Question 1

How is a heat pump better than my boiler?

Accepted Answer

Heat pumps are generally three to four times more efficient than a gas boiler: a gas boiler converts 1 unit of energy into around 0.9 units of heat, while a heat pump converts 1 unit into 3-4 units of heat. Electric heating like panel or immersion heaters sits in between, at around 96-100% efficient, so still less efficient than a heat pump. Heat pumps run on electricity, not gas, so they have lower emissions, though on a standard tariff they can be more expensive to run day-to-day, and much cheaper if you have solar installed too. Boilers have a lower upfront cost, but society is moving towards heat pumps, so it's an investment in the future, and the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (£9,000 if you use heating oil) helps bring that cost down.

Question 2

How long does heat pump installation take?

Accepted Answer

Typically up to a week - longer than a solar-only install, since heat pump work can include a hot water cylinder swap, loft work, or new radiators depending on your home. We'll confirm your exact timeline once the survey's done.

Question 3

How much does a heat pump cost to install, and am I eligible for a grant?

Accepted Answer

A typical heat pump installation costs in the region of £10,000. The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (£9,000 if you currently use heating oil) usually covers around three-quarters of that, bringing costs down to as little as £1,000 for simpler installs, or up to £7,500 for more complex ones. You're eligible if you own the property and you're replacing a fossil fuel heating system (oil, gas, electric, or LPG), even if you've previously had funding for other energy efficiency work like insulation. POP is registered to apply for the grant on your behalf, and we'll manage that for you. These grants are currently confirmed available until 31 March 2027.

Question 4

What's the best tariff for a heat pump?

Accepted Answer

As heat pumps are much more efficient, they're usually far cheaper to run than direct electric heating, especially paired with a suitable tariff. However, electric boilers and heat pumps are high-load devices: without control, they can wipe out battery savings. Best practice is to use a timer or smart control so heating runs mostly from the battery, with the battery then charging mostly overnight. ASHPs specifically are most cost-effective running during cheaper, off-peak periods, and heat pump tariffs are designed around this.

Question 5

Would a heat pump work on my home?

Accepted Answer

Generally, heat pumps will work on most homes. As part of the survey process, we run heat loss calculations that help us work out how well a heat pump would warm your home, and whether any other changes (such as new, larger radiators, or increased insulation) are needed for your heat pump to operate optimally. There are currently £7,500 grants (£9,000 if you use heating oil) through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to help with these costs, available until 31 March 2027.

Question 6

Would I need new radiators or a bigger hot water cylinder?

Accepted Answer

Possibly - it depends on how your heating is currently set up. Heat pumps run at lower flow temperatures than a gas boiler, so some homes need larger radiators or an upgraded hot water cylinder for best performance. We check this during your in-person survey, so you'll know exactly what's needed before committing to anything.

Question 7

Do heat pumps work well in cold UK winters?

Accepted Answer

Modern heat pumps are designed to run efficiently even in cold winters, so it's little surprise that over half of all households in Norway and Finland have heat pumps installed. Performance will depend on your home's insulation, and the specs of the system you have fitted. We run heat loss calculations and project its performance as part of our survey process, so you can predict how it will perform through the colder months.

Question 8

Do heat pumps cost more to run than a gas boiler?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your tariff. Heat pumps are generally three to four times more efficient than a gas boiler, but because they run on electricity rather than gas, they can be more expensive to run day-to-day on a standard tariff. They become much cheaper to run if you have solar installed, or if you're on a heat-pump-specific tariff designed around off-peak rates.

Question 9

How noisy are heat pumps?

Accepted Answer

Modern air source heat pumps are much quieter than older models, typically around 40-60 decibels up close, similar to a quiet dishwasher or refrigerator hum, dropping off quickly with distance. At a typical boundary distance (say, 1 metre from a neighbouring window), a well-installed unit often sits closer to background noise level in a quiet garden.

Heat pumps for your home

Air source heat pump (ASHP) brands we trust

How heat pump installations work

Design

Survey

Install

The POP Difference

Trusted installers: MCS accredited, certified B Corp

Flexible & friendly: people-first design for all homes

Survey to switch-on in as little as two weeks

What renewable technology does POP offer?

Solar Panels

Battery

EV Charger

See how much a heat pump could save you

Frequently Asked Questions