Everything you need to know about Heat Pumps

We work with accredited installation partners across the UK.

Heat pumps can work in nearly all homes, but there are some limitations. As a general rule, if your house is below 200m2, was built after the 1930’s and is well insulated, it should be a good fit for a Trianco Heat Pump.

The heat pump sits outside your home and is roughly 1m x 1m x 2m. It needs space around it of around a meter to the sides and front to let it breathe. Inside you will need space for a hot water cylinder which is around the size of a modern fridge/freezer which can be placed on the ground or first floor of your home. If you don’t have much space inside for a cylinder we can discuss other more bespoke options for you which will not be included in a standard quote.

Insulating your home is always a good idea as it means whatever heating appliance you have it will work more efficiently. Generally, homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D and above, with at least a couple of types of insulation (wall, loft, underfloor insulation or double glazed windows) should be well insulated enough already. If not you may have to insulate first. Cavity wall insulation usually costs around £500.

Heat Pumps run at lower temperature than a typical gas boiler (which makes them greener and cheaper to run) but this may required larger radiators to be installed to keep your home art a comfortable temperature. They may not need to be physically bigger, i.e a single radiator could be changed for a double radiator of the same length and width. Most homes need a couple of radiator upgrades but our Surveyors will confirm any radiator changes required during your home survey and they can be installed at the same time as your heat pump. Heat pumps also work well with wet underfloor heating but dry underfloor heating doesn’t work with a heat pump.

Most heat pumps can be fitted under something called “permitted develo0pment” which means that planning permission is not required. However there are a few scenarios where your installation may not fall under permitted development, in which case advice and/or planning permission must be sought from your Local Planning Authority (LPA). The most common reasons for this are:- • Your proposed heat pump location is within 1 metre of the boundary of your property • Your proposed heat pump location does not pass a noise assessment (i.e. the proposed location is too close to a neighbouring property’s window) • Other fan units (such as another heats pump or an air conditioning unit) already exist at the property • Your property is location within a World Heritage Site or conservation area, or itself is a Listed Building We will inform you if your proposed heat pump installation would be subject to planning permission being obtained from your LPA, but we’re unable to submit planning applications on your behalf.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government grant to help support the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump. Your installation quote we provide already takes into account the £7,500 government grant that we will apply for and claim on your behalf.

The survey is an important time to discuss where your heat pump wo;; go any any bespoke needs your home may have.

On the day of installation we will need clear access to all areas we will be working in including:- • A clear path to place outside where heat pump will be sited • A clear area where the water cylinder will go • Clear access to any radiators that have been identified as needing to be upgraded Every installation is bespoke to each home and your heat pump will be installed by a small team of between 2-4 people who will talk you through the job so you know what will happen and when. Your heating will be off until the heat pump is installed and running and your water supply may be interrupted intermittently. The installers will start by draining down your existing heating system and then they will remove the old boiler and water cylinder and change any radiators identified to be changed. They will then install the new heat pump cylinder and then install the heat pump. Once your heat pump is installed and working you will be shown how to use the controls. All waste and rubbish will be removed. If you have any problems once our installation team have left our technical support team are available to help over the phone.

Heat pump costs have gone down over the last few years. A heat pumps will generate three or more units of heat for each unit of electricity it uses. The UK government energy department (DESNZ) did a live study and found that the average heat pump is around 300% efficient. To deliver the heat demand of 9Kw the amount of electricity required will be 9000/3= 3000kWh At July 2023 the price cap for electricity is £0.30 per KWh so the annual cost of electricity for heating and hot water is 3000 x £0.30 = £900. Weve assumed that all households already pay the standing charge for electricity so there is no need to add this.