Types of Heat PumpsHow Do Heat Pumps Work?Key Factors That Impact Heat Pump EfficiencyShould You Consider a Hybrid Heat Pump?Benefits of Heating a Whole House with an Air Source Heat PumpKey Takeaways - Can an Air Source Heat Pump Heat a Whole House?Get an Air Source Heat Pump Quote with Glow GreenFAQs
Types of Heat PumpsHow Do Heat Pumps Work?Key Factors That Impact Heat Pump EfficiencyShould You Consider a Hybrid Heat Pump?Benefits of Heating a Whole House with an Air Source Heat PumpKey Takeaways - Can an Air Source Heat Pump Heat a Whole House?Get an Air Source Heat Pump Quote with Glow GreenFAQs
It’s common for homeowners to worry that a heat pump might not provide the same level of warmth as a gas boiler or other traditional heating systems. This concern is understandable, especially since installing a heat pump is a significant financial commitment.
Luckily, the answer is yes, an air source heat pump can heat an entire house, as long as it’s sized correctly for your home and installed by a professional heat pump installer. Factors like the size of your property, how well it’s insulated and the type of heating system you have indoors all play a big role in making sure every room stays comfortable, even on colder days.
In this article, you’ll learn how air heat pumps work to heat your home, as well as break down the key factors that affect their efficiency. Lastly, we'll guide you on how to choose the right air source heat pump to ensure your home stays comfortable all year round.
Ready to take the next step? Simply fill out the form below to get a free, no-obligation quote for an air source heat pump:
When it comes to heating your home with a heat pump, there are several options, each suited to different property types and needs. Here are the main types of heat pumps you’ll come across:
Air Source Heat Pumps: Air source heat pumps are the most common and versatile type, extracting heat from the outside air and transferring it into your home. There are two main subtypes: air-to-water heat pumps and air-to-air heat pumps. Air-to-water systems collect heat from the air and use it to warm up water, which then circulates through your radiators or underfloor heating, and they can also provide domestic hot water, making them an excellent choice for whole-house heating and hot water needs. In contrast, air-to-air heat pumps blow warm air directly into rooms using fans or ducts, offering quick heating for specific spaces and the added benefit of cooling in summer, but they don’t provide hot water, so you’d need a separate system for that. At Glow Green, we are proud to install the Vaillant aroTHERM Plus - an advanced air-to-water heat pump designed for efficient, sustainable home heating.
Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pumps: These systems draw heat from the ground using pipes buried in your garden. The ground stays at a fairly constant temperature year-round, so these pumps are very efficient, especially in colder climates. They require more outdoor space for installation but can provide both heating and hot water.
Water Source Heat Pumps: If you have access to a pond, lake or river, a water source heat pump could work for you. These systems extract heat from the water and transfer it into your home. Like ground source pumps, they’re very efficient but depend on having a suitable water source nearby.
Hybrid Heat Pumps: Hybrid systems combine a heat pump with another heating source, like a gas or oil boiler. This setup lets you switch between systems for maximum efficiency and comfort, especially during extremely cold weather. It’s a flexible option if you want to keep your existing boiler as a backup.
Understanding the different types of heat pumps can help you decide which option best suits your needs. At Glow Green, we specialise exclusively in air source heat pumps, so this article will focus on that technology.
An air source heat pump works by taking heat from the air outside, even when it’s cold, and using it to warm your home. The system uses a special liquid called refrigerant that absorbs this heat. Then, the heat pump compresses the refrigerant to make the heat even warmer and transfers it into your home through your radiators, underfloor heating or hot water system.
Air source heat pumps are fully capable of replacing traditional boiler systems for heating your home. While heat pumps operate at lower temperatures than gas boilers, they are much more efficient. This means you can enjoy reliable heating with lower energy use and reduced carbon emissions.
If you’d like to learn more about the advantages of air source heat pumps, take a look at our comprehensive guide on the pros and cons of air source heat pumps.
Several factors work together to determine how well a heat pump performs, from the climate you live in to how well your home is insulated. The right equipment, proper installation and regular maintenance all play a role in making sure your heat pump heats your entire home while using energy wisely. Let’s break down the key factors that impact heat pump efficiency:
The efficiency of an air source heat pump depends heavily on the temperature outside your home. When it’s milder outside, the heat pump can extract heat from the air more easily, making it more efficient. As outdoor temperatures drop, especially below freezing, the system has to work harder to pull heat from the air which reduces its efficiency.
Choosing the right size heat pump for your house is crucial. If the unit is too small, it won’t keep your home warm enough and will use more energy as it struggles to meet demand. If it’s too large, it will turn on and off too often, leading to wasted energy and extra wear and tear on the system. Accurate sizing should be based on your home’s heating needs which depend on factors like square footage, insulation and window quality.
Even the best heat pump can’t perform well if it’s not installed properly. Professional installation ensures all components work together efficiently. Also, if your home uses ductwork, it needs to be well-designed and sealed to prevent heat loss and maximise efficiency.
A well-insulated home helps keep the warm air in and the cold air out, reducing the workload on your heat pump. Good insulation in walls, roofs and floors, along with well-sealed windows and doors, means your heat pump doesn’t have to run as often or as hard, boosting overall efficiency.
Modern heat pumps with advanced features are more efficient than older models. These technologies allow the system to adjust its output to match your home’s needs which reduces energy waste and maintains a more consistent temperature.
Keeping your heat pump in good working order is essential for maintaining efficiency. Regularly cleaning filters, checking refrigerant levels and having annual professional servicing will help your system run smoothly and efficiently for years to come.
It’s important to understand that an air source heat pump may not be able to effectively heat your entire home if it hasn’t been sized correctly or doesn't meet any of the above criteria. In these situations, you might want to consider a hybrid heating system, which combines an air source heat pump with a traditional boiler.
With a hybrid system, the heat pump handles most of your heating when the weather is mild and energy-efficient, while the boiler kicks in to provide extra warmth during colder periods or when demand is high. This approach gives you the best of both worlds where you benefit from lower running costs and reduced carbon emissions when the heat pump is running, but you also have the reassurance that your home will stay warm even in the coldest weather.
Hybrid systems are especially useful if your home is larger, not very well insulated or if you want to avoid major changes to your existing heating setup, as they can often work with your current radiators and pipework. However, keep in mind that hybrid systems can be more expensive to install and maintain than a single heating system, and they still rely on fossil fuels for part of the year.
It’s also worth noting that choosing a hybrid heating system could affect your eligibility for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, so be sure to check the requirements carefully if you’re hoping to take advantage of this incentive.
You’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of advantages to heating a whole house with an air source heat pump. From saving money to reducing your carbon footprint, here are some of the key benefits you can expect when you make the switch:
You can save money on your heating costs because air source heat pumps are three times more energy efficient than traditional gas boilers. If you use smart electricity tariffs, you could potentially save even more by running your system when rates are cheaper.
Switching to an air source heat pump can cut your home’s carbon emissions which helps you do your part for the environment and makes your home more sustainable.
By running entirely on electricity, air source heat pumps remove the need for any imported gas in your home, giving you more control over your energy use and supporting UK energy security.
Heat pumps typically last longer and require minimal maintenance when compared to gas boilers.
As the UK electricity grid continues to decarbonise, your heat pump will become even greener over time, making it a future-proof investment for your home.
You may be eligible for a government heat pump grant, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which can help with the upfront costs of installing an air source heat pump.
An air source heat pump can certainly provide whole-home heating, but its effectiveness depends on a few important factors. To get the best results, your home should be well insulated and the heat pump must be matched to your property’s specific size and heating requirements.
If the system is too small or your insulation isn’t up to scratch, you might not achieve the comfort or efficiency you’re hoping for. Also, your radiators or underfloor heating need to be compatible with the lower temperatures produced by a heat pump, so they can deliver consistent warmth to every room.
Ultimately, at Glow Green, our heat pump experts take the time to understand your needs and will recommend the ideal system for your home, so you can feel confident you’re getting the best performance and value from your new heat pump.
Get a free, no-obligation quote for an air source heat pump from Glow Green and have all your home heating questions answered by our experts.
With our recognition as The Independent’s best solar panel installer in 2025, you can trust that we bring the same level of expertise and commitment to every heat pump installation. Why not choose Glow Green and experience it for yourself?
Here’s how our process works:
1. Complete a Simple Form:Just fill out our quick online eligibility form with some basic information about your home and needs.
2. We Design Your System:If you’re happy with our quote, one of our experienced heat pump engineers will design a system tailored specifically for your property.
3. Installed by an Expert:We’ll arrange for one of our local heat pump engineers to carry out the installation at a time that suits you best.
Yes, an air source heat pump can heat an entire house, but its effectiveness depends on factors such as proper sizing, good insulation and a compatible indoor heating system.
A professional installer, such as Glow Green, will assess your home’s insulation, heating needs and current system to determine suitability. Well-insulated homes are generally better suited for heat pumps.
Yes, a hybrid system combines a heat pump with a traditional boiler, providing flexibility and backup heating for colder periods or homes with higher heat demand. Though, if you wanting to take advantage of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, there are limitations to be aware of. The scheme only supports standalone heat pump installations that fully replace existing fossil fuel heating systems, not those that are paired with a boiler.
There are government grants and schemes available in many regions to help with the cost of installing an air source heat pump, though eligibility criteria apply.
Modern air source heat pumps are designed to be quiet with noise levels similar to a fridge or freezer.
