Practical guidance on whether a heat pump is right for your home, how it works with underfloor heating, and what to realistically expect.
Heat pumps produce far less carbon than gas or oil boilers, especially when using renewable electricity.
In well-insulated homes with underfloor heating, many households achieve similar or lower running costs than gas boilers.
You can currently get up to £7,500 (or £9,000 oil/LPG off-gas) through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to help with installation costs.
An air source heat pump takes heat from the outside air — even when it’s cold — and moves it into your home to provide heating and hot water.
It doesn’t generate heat like a gas boiler. Instead, it moves existing heat using electricity. This makes it much more efficient, especially when paired with underfloor heating.
How a heat pump takes warmth from cold air and delivers it into your home
Air source heat pumps work most efficiently at lower water temperatures (typically 35–45°C). This is why they pair especially well with underfloor heating, which is designed to operate at these lower temperatures.
Correct sizing is critical. An undersized system won’t keep your home warm, while an oversized one can be inefficient and more expensive.
Explore Heat Pump Sizing Factors →Heat pumps perform best in well-insulated homes. Before installing one, it’s worth improving loft insulation, wall insulation, and reducing draughts.
You’ll need suitable outdoor space for the unit. Modern heat pumps are much quieter than older models, but location still matters.
Heat pumps can provide domestic hot water, but you may need a larger hot water cylinder than you’re used to with a gas boiler.
Even with the £7,500 (or £9,000 oil/LPG off-gas) grant, heat pumps have a higher upfront cost. Long-term savings depend heavily on insulation and system design.
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