Is My Home Suitable for a Heat Pump in the UK?

Currently, if you switch on the TV or listen to the radio while driving, you’ve probably heard an advert encouraging you to invest in a heat pump. With all the buzz and a generous government grant of up to £7,500, you might be wondering: is my home actually suitable for a heat pump?

It’s a great question, especially since heat pumps can potentially lower your energy bills and help the environment. To help you decide, this article will explain the different types of heat pumps available, which homes they work best for and what other factors you need to think about before investing in a heat pump.

Whether you own an old cottage or a modern flat, understanding these details will put you in a stronger position to take advantage of the latest energy-saving technology.

If you’d like to discuss your suitability for a heat pump with a specialist, simply complete the form below and one of our experts will contact you:

Types of Heat Pumps

Before determining if a heat pump is suitable for your home, it helps to know there are a few main types, each suited to different homes and situations. Here’s an overview of the three most common types:

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps are the most popular choice for homes in the UK. They work by taking heat from the outside air, even when it’s cold, and using it to warm your home and water. These systems are relatively compact and less expensive to install compared to other types. You might need to upgrade your radiators or insulation to get the best results, but air source heat pumps are suitable for most homes and can be a great way to reduce your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

Ideally suited for: Well-insulated homes or new builds.

At Glow Green, we specialise exclusively in air source heat pump installations. We take particular pride in installing the Vaillant AroTherm Plus - a top-tier solution for energy-efficient home heating.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Ground source heat pumps use pipes buried underground to extract heat from the earth. The ground stays at a steady temperature year-round, making these systems very efficient, especially in winter. Installation involves digging up your garden or drilling deep boreholes which can be costly and disruptive. However, ground source heat pumps are highly efficient and can provide reliable heating and hot water for larger or less well-insulated homes.

Ideally suited for: Homes with large outdoor spaces.

Water Source Heat Pumps

Water source heat pumps draw heat from a nearby body of water, like a river, lake or pond, and use it to warm your home. Water is excellent at storing heat and keeps a consistent temperature so these systems are very efficient and reliable throughout the year. The main catch is that you need to live close to a suitable water source. If you do, a water source heat pump can be one of the most efficient and cost-effective options available.

Ideally suited for: Homes near a body of water.

Key Factors to Determine Heat Pump Suitability

While each type of heat pump is designed to work best in particular kinds of homes (as we've touched on in the above section), there are also several 'universal' or key factors you should consider to decide if a heat pump is right for your property:

How Well Insulated Is Your Home?

Good insulation is key to making a heat pump work efficiently in your home. Heat pumps deliver heat at lower temperatures than traditional boilers so your house needs to hold onto that warmth as much as possible. If your home is poorly insulated, think single-glazed windows, thin walls or an uninsulated loft, you might need to make some improvements before a heat pump will perform at its best and keep you comfortable.

What Kind of Heating System Do You Have – Radiators or Underfloor Heating?

Heat pumps work best with heating systems that can spread warmth gently, like underfloor heating or large radiators. Standard radiators may need to be upgraded to bigger or double-panel models to work well with a heat pump’s lower output temperature. If you already have underfloor heating, your home is likely a great fit for a heat pump.

For more information, read our guide on: Do You Need New Radiators for Air Source Heat Pumps?.

Do You Have Enough Space for Installation and Operation?

You’ll need enough outdoor space for an air source heat pump unit, which is usually about the size of a large air conditioner and needs to be placed near an external wall. Ground source heat pumps require a large outdoor space and water source heat pumps need access to a nearby body of water. Make sure you have the right spot available before you start planning your installation.

Are You Able and Willing to Make Upgrades to Make Your Home More Suitable?

Many homes can become suitable for a heat pump with a few upgrades, such as better insulation or new radiators. If you’re open to making these changes, you’ll get the most out of your new heating system. Even older homes can be adapted, though it may involve some extra costs and effort.

Can You Afford the Upfront Costs and Ongoing Running Expenses?

Heat pumps can be a big investment upfront, especially if you need to upgrade your home’s insulation or heating system. However, government grants such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can help reduce the initial heat pump cost, and you’ll likely see lower energy bills over time. Think about your budget and whether you can cover the installation and any necessary upgrades before you decide to go ahead.

Is Your Home Suitable for an Air Source Heat Pump?

Now that we’ve gone over the key factors you should consider when thinking about installing a heat pump, let’s take a closer look at what’s especially important for air source heat pumps.

A home is most suitable for an air source heat pump if it has a well-insulated structure, a heating system that works efficiently with lower temperatures (such as large radiators or underfloor heating) and enough outdoor space for the external unit. The outdoor unit needs to be placed on a flat surface with good airflow and should be positioned away from windows or doors to minimise noise disturbance. There should also be enough space indoors for a hot water cylinder and any necessary controls.

Finally, your home’s electrical supply needs to be able to support the heat pump and you should be willing to make any required upgrades to your heating system or insulation if needed.

Key points that make your home suitable for an air source heat pump:

• Good insulation to keep heat inside and help the system work efficiently.

• Heating system compatible with lower temperatures (large radiators or underfloor heating).

• Enough outdoor space for the external unit on a flat, accessible surface.

• Sufficient indoor space for a hot water cylinder and controls.

• Adequate electrical supply to support the heat pump.

• Willingness to make necessary upgrades to heating or insulation if required.

If you're seriously thinking about installing an air source heat pump, we've listed the best air source heat pumps on the market in our comprehensive guide so you can find the perfect model to suit your needs and budget.

Is Your Home Suitable for a Ground Source Heat Pump?

Let’s now look at the factors to keep in mind that are more specific to ground source heat pumps.

A home is most suitable for a ground source heat pump if you have enough land available for the installation, typically between 600 and 1200 square metres for a horizontal ground loop system, though this can vary depending on your home’s heating needs and soil conditions.

The land should be clear of trees and buildings, and ideally have soil that holds heat well such as wet, sandy or clay soil. If you don’t have enough space for a horizontal loop, you might be able to install a vertical borehole system instead, which requires less land area but involves deeper drilling.

Your home should also have a heating system that works efficiently with lower temperatures, such as underfloor heating or large radiators, and you should be prepared for the higher initial cost compared to air source heat pumps.

Key points that make your home suitable for a ground source heat pump:

• Adequate land available.

• Land clear of trees and buildings for easy installation and optimal efficiency.

• Good soil conditions (wet, sandy or clay soil are best for heat transfer).

• Option for vertical borehole installation if horizontal space is limited.

• Heating system compatible with lower temperatures (underfloor heating or large radiators).

• Willingness to invest in the higher upfront cost for installation and possible upgrades.

Is Your Home Suitable for a Water Source Heat Pump?

Let’s now look at the factors to keep in mind that are more specific to water source heat pumps.

A home is most suitable for a water source heat pump if you have a large, accessible body of water nearby, such as a lake, river or pond, and you’re able to get the necessary permissions to use it for your heating system. The water source should be close enough to your property and must be big enough to provide a stable heat supply for your home’s needs.

Your home should also be well-insulated to get the best results from the system and you may need to upgrade your radiators to ones with a larger surface area or consider underfloor heating for efficient warmth. Finally, you’ll need enough space indoors for a hot water cylinder and the heat pump unit, and you should be prepared for a potentially higher initial cost and some installation work.

Key points that make your home suitable for a water source heat pump:

• A large, accessible body of water nearby.

• Permission to use the water source for your heat pump system.

• Good home insulation for efficient heating and lower running costs.

• Heating system compatible with lower temperatures (large radiators or underfloor heating).

• Enough indoor space for a hot water cylinder and the heat pump unit.

• Willingness to invest in the higher upfront cost and possible installation work.

Comparing Home Suitability Factors for Different Types of Heat Pumps

For ease, the below table summarises and compares the home suitability factors for air, ground and water source heat pumps:

Are Heat Pumps Suitable for Flats?

If you live in a flat, the good news is that, in principle, heat pumps can work and be a suitable option if you're looking to replace your existing heating system. However, the type of heat pump that best fits your flat depends on several practical factors, such as the amount of available space and the layout of your building.

Air source heat pumps are the most common choice for flats because they don’t need as much space as ground source systems. You will need access to an outdoor area, like a balcony or an external wall, to install the unit, and you’ll have to make sure there’s enough room for airflow and to keep noise from bothering your neighbours.

Ground source heat pumps are also possible, but they’re often more complicated to install in flats unless the building already has infrastructure in place for underground piping. They also tend to be more common in blocks of flats.

Before you decide, it’s important to consider the key factors we've already discussed, such as your flat’s insulation and your current heating system. As mentioned, you may also need to upgrade radiators or improve insulation to get the best results from a heat pump.

While it is generally more complex, many flats can benefit from the advantages that heat pumps offer.

Are Heat Pumps Suitable for Old Houses?

It's common to hear hear mixed opinions about old homes and modern heating technology. The truth is, heat pumps can work in almost any home, including older properties, but there are some important factors to consider before making the switch.

Older houses often have less insulation, single-glazed windows and radiators designed for high-temperature water, which can make it harder for a heat pump to keep your home warm efficiently. Heat pumps work best at lower water temperatures, so you might need to upgrade your radiators or install underfloor heating, and improving insulation is almost always necessary to get the best results. These upgrades help reduce heat loss and make sure your home stays comfortable while keeping running costs down.

If you have concerns about installing a heat pump in your older home, we recommend speaking with a qualified heat pump installer, such as Glow Green, who can assess your property and advise you on whether a heat pump is a practical option for you.

What Homes Are Not Suitable for Heat Pumps?

Some of the homes that aren’t well-suited for heat pumps probably won’t come as a surprise to you, but to make it crystal clear, we’ve listed the main types below. Keep in mind this isn’t an exhaustive list, and the best way to know for sure is to get a heat pump quote and assessment from a qualified installer, such as Glow Green.

• Homes with Weak Insulation: If your walls, roof or windows let a lot of heat escape, a heat pump may not keep your home comfortably warm. Upgrading insulation is usually needed to make a heat pump work at its best.

• Properties with Limited Outdoor Space: Without enough room outside for the unit (like a garden, yard or balcony), you may struggle to install an air or ground source heat pump as they need space for installation and airflow.

• Homes with Old or Unsuitable Heating Systems: If your radiators are small or your heating setup isn’t designed for lower-temperature water, a heat pump might not perform well without upgrades to your heating system.

• Remote or Rural Properties: Rural homes might face extra challenges if they lack reliable electricity supply, have limited access for installation or are off the gas grid, which can complicate the transition to heat pumps.

• Properties Without Access to a Water Source: If you’re considering a water source heat pump but don’t have a lake, river or pond nearby, this option simply isn’t suitable for your home.

• Homes with Structural Issues: Structural problems, like unstable foundations or walls, may prevent safe installation of heat pump equipment, especially for systems that require digging or heavy units.

Is My Home Suitable for a Heat Pump FAQs