Air Source Heat Pump Installation in Cambridge

Cambs Heating | MCS registered Heat Pump Installation in Cambridge.

We’re dedicated to helping homeowners and businesses make the switch to low-carbon, energy-efficient heating solutions. As MCS certified experts in air source heat pump installation in Cambridge, we ensure every system we install meets the highest industry standards and qualifies for government incentives like the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Whether you’re replacing an old boiler or starting a new build, Cambs Heating provides tailored advice, reliable service, and ongoing support—right here in Cambridge and the surrounding areas.

Go Green

Reduce your carbon footprint, and contribute to a greener future.

0% VAT To Pay

On the whole installation including any other heating works.

£7,500 grant

We handle the grant paperwork and claim on your behalf.

Free Surveys

No Up-Front Costs Prior to Installation.

How does the process work?

Step 1

Use our online estimate tool to get an idea of costs.

Step 2

Book a Free Home Survey .

Step 3

Review your Proposal, Sign the contract and book your installation.

Our Online Heat Pump Estimate Tool

This tool has been developed specifically to give fast, accurate estimates to consumers so you can get an idea of price for your heat pump installation in Cambridge.

We use data from your EPC (if you have one) to pull in the property details, you can check these over and amend as necessary to include any changes to the property.

Once you have completed the form, it is sent to us for review prior to us sending the estimate across.

When you receive your Heat Pump estimate it will contain a detailed breakdown of the unit specified, potential energy savings and what to do next.

Personalized heat pump cost estimate overview for property suitability, including installation cost, energy savings, and grant eligibility details.

Free home survey

We understand the dilemma consumers face when trying to obtain multiple quotes for heat pumps. Therefore, to ease this process, we offer FREE Surveys for heat pump installation in Cambridge and the surrounding areas.

During the Survey we will carry out a full room by room heat loss calculation & sound assessment. We will determine the location for the heat pump and cylinder, look at the electrical requirements and discuss any preferences you may have. This normally takes around 2 hours.

After the assessment we will then issue a detailed quotation (proposal) for your property.

The proposal will detail any radiators that need upgrading, the make, model, and output of the selected heat pump, as well as the flow temperature and the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) of the heat pump.

Heat loss calculation data for living room, showing total heat loss of 987W, room dimensions, and performance metrics relevant to heat pump installation.

Heat Pump Installation Cambridgeshire

Once you are satisfied with the quotation and would like to proceed, you can sign the contract and arrange an installation date. Our team will guide you through the contract details, ensuring everything is clear and addressing any questions you may have.

Next, our expert team, composed of certified technicians and experienced installers, will handle the entire installation process for your heat pump and its components. We will manage all aspects, including setting up the indoor and outdoor units, as well as the necessary piping, electrical connections, and integration with your existing heating system.

After the installation is complete, our commitment to you continues with comprehensive support. This includes regular servicing to maintain the optimal performance of your heat pump. Additionally, our team is always available to address any technical issues or questions that may arise.

Ultimately, our goal is to ensure your complete satisfaction and comfort with your new heating system.

Four Cambs Heating vans parked outside a church, showcasing the company

Get An Online Estimate

How do Heat Pumps work?

It all starts with thermal energy (heat) that’s naturally in the air. Even when it feels cold, there’s still plenty of heat there that can be used.

Heat pumps take this heat and raise its temperature before transferring the heat to your central heating system. This is a four-step process:

A liquid chemical (similar to what your fridge uses) takes heat from the air.
Liquid turns into a hot gas through compression.
The hot gas releases its heat to your central heating, warming your home.
The gas cools down, turning it back into a liquid, ready to start all over again.

This is known as a refrigeration cycle. In fact, you may hear that a heat pump works just like a refrigerator in reverse. That’s because it uses the same cycle but in the opposite direction.

Air source heat pump system diagram illustrating heat transfer process to a building, featuring a Vaillant unit, sun, wind, and simplified house outline.

What type of systems we fit

We mainly Install Vaillant and Worcester Bosch Air Source Heat Pumps. This covers both R290 and R32 gas options and uses experienced manufacturers with guarantees of 7 Years.

Maximum Efficiency – we adopt 3 main principles when fitting heat pumps.

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Avoid Buffer Vessels – Buffer vessels can reduce overall efficiency due to distortion, which requires increased flow temperatures.
Opt for Open LoopSystems – Open loop heating systems maintain water volume and prevents short cycling.
Use Anti-FreezeValves – Glycol in a heat pump system can reduce its efficiency and can also be harmful to the environment.

Air source heat pump installation by Vaillant, showcasing energy-efficient heating solution, modern design, and residential setting.

Air source heat pump installed outdoors, surrounded by garden beds and greenery, highlighting energy-efficient heating solutions by Cambs Heating.

Barclays Greener Home Reward

Barclays currently offer a one-time cash reward of £2000 to help with the cost of adding a heat pump to your home.

If you’ve got a residential mortgage with Barclays you can claim for Greener Home Reward. You’ll need a TrustMark registered or Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified business such as Cambs Heating to complete the home improvements.

1 meter boundary ruleScrappedfor Heat Pump Installations

The one-metre rule has been removed meaning millions of homeowners can now install heat pumps without planning permission.

Air Source Heat Pump FAQ’s

Is my home’s insulation suitable for an air source heat pump?

Homeowners no longer have to install cavity wall or loft insulation to use the boiler upgrade scheme, which offers grants of £7,500 off the cost of heat pump installation.

Do I have enough space for the indoor equipment?

The indoor equipment such as hot water cylinder, buffer vessel, and control panel will need a cupboard height of at least 2 meters, and the cupboard floor area should be a minimum of 0.8 meters x 0.8 meters.

Will I need new radiators?

Not necessarily, we will check each radiator and advise accordingly on if it will suit the system. You may be surprised to know that a lot of radiators are considerably oversized so can run at the lower temperature.

Do you install new radiators or underfloor heating?

Yes, we install radiators and underfloor heating. We can install low profile retro-fit underfloor heating from as little as 20mm high.

Do I need planning permission?

UK Planning Law

In England, most air source heat pump installations are considered permitted developments and generally do not require planning permission. If your property is located in a World Heritage Site, conservation area, or is a Listed Building could mean planning is needed.

What if I don’t have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

We can do an online search to check if you have a valid EPC. If not, no worries, we can arrange for this on your behalf from £75.

Do heat pumps work in very cold weather?

Yes, Heat pumps are designed to operate in a wide range of temperatures, and modern units can work efficiently in temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) or even lower, depending on the model.

How much does a heat pump installation cost?

Generally, after the BUS grant the consumer would end up paying between £4500 – £7500 but there are a large number of factors that come in to play. Contact us today for a free quote!

What is SCOP?

SCOP stands for Seasonal Coefficient of Performance, and it’s a metric used to measure the energy efficiency of a heat pump over a heating season. SCOP is calculated by dividing the total amount of heat delivered by the total amount of energy consumed over the same period.

What SCOP do I need to be cheaper than a gas boiler?

Due to the constant change in energy prices and Tariffs this is difficult to pin down exactly, however we see that SCOP’s of 3.5 will generally match or beat most gas boilers. We aim to go beyond this if possible.

Will the installation be eligible for a 0% VAT rate?

All residential installations, including radiator upgrades and any other items related to the installation of your air source heat pump, qualify for zero VAT. You can find more information on the GOV.UK website under Energy-saving materials and heating equipment (VAT Notice 708/6).

How does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme work?

We apply and claim for the BUS grant on your behalf and deduct the value from your invoice.

Are self-build properties eligible?

Your self-build property is eligible if you are building it yourself or you paid a builder to construct it, and it has never been owned by a business or organisation.

How long does the installation take?

A typical an air source heat pump installation takes around 5 days to install and commission.

Do heat pumps work with micro-bore pipework?

Yes.

Although installing a buffer vessel on the system may be necessary so that you won’t have to worry about upgrading your pipework.

Do heat pumps need servicing?

Yes, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) and unvented hot water cylinders need annual servicing to ensure they operate safely, efficiently, and reliably. Regular servicing can extend the lifespan of the heat pump, improve its performance, and prevent potential issues.

Manufacturers require annual servicing as a condition of their warranty. Failure to service the heat pump could void the warranty.

Rest assured that Cambs Heating can service your heat pump and cylinder when the time comes.

What about running costs?

You will receive a system performance estimate detailing your estimated running costs with your quotation. If you can provide us with your current energy usage we can use this data to give you a realistic annual running cost. We generally strive to achieve higher SCOP’s to ensure you make a saving on your bills.

What brands of heat pumps do you install?

We install all brands of air source heat pumps but specialise in Vaillant and Worcester Bosch.

What is the difference between R290 and R32 units?

R290 is the preferred gas to use in a heat pump or air conditioning units due to it having a lower GWP (Global Warming Potential). R290 is pure propane so has limitations on where it can be installed. You cannot install these units too close to air bricks or other openings in the building fabric such as windows. R290 units can often reach flow temperatures of 75C.

R32 has a higher GWP (although still much lower than most other refrigerants). These units are much more flexible on the installation location due to R32 being classed as only mildly flammable. R32 units often reach flow temperatures of 65C.

Efficiency – System design is the most important thing here, both refrigerants can obtain similar SCOP’s, the main factors for choosing which to go for would be the installation location, the maximum flow temperature required, and the consideration for GWP.

Want to keep cool this Summer?

Air conditioning is becoming more popular in the UK than ever, our F-GAS engineers can install air conditioning in your home with 0% VAT. Wether your looking for one room or the whole house, get in touch today for a free quotation!

Woman relaxing on a sofa, adjusting air conditioning unit on the wall, highlighting comfort and cooling solutions for summer.

Have You Thought about Underfloor Heating?

Our retro-fit solutions start from as little as 15mm Thick!

We can install your underfloor heating at 0% VAT if you have it carried out alongside your heat pump installation.

Boiler installation service by Cambs Heating featuring Gas Safe registered engineers conducting a home survey.

Need Aftercare Services for your Boiler?

Cambs Heating Offer a variety of services for your boiler and central heating system including repairs, servicing, Gas Safety inspections, System Flushing, Smart Control Upgrades, and more.