Heat pump case studies

Seeing how heat pumps work in different types of homes can help you understand what to expect for your own property. Here are three typical retrofit examples from across the UK.

1. The Victorian Terrace (London)

  • Property: Mid-terrace built in 1900, 3 bedrooms.
  • Measures: Air source heat pump (7kW), loft insulation top-up, 4 radiators upgraded.
  • The challenge: Limited outdoor space and solid brick walls.
  • The outcome: The unit was wall-mounted in the small rear courtyard. Despite the lack of wall insulation, the heat pump provides consistent warmth. Annual energy bills dropped by £300 after switching from an old G-rated gas boiler.

2. The 1970s Semi (Manchester)

  • Property: Semi-detached, cavity walls, 3 bedrooms.
  • Measures: Air source heat pump (5kW), cavity wall insulation, underfloor heating in the kitchen.
  • The challenge: Replacing a relatively modern but expensive-to-run oil boiler.
  • The outcome: By insulating the cavity walls first, the owners were able to use a smaller 5kW unit. The system is extremely quiet and the owners now use a Time-of-Use tariff to heat their hot water for free using excess solar power.

3. The Rural Detached (Cotswolds)

  • Property: Large detached stone house, off-gas grid.
  • Measures: Ground source heat pump (vertical boreholes), double glazing.
  • The challenge: High heat demand and a requirement for a system that didn’t impact the look of the historic building.
  • The outcome: Two 80-metre boreholes were drilled in the driveway. The heat pump is located in the garage. The system provides 100% of the heating and hot water, replacing a smoky and expensive biomass boiler.

Want to share your story? If you have installed a heat pump and would like to help others by sharing your experience, please contact us.

You can find more detailed examples across all technology types on our main case studies hub.