Heat Pumps Installed in Flats? What You Need To Know
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Thinking about a heat pump?
If you’re wondering whether a heat pump could work in your home, we can give you a quick estimate and talk it through. No jargon, no pressure.
Can You Install A Heat Pump in A Flat?
Yes. You can install heat pumps in flats. However, in comparison to an installation in a house, there's a lot more to consider.
Below, we'll cover in detail:
- Choosing the perfect heat pump for your flat
- Expected installation costs
- Structural and space requirements
- How noisy heat pumps are
- FAQ
Choosing A Heat Pump For Flats
If you're looking to install an air source heat pump in a flat, you'll want one that is:
- Lightweight (sub 90 kg is ideal)
- Highly efficient (a SCOP of 4+ if possible)
- Quiet (below 60 dB)
- Low-mid sized (4kW-8kW)
The most suitable units for flats have an inverter driven compressor and are either monobloc or split system design.
The average heat pump unit from a mid-tier manufacturer is noisy. Some units operate at well above 60 dB, but there are units that operate well below 55 dB (which is what you want).
From a practical standpoint, you'll also want integrated frost protection. This will stop your unit locking out during the coldest parts of the year.
And as with any home appliance these days, you'll want smart home compatibility. Most leading brands couple their unit with an own-brand app that can be controlled remotely.
The Best Heat Pumps For Flats
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So, which are the best air source heat pumps for flats?
This isn't a one size fits all approach. Each flat will be a different size to the next, as well as having different heat and hot water requirements.
If you're trying to shortlist heat pumps, first, start with our list of the best brands.
We go into much more detail covering details of specific units in our heat pumps reviews guide here.
And here, we cover the best rated heat pumps in different categories (efficiency, noise and so on).
We only fit heat pumps that are low noise (below 60 dB), have high flow temperature and come with a long warranty. Put simply, we like the following heat pumps for flat installations:
That said, if you’re looking for a heat pump that’s perfect for flats, it’s also worth considering the Samsung EHS QT Quiet.
As the name suggests, this is one of the quietest heat pumps on the market, working at as low as 35 dB.
Installation Costs
A typical heat pump installation for flats will cost more than £10,000 including materials and labour. Obviously this is quite a lot more than a gas boiler.
For that, you'll get a high spec heat pump from a leading brand such as Ideal, Vaillant, Grant or Daikin.
However, there are various government grants available, the most popular being the Boiler Upgrade Scheme; most households in the UK are eligible.
If you are, you’ll have access to £7,500 in government funding. This drops the cost of an average unit to less than £4,000.
You can check whether or not you qualify for the grant by using our heat pump eligibility checker here; it takes less than 60-seconds to complete.
A typical installation suitable for flats includes:
You can get your heat pump installation quote here, using our clickable 2-minute form.
Each flat is going to be different to the next, so planning each project (permission, space and structural requirements) varies depending on the property.
You can get a free heat pump quote using our clickable tool with prices on-screen specific to your flat, within a matter of a couple of minutes.
And if you want to read more, jump over to our guide covering heat pump installation costs.
Space & Structural Requirements
Space
Heat pumps are a lot larger and heavier than the average gas boiler, so you'll need to determine if your flat has suitable space and structural integrity.
As a guide, you'll need approximately 1-1.5m of vertical and horizontal space to fit an air source heat pump.
You'll also need an area of approximately 1.5m in front of the heat pump that's unobstructed. This is important, because without this space at the front of the unit, it won't be able to operate efficiently.
Structural Requirements
When it comes to structural requirements, ground floor flats are rarely an issue. They have plenty of space (as they usually own part or all of the garden). Alongside this, the heat pump can be fitted in a robust installation area (patio for instance); weight there isn’t an issue.
If you want a heat pump installed in a flat that's not on the ground floor, you'll need to consider that they generally weigh 75kg-100kg. The installation space needs to have the structural integrity to take this weight. That could be a balcony floor, flat roof or on external wall brackets.
To reduce noise, many installations on flats that aren't on the ground floor will use additional isolation pads or anti-vibration feet/brackets in order to curb vibration.
Noise Compliance
Before fitting a heat pump in a flat, you'll need a noise assessment.
Essentially, this checks how noisy your heat pump is from a neighbours perspective. In order to be suitable, it's expected your heat pump won't be above 42 dB at your neighbour's boundary limit. If it's any more than this, an installation isn't possible.
And this is why quiet heat pumps in flats are essential, as they generally have "night" and "low-noise" modes. Coupled with enclosures that buffer sound and anti-vibration feet/mounts, noise can be within tolerance.
This is why we’ve mentioned low noise air source heat pumps; they’re perfect for flats. And all of the units we’ve mentioned, the Samsung EHS HT Quiet is the quietest, operating as low as 35 dB.
Heat Pumps in Flats: FAQ
Do you need the freeholders permission to install heat pumps in flats?
Yes. If your property is leasehold (most flats are), you’ll have to abide by the rules of the freeholder. Before installing an air source heat pump in a flat, read the terms of your leasehold agreement and contact the freeholder for permission.
If other flats in your block have air source heat pumps, it’s likely permission will be granted from the freeholder.
Is planning permission required to install a heat pump in a flat?
Heat pump installations are subject to a range of noise, space and boundary tolerances.
As flats (unless they are ground floor with a garden) lack options when it comes to installation space, they aren't always the most suitable heating option.
No specific planning permission is required, as long as the installation is inline with MCS Planning Standards.
Can I put a heat pump on a flat roof?
Yes, air source heat pumps (like air conditioning units), can be installed on a flat roof.
The main consideration here is the structural integrity of the roof. An air source heat pump could weigh 80-100kg, so the flat roof that it’s being installed on will need to take that weight.
Installations will need to adhere to MCS Planning Standards.
How much does installing a heat pump in a flat cost?
Installations in flats cost up to £12,000.
However, the majority of this cost is offset by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This government scheme offers up to £7,500 for qualifying properties.
Use this eligibility checker to see if you can access £7,500 in funding, dropping your heat pump installation below £4,000.
