Do You Need New Radiators for Air Source Heat Pumps?Advantages of Upgrading Radiators for Heat PumpsCan Radiator Upgrades Save You Money?What Radiators Work Best with Air Source Heat Pumps?How Much Will New Radiators Cost?Which Radiators Should You Avoid with Heat Pumps?How to Tell What Type of Radiators You HaveCan Underfloor Heating Replace the Need for New Radiators?Key TakeawaysNew Radiators & Air Source Heat Pumps FAQs
Do You Need New Radiators for Air Source Heat Pumps?Advantages of Upgrading Radiators for Heat PumpsCan Radiator Upgrades Save You Money?What Radiators Work Best with Air Source Heat Pumps?How Much Will New Radiators Cost?Which Radiators Should You Avoid with Heat Pumps?How to Tell What Type of Radiators You HaveCan Underfloor Heating Replace the Need for New Radiators?Key TakeawaysNew Radiators & Air Source Heat Pumps FAQs
One of the first questions our heat pump specialists receive when customers are thinking about installing an air source heat pump is whether they’ll need to replace their existing radiators. In many cases, you will need larger radiators to get the best performance from a heat pump, as these systems operate at lower temperatures than traditional gas boilers.
However, whether or not you actually need new or bigger radiators depends on several factors, such as the size and insulation of your rooms, the type and age of your current radiators and how much heat your home loses.
In this article, you’ll discover the key factors that determine whether you’ll need new radiators when installing an air source heat pump, the advantages of upgrading your radiators and how these changes can affect your costs.
Prefer to discuss your radiators with one of our heat pump specialists? Simply complete the form below to get a free, instant quote for an air source heat pump and we'll be in contact with you:
In many situations, yes, you’ll find that you need new or larger radiators when you install an air source heat pump. This is because heat pumps work at lower temperatures than traditional gas boilers so your radiators need a bigger surface area to release enough warmth and keep your home comfortable.
However, whether you actually need new radiators depends on a few important things. For example, the size and insulation of your rooms, the type and age of your current radiators and how much heat your home loses all play a role. If your existing radiators are already quite large or your home is well insulated, you might not need to upgrade. Though, if your radiators are small or your home loses heat easily, new radiators will likely be needed to make sure your heat pump works efficiently.
To find out for sure whether you’ll need new radiators when installing your air source heat pump, it’s best to speak with a qualified heat pump specialist or heating engineer. Here at Glow Green, you can do this at no extra cost once you’ve received your free quote.
When you decide to upgrade your radiators as part of installing a heat pump, there are several important benefits that improve the overall performance and comfort of your new heating system. Making this upgrade helps your home stay warmer, reduces energy costs and ensures your heat pump works as efficiently as possible. Here are some key advantages to consider:
Improved Efficiency: Upgrading to larger radiators can make your heat pump system much more efficient. Larger radiators spread heat more effectively throughout your home which allows the heat pump to run at lower temperatures. This means the heat pump doesn’t have to work as hard which saves energy and could potentially lower your heating bills.
Save Money on Energy Bills: When your heat pump system runs at its highest efficiency all year round, it uses less energy to heat your home. This can lead to noticeable savings on your energy bills over time.
Even and Comfortable Heating All Year Round: Heat pumps use cooler water than traditional systems to heat your home which helps maintain a steady and comfortable temperature. Upgrading your radiators ensures that warmth is distributed evenly throughout every room, preventing cold spots and making your entire home feel cozy and consistent.
Better Planning and Faster Installation: Replacing your radiators during the same project allows the engineer to organise the work efficiently and complete everything more quickly. This means you avoid the hassle and extra cost of scheduling a separate visit later where a different engineer would need extra time to understand your home’s heating system. Combining the work saves time and makes the whole process smoother.
Environmentally Friendly: Pairing suitable radiators with a heat pump could reduce carbon footprint.
At Glow Green, we include the cost of radiator upgrades in your heat pump quote upfront so you know exactly what to expect from the very beginning of the process.
Upgrading your radiators can save you money over time. When you install new or larger radiators, they help your heating system work more efficiently by spreading heat more evenly and allowing your heat pump to run at lower temperatures. This means your system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home warm which could lower your energy bills month after month.
Of course, upgrading your radiators does come with an additional upfront cost, and it will be more expensive than simply keeping your old radiators. However, if you stick with your existing radiators, your heating system may not run as efficiently, which could lead to higher energy bills and extra costs down the line. So, while there’s an initial investment, upgrading your radiators can pay off in the long run by helping you save money and keep your home more comfortable.
If you want to learn more about the costs of air source heat pumps, check out our guide for detailed information.
According to JustRadiators, aluminium radiators are a fantastic choice for use with air source heat pumps. Here’s why:
Aluminium radiators heat up and cool down quickly so your home reaches a comfortable temperature faster and you waste less energy.
They are lightweight which make them easier to install and move if needed.
Aluminium is highly efficient at transferring heat which means you get more warmth from the energy your heat pump uses.
Radiators with a larger surface area are also a great option for air source heat pumps. This is because heat pumps work best at lower temperatures and radiators with more surface area can spread that gentle heat more effectively throughout your home. This helps keep every room comfortable and makes the whole heating system run more efficiently.
If you’re unsure which radiator models are right for you, don’t worry - our heat pump specialists are here to help.
It's difficult to say exactly how much you will pay to replace your radiators, as the final cost depends on several factors, including the type of radiator you choose and how many radiators you need to replace. Installers will also charge different rates for labour and fittings so it's important to keep this in mind when budgeting for your project.
At Glow Green, the labour cost for installing a radiator is £145, with an additional £127 for fittings and £12 for a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) per radiator. To give you a clearer idea of what you might pay per radiator, the table below shows a selection of radiators supplied and fitted by Glow Green, detailing the price of each radiator and the total cost, which includes labour, fittings and the TRV:
| Radiator Type | Radiator Cost | Total Radiator Cost (supply & installation) |
|---|---|---|
| Halcyon K2 Compact By Stelrad 300X1000 | £135.29 | £419.29 |
| Halcyon P+ Compact By Stelrad 600X1100 | £170.29 | £454.29 |
| Halcyon K2 Compact By Stelrad 700X1200 | £237.22 | £521.22 |
| Halcyon K1 Compact By Stelrad 700X1400 | £198.61 | £482.61 |
| Halcyon K3 Compact By Stelrad 400X1200 | £262.61 | £546.61 |
| Halcyon P+ Compact 300X1500 | £174.51 | £458.51 |
| Stelrad Compact K1 Single 300X1000 | £110.71 | £394.71 |
| Stelrad Compact K1 700X400 | £104.90 | £388.90 |
| Stelrad Compact K2 450X1100 | £186.04 | £470.04 |
| Stelrad Compact K2 600X1800 | £322.73 | £606.73 |
| Stelrad Softline K1 Compact 300X100 | £161.31 | £445.31 |
| Stelrad Softline K2 Compact 300X1000 | £210.74 | £494.74 |
| Stelrad Softline K2 Compact 700X800 | £266.36 | £550.36 |
| Stelrad Softline K1 Compact 700X900 | £192.91 | £476.91 |
| Stelrad Softline K2 Compact 700X900 | £256.97 | £540.97 |
*Please be advised that prices are subject to change.
When choosing radiators for your heat pump system, there are certain types you should avoid because they don’t work efficiently with the lower temperatures that heat pumps produce. Here are the main radiator types to steer clear of:
Designer radiators: While they may look stylish, many designer radiators have a small surface area or unusual shapes that limit their ability to give off enough heat at the lower temperatures provided by heat pumps. This can leave your rooms feeling cooler than you’d like.
Cast iron radiators: Cast iron radiators are designed for high-temperature systems and take a long time to heat up and cool down. Since heat pumps operate at lower temperatures, cast iron radiators often won’t provide enough warmth quickly or efficiently which make your heating system less effective.
Small radiators: Radiators with a small surface area simply can’t deliver enough heat when running at the lower flow temperatures typical of heat pumps. This means your rooms may not get warm enough, and your heat pump will have to work harder, reducing efficiency and increasing costs.
It’s worth noting that while some of these radiators may still work with air source heat pumps, they aren’t the ideal choice. For the best results, it’s a good idea to choose radiators that are specifically designed or properly sized for use with heat pump systems. Our qualified air source heat pump installers here at Glow Green can recommend the most suitable options.
If you want to figure out what type of radiators you have, start by looking at their shape, size, and the number of panels (large, flat metal sections that make up the main body of the radiator) and fins (thin metal strips or sheets attached to the main body or tubes of the radiator).
Most radiators in UK homes are either single panel (Type 11), double panel (Type 22) or even triple panel (Type 33). We’ve bolded these in the table below so you can spot them easily.
You might also come across column radiators, towel radiators in bathrooms or vertical designer models. As mentioned, the type of radiator you have affects how well it will work with an air source heat pump.
Here’s a simple table to help you identify which radiator you have and if it's a good fit for air source heat pumps:
| Radiator Type | How to Identify | Good for Air Source Heat Pumps? |
|---|---|---|
| Type 11 (Single Panel) | One flat panel with no visible fins between wall and panel. Slim profile. | No – Surface area is usually too small for efficient low-temperature heating. |
| Type 21 (Double Panel, One Fin) | Two panels with a single row of fins in between. Slightly thicker than Type 11. | Sometimes – Better than Type 11 but may still be too small for larger spaces. |
| Type 22 (Double Panel, Two Fins) | Two panels with two rows of fins sandwiched between. Noticeably thicker. | Yes – Larger surface area makes them a good match for heat pumps. |
| Type 33 (Triple Panel) | Three panels with three rows of fins. Thickest standard radiator type. | Yes – Even greater surface area, ideal for low-temperature systems. |
| Column Radiators | Multiple vertical columns, rounded or squared, often with a classic look. | Yes – If sized correctly, they can work well with heat pumps. |
| Towel Radiators | Ladder-style bars, usually in bathrooms for warming towels. | Sometimes – Fine for small bathrooms but not suitable as the main heat source. |
| Vertical Radiators | Tall and narrow, mounted vertically on the wall. Modern appearance. | Sometimes – Can work if they have enough surface area. |
If you’re still unsure, ask one of our heating specialists here at Glow Green to help you identify which type of radiator you have.
Yes, underfloor heating can take the place of new radiators in many homes. It spreads warmth evenly across your floors, creating a comfortable atmosphere without the need for visible radiators on your walls. However, whether this is the best option for you really depends on your home, your budget and your heating needs.
Choosing to replace your radiators with underfloor heating has some clear advantages. You’ll enjoy a more even heat throughout your rooms and you’ll free up wall space for furniture and décor. Underfloor heating is also often more energy-efficient when paired with modern heat pumps, since it works well at lower temperatures.
On the downside, the installation can be expensive and disruptive, especially if you’re retrofitting it into an existing home. It also takes longer to heat up a room compared to radiators which might not suit everyone’s lifestyle. For some people, especially those planning a major renovation or building a new home, switching entirely to underfloor heating could be the perfect fit.
Another option is to use both underfloor heating and radiators together. This combination gives you the best of both worlds - cozy, warm floors in areas like bathrooms and kitchens, and quick, responsive heating in living rooms or bedrooms with radiators. This setup can be more flexible and comfortable which allows you to tailor the heating to each room’s needs.
However, it can also be more complicated and costly to install and maintain, since you’ll need to manage two types of heating systems. For many people, especially in larger homes or homes with varied heating requirements, combining underfloor heating and radiators offers the most comfort and efficiency.
When you switch to an air source heat pump, you’ll often need to upgrade to larger or more efficient radiators because heat pumps run at lower temperatures than gas boilers. Though it's worth noting that whether you actually need new radiators depends on your home’s insulation, the size and type of your current radiators and how much heat your house loses. If your existing radiators are already big and your home is well insulated, you might be able to keep them. However, if your radiators are small or your house loses heat easily, upgrading is usually necessary for the system to work well.
Upgrading your radiators at the same time as your heat pump can make your heating more efficient, potentially lower your energy bills and provide more even warmth throughout your home. The best radiators for heat pumps are typically aluminium or models with a larger surface area as they transfer heat effectively at lower temperatures. Radiators to avoid include designer, cast iron and small radiators as they don’t perform well with heat pumps and can leave your rooms feeling chilly.
If you’re unsure what radiators you have or need, a heat pump specialist can help you make the right choice. Underfloor heating is also an option and works well with heat pumps but it can be costly and disruptive to install. For some homes, a mix of underfloor heating and radiators offers the best balance of comfort and efficiency.
Ultimately, our heating specialists at Glow Green can offer you personalised advice and a clear answer on whether you need new radiators for your air source heat pump.
You can sometimes use your existing radiators, especially if they are already oversized or your home is well insulated. However, if your radiators are small or not designed for lower temperatures, you may need to replace them for the system to work efficiently.
Check the size and type of your radiators. Single panel or small radiators are less likely to be suitable, while double or triple panel radiators, or those made from aluminium, are usually a better fit. A qualified installer, such as Glow Green, can assess your current setup and advise you.
Upgrading to radiators that are properly sized for your heat pump can make your system more efficient which can potentially lower your energy bills over time.
Yes, there are government grants and schemes available in the UK that can help with the cost of installing air source heat pumps and, in some cases, upgrading your radiators.
