Air Source Heat Pump Installation: A Complete 2025 Guide

As the UK transitions towards green technology, heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular amongst the region's homeowners.

As well as helping people to live a low-carbon lifestyle, they go a long way towards keeping household running costs to a minimum.

In this heat pump guide, we'll take you through the entire process of a heat pump installation from beginning to end.

Air source heat pumps are modern day, energy efficient heating systems. Heat pumps run on electricity, absorbing heat from the air outside, amplifying it, and transferring it into your home. This air will then heat your home and provide you with hot water, without the use of fossil fuels such as oil or gas. 

Air source heat pumps are 350% more efficient than brand new gas boilers. Having one installed will drastically lower your carbon footprint and shave around £500 off your annual heating costs.

What’s best is that heat pumps work just as effectively in the middle of winter as they do in the summertime. Even in the coldest temperatures, heat pumps can absorb heat from the air, which will keep your family toasty all year round.

Installing a heat pump for your home is no small job, but with a little preparation, you can keep fuss to a minimum. Follow these steps, and before long you’ll be basking in the comfort of low-carbon, energy efficient heating.

1. Assessment 

While a UK Government study found that heat pumps are suitable for all types of properties, your home may not be ready for installation. In order for a heat pump to operate at its best, your home will need adequate levels of cavity wall and loft insulation. Proper insulation will minimise heat loss, increasing your home’s energy efficiency.

You should always request a professional assessment of your property before going ahead with a heat pump installation. Professionals will be able to spot details that will evade the view of an untrained eye. 

They will also be able to guide you toward the right type of heat pump that would suit your property best. 

2. Design

Once your property has been fully assessed by an industry professional, you can move on to the design stage. Working with the information they have gathered on your home, the installer will tailor a system that works around your home’s exact needs.

This will include:

• - Correct sizing: Heat pumps come in a range of sizes. If the pump is too large, it will lead to wasted energy and a reduction of efficiency. If it's too small, it won't produce enough heat to keep your home warm and your water hot.

• - System layout: The installer will design the layout of your system, working out the pipework and wiring required for the installation. The installation team will complete the layout design on a room-by-room basis.

• - Placement: The placement of the heat pump is an important factor in the design process. Correct placement will make sure your heat pump is in the prime area for airflow. The installer will position the pump in an area that won't cause disturbance to you or your neighbours. 

  Homeowners once needed planning permission to place a heat pump within a metre of a neighbour's property. However, this rule is no longer in place.

• - Existing components: Heat pumps require specific components to be available for them to work. For example, you may need to replace your hot water cylinder and existing radiators to suit the system. 

• - Payment: The installer will be up front and transparent with you about the cost of the project. They’ll also guide you towards grants that you’re eligible for, including the UK Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). 

• - Your preferences: The installer will take the lead in the design process, but they will consider your individual preferences. After all, your satisfaction is their priority. The installation team won’t finalise the details of the design until they run them past you.

3. Installation 

If the design process has been carried out to a high standard, the air source heat pump installation process will run nice and smoothly. With top-level professionals handling the installation, there will be minimal disruption to your life.

The process will involve:

• - Mounting the outside unit: The installer will mount the air source heat pump on a solid base or wall bracket. This will prevent vibrations and excessive noise from being produced.  

• - Fitting an inside unit: The installer will fit the inside unit within your home and mount it to a bracket on the wall. They will then drill a hole through the wall, feeding the necessary cables and refrigerant lines through to the outside unit. 

• - Hot water cylinder installation: If you don’t have an adequate one in place, the installation team will fit a hot water cylinder in your home. The heat pump will store the hot water that it produces here. 

• - Control system installation: The heat pump’s operation will rely on a control system. Inside it, there will be thermostats and a control box.

• - Connections: A qualified electrician will then connect your heat pump to your central heating system and your electricity supply.

• - Final checks: After the installer and electrician have safely connected everything, it will be time to turn the pump on. The installer will run you through all the information you need to know on how to use the air source heat pump.

4. Quality Assurance

The installer will conduct a full assessment of the heat pump after completing the job. This will involve an in-depth testing of the system to make sure everything is working as it should.

The quality assessment test will also ensure that the pump meets the necessary regulatory standards. When choosing a heat pump company, you’ll want to look out for MCS Certified installers. This will guarantee high-quality service and aftercare. 

5. Post-Installation Support

Once the tools have been packed up and the van has left your driveway, the initial process will be complete. You can enjoy a cosy home, knowing your energy bills are low and you are helping the planet.

After a day or so, the project manager will check in to ensure the heat pump is working to maximum efficiency. The technical manager will take over quality control, audit the job, and complete the handover. They can also answer any questions you have about the system in detail. 

The technical manager will then run through details of service contracts for annual checkups. These are important, as they will prolong the life and manage the health of your heat pump system.

6. Maintenance, Servicing, and Repairs

While modern heat pumps are as reliable as ever, they aren’t immune to occasional hiccups. Regular maintenance of your heat pump is vital to retain efficiency and keep everything ticking over nicely. 

You should have your heat pump serviced every year. This will help you diagnose and solve small problems before they become serious. Reputable heat pump installation companies will always offer servicing and aftercare plans. These will either be in the form of an ongoing cover plan, or as one-off servicing appointments. 

Knowing that you have a number to call if something goes wrong will give you priceless peace of mind.