An air source heat pump (ASHP) is a low-carbon heating system that moves heat from the outside air into water for your radiators or underfloor heating and your hot-water cylinder. Because it transfers heat rather than burning fuel, it can deliver around 3–4 units of heat for every unit of electricity used, making it highly efficient and low-carbon — a modern alternative to a boiler.
Energy Efficiency Measures
Air Source Heat Pumps
What Is an Air Source Heat Pump?
Optimum results are achieved in a well-insulated home: performance and running costs are optimised when heat loss is lower, because better fabric efficiency allows lower flow temperatures at the radiators/emitters—exactly where heat pumps are most efficient.
An ASHP also works well with Solar PV: heat pumps run on electricity, so pairing with solar panels can lower both electricity and heating bills by supplying part of the pump’s demand from your own generation. You’ll still draw from the grid at times (e.g., evenings/winter), but PV can meaningfully offset running costs across the year.
If you’re unsure whether a heat pump is right for your home, we can check and advise please enquire now.
What to expect
A typical installation takes around 2–5 days, depending on your home. You should expect some internal works (usually a hot water cylinder and, if needed, some radiator upgrades), plus an outdoor unit sited with good airflow. We’ll commission the system and show you how to run it efficiently. Where required, your electricity network operator will be notified about the installation — that’s a standard step for heat pumps.
Most homes do not need planning permission because domestic ASHPs usually qualify as permitted development when siting and noise rules are met (MCS Planning Standard).
Benefits to Air Source Heat Pumps
- Suitable for most home types
Large UK trials show heat pumps can be installed across a wide variety of homes with high customer satisfaction - Quiet by design
Modern units are engineered to run quietly, and we site them to meet planning noise criteria used for permitted development - Lower-carbon heating from day one
Heat pumps use electricity to move heat rather than burn fuel, so household CO₂ is typically much lower than with gas or oil—and keeps falling as the grid gets greener - Can cut bills—especially if replacing oil, LPG or direct-electric
Because heat pumps are highly efficient, many homes see lower running costs when switching from oil/LPG or old electric heaters. Savings versus modern gas can vary with tariffs and set-up, which we optimise for you - Comfortable, steady warmth with smart controls
Heat pumps work best at lower, steadier flow temperatures. Modern weather/load compensation keeps rooms even and cosy while helping the system run efficiently - Safe and low-maintenance
There’s no on-site combustion, so no flue gases or carbon monoxide produced by your heating system. Like a boiler, a simple annual service keeps is the norm
Potential annual savings of installing a standard air source heat pump in a three bedroom semi-bedroom detached home in Great Britain, with radiator upgrades as needed.
Source: Energy Saving Trust
Figures are based on fuel prices as of July 2025. Find out more about how we made these calculations. The running cost you can expect will depend on the size of your home, any heating system upgrade and any saving will also depend on the fuel type being replaced. You can expect the saving to range between old and new, depending on the age of your current heating system.
Sustainable Building Services: Energy efficiency measures you can trust
Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd is one of the UK’s leading installers of energy efficiency measures.
All measures are installed to the highest quality and Government standards.
They are installed to meet current Building Regulations for England & Wales.
An independent guarantee is provided for peace of mind, for a period of up to 25 years, and is transferable with a change of ownership of the property.
Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd is a member of the Consumer Code of Conduct bodies for energy efficiency and renewable energy products: Home Insulation & Energy Systems Contractors Scheme (HIES) and Consumer Protection Association (CPA)
