For flats with available outdoor space, such as a balcony or a garden, individual heat pumps are a viable option as they provide a location for housing the external unit of the heat pump.

In the case of flats with a balcony but no garden, air source heat pumps emerge as the sole feasible choice. However, the balcony should exceed the size of 1 square metre, which is the typical area required for an outdoor unit of an air source heat pump.

Furthermore, most flats with gardens will also necessitate an air source heat pump, as the probability of having the 100-square-metre garden essential for a ground source heat pump is minimal. Notably, the installation of an air source heat pump entails a cost that is at least £10,000 less than that of a ground source heat pump.

For flats lacking a balcony or garden, the outdoor unit of an air source heat pump could potentially be affixed to the exterior wall of the flat, akin to the installation of an air conditioning unit. However, it should be conveniently accessible from a window or the ground to facilitate maintenance work when necessary.

Shared heat pumps for blocks of flats

A sizable shared heat pump has the capacity to provide heating to an entire block of flats, and is predominantly the primary choice for high-rise buildings or blocks of flats lacking balconies or gardens.

Typically, this is accomplished through the utilization of ground source heat pumps. A collective ground loop, which is responsible for extracting heat from the earth, is buried in the vicinity of the block of flats and linked to individual indoor units installed within each flat.

Alternatively, a substantial primary air source heat pump could be situated on the roof and connected to individual units within the flats.

How do you get a heat pump for your flat?

If you intend to acquire a shared heat pump for a block of flats, you must seek permission from the freehold owner, unless you possess the entire building. This entails approaching the individual or entity that holds ownership of the property and the land upon which it is constructed.

Given that the implementation of this technology has only been introduced in recent years, there are currently few installers with the necessary qualifications to set up a shared heat pump system in a block of flats, potentially limiting your available choices.

For instance, Vaillant, a prominent heating technology developer in Europe, recently unveiled its inaugural heat pumps tailored specifically for flats in March 2023.

In the event that you wish to install an individual air source heat pump in a flat featuring a balcony or garden, it is imperative to ensure that you have the appropriate authorization to do so. If you are renting, you will require consent from the landlord or freeholder prior to the installation of a heat pump. Similarly, if you only possess a portion of the freehold, you may need consent from the other freeholders.

How much does a heat pump cost for a flat?

The cost of purchasing and installing an air source heat pump for a flat is approximately £7,000, while a ground source heat pump typically costs around £17,000.

These figures do not encompass the expenses associated with additional measures required to prepare a flat for a heat pump, such as the installation of larger radiators, improved insulation, and/or underfloor heating. We generally recommend these supplementary measures to ensure that your home remains comfortably warm, given that heat pumps generate heat at lower temperatures than traditional boilers.

The cost of implementing a shared heat pump system for a block of flats can vary significantly based on factors such as the size of the block, the number of flats within it, and the intricacy of the installation.

For instance, Enfield Council in London recently allocated £7.3 million for the retrofitting of 13 high-rise apartment blocks, encompassing approximately 400 flats, with a shared ground source heat pump. This equates to roughly £18,250 per flat, which is not much higher than the cost of installing a ground source heat pump for an individual household.

If you wish to obtain further information regarding the expenses associated with heat pumps, refer to our comprehensive guide.

Will a heat pump help you save on energy bills in a flat?

Switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump may not lead to immediate savings on your energy bills, as gas is presently less expensive than the electricity utilized by heat pumps. Consequently, transitioning to a heat pump from a gas boiler is likely to result in slightly elevated energy costs.

However, it is anticipated that the price of gas will increase in the future, while the cost of electricity is expected to decrease. As the government advocates for a transition away from fossil fuels such as gas and oil, there is a likelihood that electricity will become the most cost-effective method for heating homes. Consequently, while the initial switch may not yield immediate financial benefits, over time, a heat pump could lead to savings on energy expenditures.