If your home is currently heated by an oil or LPG boiler, you may be considering an air source heat pump as an alternative.
With rising interest in renewable heating and new government support available for eligible properties, now can be a good time to explore whether a heat pump is suitable for your home.
At DJB Installs, we can guide you through the process from the initial assessment right through to the installation and commissioning of your new system.
What is an air source heat pump?
An air source heat pump takes heat energy from the outside air and uses electricity to raise the temperature to a level suitable for heating your home and hot water.
Unlike an oil or LPG boiler, which burns fuel to generate heat, a heat pump moves heat from one place to another. The system works with your central heating system to provide consistent heating throughout your home.
For homes currently relying on oil or LPG, making the switch can also remove the need for fuel deliveries and on-site fuel storage.
Step 1: Assessing your home
The first step is to determine whether an air source heat pump is suitable for your property.
Every home is different, so the system should be designed around the individual property rather than simply replacing an existing boiler with a heat pump of a similar size.
We look at factors such as:
- The size and layout of your home
- The construction and insulation of the property
- Your existing radiators and heating system
- Your hot water requirements
- The location available for the outdoor heat pump unit
- Your current heating requirements
- The electrical supply to the property
- The space available for a hot water cylinder and associated equipment
A heat loss calculation is an important part of this process. It allows the system to be correctly sized so that it can provide the heating your home needs efficiently.
Step 2: Looking at your existing heating system
Moving from oil or LPG to a heat pump isn’t simply a case of taking the old boiler out and putting a new unit in its place.
Your existing oil or LPG boiler may be producing higher flow temperatures than an air source heat pump normally requires. Heat pumps are generally designed to operate efficiently at lower flow temperatures, so we assess the existing radiators and heating distribution system to make sure they are suitable.
In some properties, existing radiators may be perfectly adequate. In others, some radiators may need to be upgraded to larger, more suitable models.
We will also assess your existing hot water arrangements. Many oil and LPG systems use a cylinder already, which can sometimes make the transition to a heat pump more straightforward, although the existing cylinder will still need to be checked for compatibility.
Step 3: Designing the new system
Once we understand the property and its heating requirements, we can design the complete system.
This includes selecting the appropriate heat pump, designing the pipework and heating system, choosing suitable controls and determining the best location for the outdoor unit.
The aim is to create a system that provides reliable heating and hot water while allowing the heat pump to operate as efficiently as possible.
We will also discuss any improvements that could be beneficial, such as insulation or radiator upgrades, before work begins.
Step 4: Removing the oil or LPG system
Once the new system has been designed and the installation arranged, the existing oil or LPG heating equipment can be removed or decommissioned as appropriate.
For an oil-heated property, this may include dealing with the existing oil boiler, associated pipework and, where required, the oil storage tank.
For an LPG property, the existing LPG boiler and associated equipment will need to be dealt with safely and appropriately.
The exact requirements will depend on the existing installation and the property.
Step 5: Installing the air source heat pump
The air source heat pump itself is installed outside the property, in a suitable location with adequate airflow.
New pipework connects the outdoor unit to the internal heating system. Depending on the design, additional components such as a hot water cylinder, buffer arrangement, controls and other system components may also be installed.
Inside the property, we connect the new system to the heating and hot water circuits.
Where necessary, radiators can be upgraded as part of the installation to ensure they are capable of delivering the required heat at the lower temperatures associated with heat pump operation.
Step 6: Commissioning and setting up the system
Once installation is complete, the system needs to be properly commissioned.
This involves checking the installation, testing the heating and hot water operation, setting the controls and making sure the heat pump is operating in accordance with the system design.
We will also explain how to use the controls and how the system is intended to operate.
A heat pump is generally operated differently from an oil or LPG boiler. Rather than rapidly heating the property to a high temperature and switching off, it is designed to provide a steadier, more consistent level of heating.
Understanding this difference can help homeowners get the best from their new system.
Up to £9,000 available through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
For eligible properties in England and Wales, the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) can provide significant financial support towards the installation of an air source heat pump.
The standard Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is £7,500 for an eligible air source heat pump. However, an additional £1,500 uplift is available for eligible properties currently heated by oil or LPG, taking the total available grant to £9,000. The additional uplift is currently scheduled to be available until 31 March 2027.
This means that if your property currently relies on oil or LPG heating and meets the scheme’s eligibility requirements, you could receive £9,000 towards the cost of switching to an air source heat pump.
The grant is subject to eligibility criteria and scheme rules, so it is important to have your property assessed and confirm that the installation qualifies before proceeding.
Is an air source heat pump right for your home?
Switching from oil or LPG to an air source heat pump is a significant change to the way your home is heated. However, with the right system design and installation, it can provide an effective alternative to fossil-fuel heating.
The most important thing is to make sure the system is properly designed for your particular property.
At DJB Installs, we can assess your existing heating system, discuss your requirements and explain what would be involved in making the switch.
If you’re currently heating your home with oil or LPG and are considering an air source heat pump, get in touch with DJB Installs to discuss your options and find out whether you could be eligible for the £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.