Grant rules checked against Ofgem on 15 October 2026
Is my home suitable for an air source heat pump?
Published and last updated 15 October 2026
Most homes can take an air source heat pump if there's outside space for the unit, room for a hot water cylinder, and radiators or underfloor heating that can heat the home at lower water temperatures. A heat loss survey by an MCS-certified installer confirms it, and the government's free heat pump check gives a quick first answer.
Try the government's free heat pump check
Quick suitability checklist
A guide only, not a survey. An MCS installer's heat loss survey confirms suitability.
Outside space for a unit roughly the size of a large suitcase on a wall or patio?
Space indoors for a hot water cylinder (or happy to give up a cupboard)?
Loft and cavity walls insulated where possible?
Radiators in every main room?
House rather than an upper-floor flat?
Single-phase mains electricity in good condition?
Do you need outdoor space?
Yes, the outdoor unit needs a spot outside with good airflow, usually on the ground, a wall bracket or a flat roof. Think about noise too: where possible, the unit should sit away from bedroom windows, yours and your neighbours'.
Do you need planning permission?
Most domestic air source heat pumps in England are permitted development, so planning permission usually isn't needed, but there are conditions on size, position and noise. Listed buildings and conservation areas may need consent, and the rules in Wales differ; your installer or local council can confirm.
Since 29 May 2025, there is no one-metre boundary rule and homes in England can have up to two units. See the planning permission and noise rules.
Do you need a hot water cylinder?
Yes for air-to-water systems, because a heat pump heats and stores hot water in a cylinder rather than heating it instantly like a combi boiler. Homes with a combi boiler need space for one, often an airing cupboard or loft space.
Will you need new radiators?
Possibly. Heat pumps work best at lower water temperatures, so some radiators may need to be larger to give out the same heat. The heat loss survey sets this room by room; it doesn't always mean replacing every radiator.
Do heat pumps work in older and terraced houses?
Yes, heat pumps can work in the Victorian and Edwardian terraces common across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, provided the system is designed around the home's heat loss.
- Solid walls lose more heat, so radiator sizing and draught-proofing matter.
- Outdoor unit placement can be tighter in back yards.
- Insulation improvements help running costs.
Do heat pumps work in cold, wet North West winters?
Yes. Air source heat pumps are designed to keep extracting heat from outside air well below freezing, and a correctly sized system will keep a home warm through a typical North West winter.
What about flats?
Flats can be harder because of outdoor space, permissions from the freeholder and cylinder space, so air-to-air systems are sometimes a better fit. See the £2,500 air-to-air grant.
Does your electricity supply need upgrading?
Sometimes. Your installer checks your fuse and consumer unit and notifies your network operator; larger systems occasionally need a supply upgrade.
Frequently asked questions
Is insulation required for the grant?
No, but it's recommended.
How big is the outdoor unit?
It varies by model and output; your installer will show you the specific unit.
Can it go at the front of the house?
Sometimes, subject to permitted development conditions.
How loud is a heat pump?
Modern units are designed to be quiet, and permitted development includes noise limits.