Can I get a heat pump?

"Can I actually get a heat pump?" is one of the most common questions — and for most homes the answer is yes, with the right design. Below we work through the situations people worry about most, from flats and listed buildings to solid walls and low EPCs. To check your own home and see costs, use the free calculator.

Can I get a heat pump if…

Can I get a heat pump if I live in a bungalow?

Yes — bungalows are often ideal. They're typically single-storey with straightforward pipework and usually have outdoor space for the unit. Sizing depends on floor area and insulation like any home.

Can I get a heat pump if I live in a flat?

Often yes, but it depends on where the outdoor unit can go and, for leaseholders, freeholder permission. Ground-floor and garden flats are most straightforward. Air-to-air systems are sometimes an option where space is very tight. An installer assesses access during the survey.

Can I get a heat pump if my house is old?

Yes. Period and Victorian homes are heated with heat pumps successfully every week. Older homes lose more heat, so they may need a larger system and some insulation improvements, but age alone is not a barrier with good design.

Can I get a heat pump if I have solid walls?

Yes. Solid walls lose more heat than cavity walls, so the heat-loss survey may recommend a larger system or some insulation. It's very common in older UK housing and well within what installers handle.

Can I get a heat pump if I have radiators?

Yes — heat pumps work with standard radiators. The difference is they run cooler, so some radiators may need upsizing to deliver the same warmth. Many homes keep most of their existing radiators.

Can I get a heat pump if I have underfloor heating?

Yes, and it's an excellent match. Underfloor heating runs at low temperatures, which is exactly what heat pumps deliver efficiently. If you have it, you're well set up.

Can I get a heat pump if I have oil heating?

Yes — and off-gas-grid oil homes are a priority. From 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027 eligible off-gas-grid oil homes can claim the higher £9,000 grant, and running-cost savings versus oil are real.

Can I get a heat pump if I have LPG?

Yes. LPG is expensive to run, so the switch often saves the most on running costs. Off-gas-grid LPG homes also qualify for the higher £9,000 grant during the uplift window. A strong candidate for a heat pump.

Can I get a heat pump if I have electric heating?

Yes — replacing direct or storage electric heating usually gives the biggest running-cost win, because a heat pump delivers several units of heat per unit of electricity. Electric-heated homes qualify for the standard £7,500 grant.

Can I get a heat pump if I have a combi boiler?

Yes, but note you'll need space for a hot water cylinder, since heat pumps store hot water rather than heating on demand like a combi. That's usually an airing cupboard or loft. Otherwise a combi-heated home is a normal candidate.

Can I get a heat pump if I have a low EPC?

You can install one, but a low EPC usually means higher heat loss and running costs, so insulation improvements may be recommended first. For the grant, your EPC must be valid (issued within 10 years) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation — those must be done or be exempt.

Can I get a heat pump if I have no loft insulation?

You can, but it's worth insulating first — it shrinks the system you need and cuts running costs. For the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, an EPC recommending loft insulation means you generally need to install it (or be exempt) before the grant is approved.

Can I get a heat pump if my property is listed?

Often yes, but listed buildings usually need listed building consent and sometimes planning permission, especially for the outdoor unit's position. It takes more planning, and a good installer experienced with heritage properties will guide you through it.

Can I get a heat pump if I rent?

As a tenant you can't apply for the grant yourself — the property owner must. If you rent, speak to your landlord; we can still capture your details and advise. Private landlords are eligible to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme on their rental properties.

Can I get a heat pump if I'm a landlord?

Yes. Landlords (private owners of let property) qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant on the same terms as owner-occupiers, provided the property and installation meet the conditions. It can also improve the property's EPC and appeal.

Related guides

• The £7,500 grant — full eligibility for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
• What a heat pump costs — including by house size and EPC.
• What installation involves — radiators, cylinder, planning.