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At Vaillant, we offer three different types of heat pumps, air source, ground source and water source heat pumps.
With more of us looking to upgrade from a gas boiler to a more energy efficient heating solution, we’re going to take you through the steps you need to take to buy a heat pump right from the initial enquiry to post-installation.
Before getting in touch with your installer, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your installer has a clear picture of what you require from your heat pump.
Here is a list of things you should check before contacting your installer:
Heat pumps are suitable for a wide range of properties including terrace houses and flats. However, it’s important to consider how much space is needed for them to be installed safely.
The external unit of an air source heat pump is usually 2m x 1m which is similar in size to a moped or two wheelie bins next to each other. For ground source, you will need enough land for a ground array or borehole system. Water source heat pumps need to be near a body of water such as a lake, river, stream, well or borehole.
Read ‘Is my home suitable for a heat pump’ for more factors you need to consider before installation here.
When you first contact your local installer. They will ask you a few questions to help understand what it is your looking for and deciding if a heat pump is the right choice for you.
They will ask you questions about your home, what insulation you have, what type of heat pump are you thinking of installing.
This is also an opportunity to ask them any questions you may have about heat pumps, from how they operate in cold weather to how often they need a service.
After the initial enquiry, your installer will visit your property to assess your house and check your heat pump compatibility. They will carry out a room-by-room inspection by looking at your current radiators, existing central heating system, how much insulation you have (and if any more is required) and the amount of indoor and outdoor space you have.
They will also ask you about the future of your home, such as if you’re planning on having an extension. If you are doing some renovations, it can affect the size of the heat pump that is right for you in the future.
As part of the consultation phase, your installer will also carry out the following:
As part of the consultation phase, your installer will carry out a heat loss calculation. Here, they will assess the heating and hot water requirements of the property to help select the correct size of heat pump to get the most suitable heating system for your home.
The calculation will show how much heat your home requires to help you keep warm in the colder months.
Once the calculation has been done and you are happy with the results, your installer will organise a time to start on installing your heat pump.
You may receive a list of recommendations that need to be made to help get the most out of your heat pump. These can include upgrading your radiators or adding further insulation.
If you’re happy with the recommendations from the heat loss calculation, the next step is to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) government grant if you live in England or Wales. If you are eligible, you could get a grant up to £7,500 off the cost of installing a heat pump.
From the 21st July 2026, if you live in an off-grid property and rely on heating oil or LPG, you could be eligible for the BUS rural uplift. This means you can get up to £9,000 off the cost of installing an air source or ground souce heat pump. Scheme ends 31st March 2027. Find out more here.
Your installer will apply for the voucher on your behalf and the amount will be deducted from your bill.
If you live in Scotland, you can apply for HES funding where you can receive up to £7,500 off heat pump installations or £9,000 if you live in a rural area. Learn more about the scheme here.
As of 29th May 2025, in England, you now no longer require planning permission from your local authority for most* air source heat pump installs.
This allows you to:
If you live within a Conservation Area or World Heritage site, you will need to check with your local authority first*.
For homeowners that live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, planning rules still apply meaning it is important to check with your local authority ahead of installation.
When installing any type of heat pump, your installer will get permission from your local District Network Operator (DNO). This is because the operators need to know if your local network can handle the additional electricity that is required to operate your heat pump.
If you’ve carried out all the above steps, it is now time to install your new heating system.
The installation could take up to a week depending how many installers are involved in the process.
You may be without heating and hot water for a period of time as the installers will have to disconnect your current heating system to fit the heat pump. Therefore, we recommend you have your heat pump installed in the warmer months when you are less likely to rely on your heating system.
Once you’ve had your new heat pump system installed, your installer will show you how to use your new heating system. They will set up your system based on your heating and hot water requirements. It may take a little time to find your ideal room temperature so you may have to adjust your thermostat to suit your comfort.
If you have any questions about your heat pump in the future, such as how often to have it serviced or how to look after the external unit in the winter, your installer will be happy to answer any further queries.
