rating off a chart, and didn't recalculate the heat loss, emitter sizing or controls strategy for the actual property.
Every AMP installation starts with a room-by-room heat loss calculation. We then design the system around the property — flow temperature target, emitter sizing, hydraulic separation, weather compensation, domestic hot water priority — before specifying the unit. That's the Heat Geek methodology, and it's the difference between a heat pump that delivers its rated COP and one that quietly disappoints.
- MCS certified installation
- Heat Geek-trained design and commissioning
- BUS grant £7,500 application handled
- Full room-by-room heat loss survey
- 7-year warranty
Up to £9,000
BUS grant (£7,500 gas / £9,000 oil-LPG)
COP 3-4
Typical real-world efficiency
7 yrs
Manufacturer warranty
1-3 days
Typical install duration
Heat pump cost
How much does a heat pump cost in 2026?
A typical air source heat pump installation in the UK costs between £10,000 and £17,000 before grants. After the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (which we apply for and deduct from your quote), most homeowners pay between £2,500 and £9,500 net for a complete install — heat pump, cylinder, controls, pipework and any necessary emitter upgrades.
If you currently heat with oil or LPG, the BUS grant rises to £9,000 from summer 2026 — a £1,500 uplift over the standard grant, reflecting the steeper price volatility and carbon impact of liquid fossil fuels. This particularly benefits rural Northumberland and County Durham households on off-gas-grid properties. We'll confirm your grant band as part of the free survey.
| Property type | Typical system size | Before grant | After £7,500 (gas) | After £9,000 (oil/LPG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-bed semi or terrace | 5-7kW heat pump | £10,000–£12,500 | £2,500–£5,000 | £1,000–£3,500 |
| 3-bed semi or detached | 8-10kW heat pump | £11,500–£14,000 | £4,000–£6,500 | £2,500–£5,000 |
| 4-bed detached | 10-14kW heat pump | £13,000–£17,000 | £5,500–£9,500 | £4,000–£8,000 |
| Large detached / off-gas rural | 14-20kW + buffer tank | £15,500–£22,000 | £8,000–£14,500 | £6,500–£13,000 |
Ranges assume a property already on the gas grid with reasonable insulation (EPC C or D). The £9,000 enhanced BUS grant applies from summer 2026 to households currently heated by oil or LPG — particularly relevant for rural Northumberland and County Durham properties. Off-gas-grid properties, larger detached homes, or significant emitter upgrade requirements may push costs higher and are quoted in advance. Listed buildings or properties needing extensive radiator changes are quoted bespoke.
What drives the price up or down
- Heat loss of the property. A draughty four-bed detached needs a 12-14kW unit; a well-insulated 3-bed semi might only need 6-8kW. A 10% reduction in heat loss can move you down a unit size and save ~£800-1,500 on capital cost.
- Emitter upgrades. Low flow-temperature operation needs adequately-sized radiators. Most homes need 1-3 radiator changes; some need a full rad swap; underfloor heating downstairs is the gold standard. Each radiator change adds £250-450.
- Cylinder size and location. Most installs need a 180-250L unvented cylinder. If you have a working unvented cylinder it can sometimes be retained; if you have a vented system it will need replacing.
- Outdoor unit siting. Standard ground-mounted base or wall-bracket adds nothing. Roof-mounted or screened plant-room installs add £400-900 in brackets and acoustic treatment.
- Brand choice. Mitsubishi Ecodan, Vaillant aroTHERM and Daikin Altherma are all premium-tier and price similarly. Some brands run 5-10% cheaper but with shorter warranties or weaker UK service networks.
Up to £9,000 BUS grant
Boiler Upgrade Scheme — £7,500 standard, £9,000 if you're on oil or LPG
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a UK government grant administered by Ofgem. It provides £7,500 towards an air or ground source heat pump installation in England and Wales. From summer 2026 the grant rises to £9,000 for households currently heated by oil or LPG — recognising the larger carbon and bill savings these households unlock. It is not a cashback paid to the homeowner — it is paid to the installer, who must deduct it directly from your quote. We do all the paperwork; you never speak to Ofgem.
Standard grant
£7,500
For homes currently heated by mains gas, coal, or direct electric resistance. Most NE households fall in this band.
Enhanced grant (summer 2026)
£9,000
For homes currently heated by oil, LPG, or off-grid liquid fossil fuel. Common in rural Northumberland and County Durham villages.
Eligibility (all bands)
- • Property in England or Wales (Scotland has its own scheme)
- • Valid EPC with no outstanding insulation recommendations (or exemption)
- • Currently heated by fossil fuel: gas, oil, LPG, coal or electric resistance
- • Heat pump must replace the existing system fully (no parallel hybrid)
- • MCS-certified installer (which we are)
Not eligible
- • New-build properties (different scheme applies)
- • Social housing with grant funding already in place
- • Off-grid properties already running biomass eligible for RHI legacy
- • Properties without a valid EPC
The process, step by step
- 1. Free survey + heat loss calculation. Our engineer assesses the property and produces a designed system.
- 2. Fixed-price quote with BUS grant deducted. The figure you see is the net cost after grant.
- 3. We submit the BUS application to Ofgem. They issue a voucher (typically within 2-4 weeks).
- 4. Install scheduled. Typically 4-10 weeks from accepted quote, depending on backlog.
- 5. Install completed, MCS certified. We issue all paperwork and Building Control notification.
- 6. Final paperwork to Ofgem. They release the grant payment to us within 30 days.
- 7. Your invoice nets off the grant (£7,500 or £9,000). You only ever paid the net figure.
BUS is currently funded through to early 2028 with the standard grant at £7,500 and the enhanced £9,000 oil/LPG band introduced from summer 2026. Government policy on heat pump support has been broadly stable over the last 18 months, but the scheme is not legally permanent — applying sooner rather than later removes timing risk.
2025 rule update — MCS 020 noise compliance
From 29 May 2025, all air source heat pump installations in England must comply with the updated MCS 020 noise calculation for permitted development. This sets a 42 dB(A) limit measured 1m from neighbouring habitable windows — and adjusted for siting, building materials and screening. Most professionally designed installs sit well within this; the rule mainly affects poorly sited units close to terraced or semi-detached boundaries. Our heat-loss survey includes an MCS 020 noise assessment before quoting, so you know if planning permission is required (rare) before committing.
Heat pump packages
Heat pump bundles — grant deducted
Pre-configured air source heat pump installs by property size. Prices shown are NET after the BUS grant (£7,500 standard or £9,000 if currently on oil/LPG). Includes full Heat Geek-trained design, MCS certification, 7-year manufacturer warranty.
Starter ASHP
5–7 kW unit
2-bed semi or terrace
Fully installed · 0% VAT applied
- Vaillant aroTHERM or Mitsubishi Ecodan
- 180–210L cylinder
- Heat-loss survey + MCS 020 check
- Smart controls (Tado / Vaillant cloud)
- BUS grant handled (£7,500 or £9,000)
Mid ASHP
8–10 kW unit
3-bed semi or detached
Fully installed · 0% VAT applied
- Vaillant aroTHERM plus (low flow temp)
- 210–250L cylinder
- Heat Geek-trained design
- Buffer tank if required
- Emitter upgrades included as designed
Premium ASHP
10–14 kW unit
4-bed or off-gas-grid rural
Fully installed · 0% VAT applied
- High-output Daikin Altherma 3 R
- 250–300L cylinder + buffer
- Volumiser + weather compensation
- Hybrid option (with existing oil/gas)
- Suitable for listed/stone build
Prices indicative — final quote subject to free roof / site survey. North East installs only. 0% VAT applies to all residential energy-saving materials in the UK until 31 March 2027.
Heat pump payback calculator
Heat pump cost after the BUS grant
A heat pump replaces your boiler — running cost depends heavily on what you currently heat with. Oil/LPG households save the most.
Estimated for your inputs
Your illustrative payback
Installation cost
£—
After 0% VAT
Estimated annual saving
£—
based on current tariffs
Payback
—
simple payback period
Results recalculate as you adjust inputs. Indicative ranges only — not a quote.
Running costs
What a heat pump actually costs to run
A well-designed heat pump delivers a seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of 3.0 to 4.0 in UK conditions — three to four units of heat per unit of electricity consumed. At April 2026 energy prices, that puts running costs in the same ballpark as a modern gas combi boiler for a gas-heated property, and **roughly half** of what an oil-heated property pays.
| Current heating | Annual cost (typical 3-bed) | Heat pump cost | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mains gas combi | £1,400–£1,700 | £1,300–£1,650 | £50–£150 |
| Oil boiler | £2,400–£3,200 | £1,300–£1,650 | £1,000–£1,500 |
| LPG boiler | £2,800–£3,600 | £1,300–£1,650 | £1,200–£2,000 |
| Electric storage heaters | £2,000–£2,800 | £1,300–£1,650 | £500–£1,200 |
| Solid fuel | £1,800–£2,800 | £1,300–£1,650 | £300–£1,200 |
Figures assume 12,000 kWh annual heat demand at 2026 retail energy prices, SCOP 3.5 for the heat pump, and standard duty rates for each fuel. Heat pump running cost drops 25-35% further when paired with solar PV. Savings vary by property; we model your specific case as part of the survey.
Payback for the net (post-grant) install cost ranges from instant on oil/LPG replacements (running cost savings outpace finance costs) to 12-15 years on a gas-grid swap-only basis. Most customers don't focus on payback alone — the combination of fixed-price quote, £7,500 grant, lower carbon emissions and price-volatility hedging (electricity is more price-stable than oil or LPG over a multi-year window) is what drives the decision.
Brands we install
Mitsubishi, Vaillant, Daikin — and why we chose them
We install three premium brands as standard. All three have strong UK service networks, proven SCOP ratings in real-world UK installs, and warranties of 5-7 years. The right one for your home depends on space, control preferences and existing emitter compatibility — we'll recommend during the survey.
Mitsubishi Ecodan
5-14kW · MELCloud controls
Industry standard, well-understood by every UK heat pump engineer. Strong cold-weather performance, mature MELCloud monitoring app, dependable. Our go-to recommendation for most installs.
Most installed
Vaillant aroTHERM Plus
5-12kW · R290 refrigerant
Higher flow temperatures available (up to 75°C), useful for older properties with smaller radiators. R290 refrigerant has near-zero global warming potential. Quietest outdoor units in the class.
Daikin Altherma 3
4-16kW · Madoka controls
Integrated cylinder option (Daikin Altherma H Hybrid) saves space in tight plant rooms. Excellent monitoring through Onecta app. Strong choice where outdoor unit siting is constrained.
Works best together
What pairs best with a heat pump
A heat pump is electricity-hungry — typically 3,000-5,000 kWh per year on a typical 3-bed semi. Pairing the heat pump with solar plus battery turns a chunk of that demand into self-generated free electricity, slashing running costs and dramatically shortening combined payback.
Solar panels
Generate your own electricity to run the heat pump. A 6kW solar array typically covers 30-40% of annual heat pump demand in the North East, dropping running cost by an equivalent share.
See solar panels →Home battery storage
Shifts heat pump electricity demand to cheap overnight tariff windows (e.g. Octopus Go at 8.5p/kWh). Combined with solar, can deliver effectively net-zero running cost from spring to autumn.
See home battery storage →Boiler vs heat pump comparison
Detailed comparison of net cost, running cost, payback period and suitability for different homes. Useful if you're still weighing the two options.
See boiler vs heat pump comparison →Our accreditations
Accredited, certified, and backed by independent standards
MCS Certified
NAPM47760
Heat pumps & solar
NICEIC Approved
D124458
Electrical contractor
Gas Safe Register
947841
Gas appliances
Heat Geek Trained
Heat pump design specialists
TrustMark
Government endorsed
Quality scheme
SafeContractor
Approved
H&S accredited
ISO 9001
2015
Quality management
ISO 14001
2015
Environmental management
ISO 45001
2018
OH&S management
PAS 2030
:2019
Retrofit standard
NAPIT
Member
Electrical inspection
F-Gas Certified
Air conditioning refrigerant
MCS Certified
NAPM47760
Heat pumps & solar
NICEIC Approved
D124458
Electrical contractor
Gas Safe Register
947841
Gas appliances
Heat Geek Trained
Heat pump design specialists
TrustMark
Government endorsed
Quality scheme
SafeContractor
Approved
H&S accredited
ISO 9001
2015
Quality management
ISO 14001
2015
Environmental management
ISO 45001
2018
OH&S management
PAS 2030
:2019
Retrofit standard
NAPIT
Member
Electrical inspection
F-Gas Certified
Air conditioning refrigerant
Every accreditation listed is independently verified. We carry the registration numbers — ask for any on request.
Service coverage
Heat pump installation across the North East
Town-specific heat pump pricing, BUS grant context, off-gas-grid considerations and Heat Geek-trained design. 18 of our service towns linked below.
North East UK coverage
Approximate positions
Most-installed-in towns
Where we work the most
All 18 towns covered
Click any townOutside these 18?
We still might be able to help.
Get in touch — we sometimes take on projects beyond our regular coverage area when there's a good fit.
Ask about your areaHeat pump FAQs
What is Heat Geek training and why does it matter?
What is the BUS grant for heat pumps?
Will a heat pump work with my existing radiators?
Are heat pumps only for very well insulated homes?
Will a heat pump still keep me warm in winter?
Get a free heat pump quote
Free room-by-room heat loss survey, fixed-price written quote, £7,500 BUS grant deducted, Heat Geek-trained installation.