Loft insulation, cavity walls, mould and damp, painting and EPC improvements across Luton and Bedfordshire 020 8090 9481 WhatsApp 07456 394024 info@ecobuild-contractors.co.uk
£7,500Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant towards an air source heat pump in England and Wales (October 2026)Source: gov.uk
0% VATon heat pumps installed in homes, set to apply until 31 March 2027Source: gov.uk (VAT Notice 708/6)
Heating & Renewables

Air Source Heat Pumps with EcoBuild Contractors

An air source heat pump takes warmth from the outside air, even on a cold winter day, and moves it into your radiators or underfloor heating and your hot water cylinder. It runs on electricity but delivers several units of heat for each unit it uses. For air source heat pump installation in Luton and the surrounding towns, EcoBuild Contractors handles the survey, design, fitting and commissioning for homes and commercial buildings.

A heat pump does not behave like a boiler. It works at lower water temperatures for longer periods, so the size of the unit, the radiators and the pipework all matter. That is why we never quote from a phone call alone. We measure the rooms, work out how much heat each one loses on a cold day, and only then recommend a model and any radiator changes.

Most properties moving off gas, oil, LPG or old electric heating can be considered. Funding may be available, most often through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which needs a valid Energy Performance Certificate and an MCS certified installation. We check what you qualify for and set out the figures in writing before any work is booked.

What we do

Heat pump work we carry out

Air-to-water heat pump systems

Monobloc or split units that heat your radiators or underfloor circuits plus a hot water cylinder, replacing a gas, oil, LPG or electric system.

Heating system design and assessment

A room-by-room heat loss calculation that fixes the pump size, the flow temperature and the radiator sizes before anything is ordered.

Hot water cylinder installation

Heat pump compatible cylinders with the larger internal coil a lower-temperature system needs, fitted in the old airing cupboard where space allows.

Radiator upgrades for heat pumps

Larger or extra radiators, and replacement of narrow microbore pipe, wherever the survey shows a room would fall short at heat pump temperatures.

Underfloor heating integration

Connecting new or existing wet underfloor heating, which suits the gentle water temperatures a heat pump runs at.

Heat pump replacement and upgrades

Replacing a failed or undersized older unit, or reworking the controls and settings on a system that has never performed as it should.

Servicing and maintenance

Yearly checks of the outdoor unit, system pressure, strainers, controls and cylinder, arranged so the pump keeps running efficiently.

Grant and funding advice

We explain the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, 0% VAT and the government's new Warm Homes loans, and check which may apply to your property.

Why it is worth it

Benefits of air source heat pumps

Lower carbon heating

Moving off gas or oil cuts the emissions your home produces, and the figure keeps falling as more grid electricity comes from renewables.

Steady, even warmth

A heat pump runs gently for long periods, so rooms hold a constant temperature instead of heating up and cooling down in bursts.

No fuel deliveries or flue

Oil tank top-ups and LPG bottles become a thing of the past, and nothing burns inside the house.

Heating and hot water from one unit

The outdoor unit and cylinder look after radiators and taps all year, with a weather compensating controller doing the adjusting for you.

Will an air source heat pump work in an older house?

Usually, yes, but the answer depends on heat loss rather than age. A Victorian terrace with a well insulated loft and double glazing can need less heat than a draughty 1970s semi. The survey tells us how many kilowatts each room needs on a cold day, and whether your current radiators can deliver that at the lower water temperature a heat pump prefers.

Where a room falls short, the fix is often one or two larger radiators rather than a full refit. Topping up loft insulation or filling empty wall cavities first can also allow a smaller, cheaper heat pump. If a property is not a good fit yet, we will say so and explain what would change that.

House roof fitted with solar panels

How does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme work?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government grant in England and Wales that reduces the upfront cost of replacing fossil fuel or electric heating with a heat pump. There is no income test, and landlords can apply as well as homeowners. The MCS certified installer applies for the voucher on your behalf and the grant comes off the invoice, rather than being paid to you. Hybrid systems that keep a boiler do not qualify.

Grant levels are set by government and reviewed from time to time, and oil and LPG homes have been offered a higher rate for a limited period. Lower-income households in England may also be able to get help through their council's Warm Homes: Local Grant. When you enquire, we check the current rules and what your property may qualify for, so the quotation shows the real amount you would pay.

Air source heat pump outdoor unit on a level base beside a brick house wall
Our process

How the job runs

  1. Free survey and heat loss checkWe measure every room, look at insulation, radiators and pipework, and find a suitable spot for the outdoor unit.
  2. Design and written quoteYou receive a recommended unit size, cylinder, radiator changes and a fixed price, with any funding you may be eligible for explained.
  3. InstallationThe outdoor unit goes on a solid base or wall brackets, the cylinder and controls go in, and the old boiler or tank is taken away.
  4. Commissioning and handoverWe fill, balance and test the system, set the flow temperature and controls, show you how to use them and hand over the paperwork.
FAQ

Air Source Heat Pumps questions

How much does an air source heat pump cost to run?

Running costs depend on your electricity tariff, how well the building holds heat and how carefully the system is set up. A correctly sized pump at a low flow temperature, on a tariff designed for heat pumps, gives the best results, and we explain the expected costs for your home at quote stage.

Do I need planning permission for an air source heat pump?

In England most houses can have one fitted under permitted development rules, provided the unit meets the noise and size conditions. Listed buildings, flats and some conservation areas can need consent, and we check this during the survey.

How noisy is an air source heat pump?

Outdoor units make a low fan hum, which rises when they are working hard in very cold weather. Careful siting away from bedroom windows and neighbours, anti-vibration feet and a solid base keep the sound to a minimum.

Do I need a hot water cylinder with a heat pump?

For an air-to-water system, yes. If you have a combi boiler now, we find room for a cylinder, often in a cupboard, loft or garage, and show you the options at the survey.

Can I get help paying for a heat pump if I do not qualify for a grant?

Homes pay 0% VAT on heat pumps until 31 March 2027, which applies to every eligible household. The government is also introducing low and zero interest Warm Homes loans for heat pumps through participating lenders, and we can tell you where they stand when you enquire.

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