Heat pump installation near me: how to choose an installer in 2026 (UK)
With the Boiler Upgrade Scheme paying £7,500 towards an air source heat pump, choosing an installer on a “near me” ranking is a costly mistake — because the grant is only payable through an MCS-certified installer. The right choice rests on evidence, not search position. What matters is a short set of checks: MCS certification (mandatory for the grant), TrustMark registration, a proper heat-loss survey, and honest talk about flow temperatures and radiator sizing. Get those right and the ranking is irrelevant.
- Check registration: MCS certification (required for the £7,500 BUS grant), TrustMark, NAPIT/other for the electrical work
- Typical 2026 rate: £9,000–£16,000 installed before grant; roughly £2,500–£8,500 after the £7,500 BUS grant
- Always compare: three written quotes, like for like
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Why we do not publish a “top 10 heat pump installers” list
A national ranking of heat pump installers cannot see your house. A well-insulated modern home with large radiators is an easy, cheap conversion; a solid-wall Victorian terrace with small rads may need extra insulation and radiator upgrades to run efficiently on a low flow temperature. The installer who is right for one may struggle with the other — and a league table knows none of that.
The method, though, works everywhere. If you can confirm MCS certification and TrustMark, insist on a proper heat-loss survey rather than a boiler-swap guess, and compare quotes on flow temperature and predicted running cost, you can judge any heat pump installer — whatever their search position.
The accreditations that actually matter
Heat pumps are the trade where accreditation is directly tied to money: no MCS certificate, no £7,500 grant. These are the credentials worth insisting on.
Verify the card, not the logo
An “MCS approved” badge is easy to display. Check the company on the official MCS installer database and confirm TrustMark registration before you commit — if either is missing, you cannot claim the £7,500 grant. A genuine installer confirms both and handles the BUS application for you.
What heat pump installers charge in 2026
Heat pump pricing depends on the size (kW) needed, how much radiator and pipework upgrading your home requires, and hot-water cylinder work. The figures below are indicative UK ranges for 2026; the second column shows the likely cost after the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
For more on running costs and whether your home is ready, see our cost guides.
How to compare quotes without comparing apples and oranges
Heat pump quotes vary because installers size differently, include different radiator work and design to different flow temperatures. Level them up before you judge on price.
- Insist on it in writing. A quote with no heat-loss survey is a guess.
- Check the kW size and flow temperature. An efficient design runs at a low flow temp (ideally around 45°C or below).
- Ask whether it is a quote or an estimate. Radiator and pipework upgrades can change the scope.
- Confirm the grant is deducted. The £7,500 BUS should be shown coming off your price, not claimed by you later.
- Match the radiator works and cylinder. A cheaper quote may skip the rad upgrades a low flow temp needs.
Questions worth asking before you book
About the business
Are you MCS-certified and TrustMark-registered, and can I check both? Do you apply for the £7,500 BUS grant on my behalf? Who does the electrical work and certifies it? What warranty comes with the heat pump?
About the job
Have you done a room-by-room heat-loss survey? What kW size and flow temperature are you designing to? Which radiators need upgrading? What running cost and efficiency (SCOP) should I expect, and do I need a new hot-water cylinder?
Red flags to walk away from
- Cash only, no paperwork. No MCS certificate means no grant and no protection.
- Large deposit up front. A staged deposit is normal; not most of the price before work starts.
- Pressure to decide today. A rushed £10,000-plus decision is a warning sign.
- “Like-for-like boiler swap” sizing with no heat-loss survey. Oversizing or high flow temperatures wreck efficiency and running costs.
Is your home ready — and getting the design right
A heat pump is only as good as its design. Unlike a gas boiler, it delivers heat at a lower temperature over longer periods, so it works best in a home that can be heated with a low flow temperature — which usually means adequate insulation and radiators sized to suit. A competent MCS installer carries out a room-by-room heat-loss survey, tells you honestly which radiators need upgrading, and designs to an efficient flow temperature. Beware anyone who quotes a heat pump the way they would swap a boiler; oversizing and high flow temperatures are the main reasons some heat pumps disappoint on running cost.
The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant makes the sums far more attractive, but it is only available through an MCS-certified, TrustMark-registered installer who applies on your behalf and deducts it from your bill — you never handle the paperwork or receive the cash yourself. Ask about the predicted efficiency (SCOP), the likely running cost against your current heating, and whether your hot-water cylinder needs replacing. A good installer welcomes these questions; a poor one glosses over them.
FAQs: finding a good heat pump installer in the UK (2026)
Do I need an MCS installer to get the heat pump grant?
Yes. The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is only payable when the heat pump is installed by an MCS-certified, TrustMark-registered installer, who applies for it on your behalf and deducts it from your price. Always check the installer on the official MCS database before committing.
How much does a heat pump cost in 2026?
A typical air source heat pump installation is around £9,000–£16,000 before the grant, or roughly £2,500–£8,500 after the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. The final figure depends on the size needed and how many radiators and pipework upgrades your home requires.
What is the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant?
It is a government grant in England and Wales that pays £7,500 towards an air source heat pump. Your MCS installer applies for it and takes it off your quote — you do not receive the money yourself. It is only available through certified installers, which is why accreditation matters so much.
Why is a heat-loss survey so important?
Because a heat pump must be sized and designed to your home, not swapped like-for-like for a boiler. A room-by-room heat-loss survey sets the correct kW size, flow temperature and radiator upgrades. Skipping it — and oversizing or running too hot — is the main cause of poor efficiency and high running costs.
Will I need new radiators for a heat pump?
Often some, not always all. Because heat pumps run at a lower flow temperature, small radiators may need upgrading to larger ones to deliver the same heat. A good installer’s heat-loss survey identifies exactly which radiators need changing, at roughly £250–£600 each, rather than guessing.
Is my home suitable for a heat pump?
Most homes can take one, but efficiency depends on insulation and radiator sizing. Well-insulated homes convert easily; older, harder-to-treat homes may need some insulation and radiator upgrades first. A reputable MCS installer will assess suitability honestly and design for a low flow temperature and good running costs.
Compare real heat pump installers, on your actual home
Ignore the search ranking. Tell us about your home and we will match you with vetted, MCS-certified local installers who can survey and quote on the real job — grant included — so you compare three prices side by side.