Heat Pump Installations

Heat pumps are a domestic energy source that replace traditional fossil fuel boilers, like gas boilers. The heat pump push comes as the government aims to install 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028 and up to 1.6 million a year by 2035.

The response has been mixed. Some households have seen benefits (from lowered heating bills to higher energy efficiency compared to a traditional boiler). Meanwhile, others have reported higher heating bills and disturbing noise levels from the heat pump unit.

So, what’s the current state of play?

At Saga Home Insurance, we’ve explored heat pump uptake rates to reveal how many, and where, pumps have been installed across the UK, where has shown the most interest in heat pumps online, and the impact of the increased grant.

We also submitted FOI requests to every council to investigate the number of noise complaints associated with heat pumps. Find out below:

Heat pump planning applications
UK heat pump installation rates
How the October BUS grant increase impacted installations in England and Wales
The changing cost of heat pumps in 2024
Noise complaints associated with heat pump units – FOI results
Brits’ interest towards heat pumps revealed

Heat pump uptake in the UK

Interactive map highlighting areas of the UK with the highest and lowest pump installation rates, Google searches, noise complaints and associated costs.

When you need planning permission

While you don’t usually need planning permission to install a heat pump, it is sometimes required – for example, when installing a second pump or if the unit will sit within one metre of your home’s boundary.

We scraped every council’s planning permission portal to find the number of applications that mention heat pump installation from 2015 to the present. Orkney in Scotland – one of the UK’s smallest council populations, with just over 10,000 inhabitants – received the highest number of applications, totalling 1,113.

Perhaps equally surprisingly, Westminster in London had the second-highest total, with 382 applications.

Westmorland and Furness, Walsall, Tamworth, Nottingham, Folkestone and Hythe, and Blaenau Gwent all received only one application in almost a decade.

The average number of applications across all councils was 47. However, it’s worth noting that we couldn’t gather data from 15 portals due to accessibility issues.

UK heat pump installation rates

We analysed MCS (the government-approved heat pump installation body) air source heat pump installations from March 2019 to March 2024 and found that Buckinghamshire and St Helens, Merseyside, had the highest rates, both over 10,000.

Installations dropped steeply after this, with Cornwall totalling 4,853 installations – the third-highest number of air source heat pump installations. Northern Ireland ranked lowly, with eight of its local authorities taking the bottom 10.

Rank	Local council	Pump type	Total no. installations (March 19 - March 24)	Total no. installations per 10,000 households	YoY avg. % change in installation rate (March 19 - March 24)
1	Bucks.	Air source	111,160	5,046	36%
2	St Helens	Air source	105,781	130,594	38%
3	Bucks.	Ground source	15,505	704	10%
4	St Helens	Ground source	8,447	10,428	18%
5	Cornwall	Air source	4,853	1,937	26%

Ground source heat pump installations over the same timeframe tell a similar story. Buckinghamshire and St Helens took the top positions with 15,505 and 8,447 installations, respectively.

However, most local authorities haven’t seen many ground source installations. This could be due to the invasive nature of installing these pumps.

45 authorities haven’t had any installations, 20 had one, and 63 had between two and five. When combined, this accounts for just over a third of all UK local authority’s installation rates (36%).

On average, 1,002 air source and 97 ground source heat pumps were installed across the UK per local authority.

Air source heat pump uptake has grown in major cities

When comparing the average change (increase or decrease) in installations across the five-year period, Manchester saw the biggest increase in air and ground source heat pumps, growing 488% and 1,695% year on year respectively.

Bolton also saw a significant 1,563% increase in air source pump installations year on year.

Overall, some of the most significant increases in air source installation rates occurred in major cities, as Bolton, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Glasgow all appeared in the top 10. However, 32 local authorities saw declines, mainly for ground source installations, apart from two.

King’s Lynn and West Norfolk fell the most by 22% year on year, while the following nine authorities saw a 20% year-on-year decline (including Chesterfield, Reading, Thurrock, and Brent).

Heat pump installations over the past year

The number of pumps installed between March 2023 and March 2024 paints a similar picture to the overall figures – Buckinghamshire and St Helens installed significantly more pumps than other local authorities. Beyond this, the figures around ground source pumps were relatively low.

On average, 274 air source and 11 ground source heat pumps were installed over the past year per local council.

Torbay installed all its ground source heat pumps in this timeframe, resulting in a 1,300% increase in installations compared to the previous year.

As many local authorities previously installed very small numbers of ground source pumps, any slight increases produced significant growth percentages. In some cases, no ground source pumps were installed the previous year.

Figures around air source pumps were more relative. Burnley, Waltham Forest, and Neath Port Talbot saw the biggest spikes of 339%+. Eight local authorities saw a 100% decline in installations. However, most had single-figure installation rates overall.

How the October BUS grant increase impacted installations in England and Wales

Rank	Local council	Pump type	% change in installations since BUS grant increase (Oct 23 - March 24 vs 24-month previous avg.)
1	North Port Talbot	Air source	513%
2	Broxbourne	Air source	471%
3	Burnley	Air source	450%
4	Runnymede	Ground source	400%
5	Waltham Forest	Air source	301%

In England and Wales, the rise of the BUS grant from £5,000 to up to £7,500 was intended to increase the rate at which people were installing heat pumps into their homes. In many cases, it worked.

On average, 55% more air source heat pumps were installed after the announcement in October 2023 until March 2024 compared to the previous two-year average.

244 English and Welsh authorities saw a positive increase ranging from 513% more air source pumps (Neath Port Talbot) to 1% more (Three Rivers in Hertfordshire and South Gloucestershire). However, 72 saw a decline ranging from -100% to -1%.

Conversely, there was a 43% average decline in ground source installations after the announcement. However, ground source figures were more volatile because of the overall low installation rates, creating large disparities when analysing increases and decreases.

Interestingly, Buckinghamshire, which came out top overall for ground source installations (15,505 in total since March 2019), saw a 24% drop after the grant increase. St Helens saw a 60% decline. However, both saw increases in air source installations.

How we did it

We analysed the cost of air source pumps in each local authority in 2021 (12-month average) and 2024 (three-month average) to observe changes. We couldn’t compare 13 local authorities in our research, as there wasn’t an average figure for one or both years.

Rank	Local council	Avg. installation cost 2024*
Highest installation cost
1	Westminster	£40,389
2	South Tyneside	£29,500
3	Telford and Wrekin	£24,063
4	Conwy	£23,490
5	Bedford	£21,171
Lowest installation cost
1	Oadby & Wigston	£5,000
2	Bury	£5,855
3	Blackpool	£6,479
4	Luton	£6,800
5	Isle of Wight	£6,995

*(3-month average)

One of the biggest barriers to heat pump adoption can be the upfront cost. Westminster saw the biggest cost increase. On average, an air source heat pump cost £10,000 in 2021, increasing by 304% to over £40,000 in 2024.

Telford, Richmond Upon Thames, and Greenwich all saw average costs increase by over 200% to £24,063, £15,692, and £17,162, respectively. On average, the overall cost grew by 21% across the UK. Currently, an air source heat pump costs more than £12,000 in 224 local authorities.

However, some authorities saw a decrease in cost. Oadby and Wigston saw a 64% drop – heat pumps here now cost an average of £5,000 compared to almost £14,000 in 2021. Overall, 118 local authorities saw a decline.

Rules and regulations around heat pump noise pollution

MCS regulations say that heat pumps shouldn’t generate noise above 42 decibels (dB) or be installed within one metre of a neighbour’s door or window.

For perspective, normal breathing generates 10 dB, a refrigerator generates 50 dB, and a washing machine generates 70 dB. A contractor should calculate the noise pollution before installation and these conditions should be observed. Otherwise, planning permission may be necessary.

A heat pump’s noise level also depends on how hard the unit is working, so it may be quieter during summer but louder in winter.

Last year, an acoustic experts’ noise review shared with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) found that none of the top five heat pump manufacturers produced heat pumps under 42 dB.

Rank	Local council	Total no. noise complaints regarding all heat pumps to local councils
1	Buckinghamshire	<28
2	Wandsworth	23
3	Guildford	13
4	North Yorkshire	12
5	South Norfolk	12

Some Brits who have installed heat pumps, or are neighbours to one, complain about their noise level. We submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to each council, requesting the total number of noise complaints associated with all types of heat pumps on record.

94 councils rejected or couldn’t fulfil the request, largely because the categories of their complaint logs weren’t granular enough to determine if heat pumps were the cause of the complaint. 24 councils didn’t respond.

Of those that did respond, 124 councils said they had zero noise complaints and 42 listed just one complaint. Buckinghamshire had the highest number of complaints. Although FOI officers couldn’t provide a concrete figure, they suggested there were no more than 28 complaints between 2020 and 2023 for all heat pump types.

North Yorkshire and Cornwall, which featured as top installers, had 12 and 10 complaints, respectively. St Helens didn’t respond.

How we did it

We collated the number of Google searches for the terms heat pumps, best heat pumps, heat pump grant, and heat pump cost between April 2020 and March 2024. We analysed searches on a local basis in the most relevant geographical location retrievable by Google (local council locations don’t always align with the locations Google collects search data).

We analysed nationwide online search interest in heat pumps to assess the impact of the increased BUS grant. Stratford-upon-Avon had the biggest peak in interest, as Google searches grew by 258% for all terms after the increase.

London saw some of the biggest spikes as interest across the capital grew by 117%. On average, search interest increased by 69% across England and Wales after the grant announcement.

Interest dipped in some areas, including the Isle of Anglesey and Ceredigion, both in Wales, which saw a 100% decline. However, 300 local authorities experienced increased interest overall.

What is a heat pump and why do we have them?

Heat pumps are home heating systems powered by electricity. They’re generally suitable for all types of homes and are designed to be more environmentally friendly than traditional heating systems, such as gas or oil boilers.

However, they are less effective in poorly insulated homes, as the pump must work harder to provide heat, reducing its energy and cost efficiency.

Heat pumps work by compressing and intensifying heat energy from an external source, like the air outside (even when it’s cold). This energy transfers into your home and heats the radiators, underfloor heating, and water.

An illustration of the interior of a house showing how a heat pump works

When working at an optimal level, heat pumps generate more energy than they use, which is why they’re an energy-efficient – and low-carbon – heating system.

There are three main types of heat pumps:

Air source – these take heat from the air. They are the most common type and generally the easiest to install.
Ground source – these take heat from the ground. They are less common and more invasive to install.
Water source – these take heat from water sources like rivers and lakes. They require a nearby body of water.

The technology that air pumps use already exists in household appliances like air conditioning units, fridges, and freezers. Some heat pumps also cool homes down during hot weather.

Heating homes in the UK accounts for 18% of our greenhouse gas emissions, and the government aims to phase out traditional heating systems to reach its carbon net zero target by 2050. After 2035, gas boilers won’t be installed in new homes.

How much is a heat pump?

The cost of a heat pump can vary depending on the size and type of property, as well as the type of pump.

An air source heat pump could cost between £2,500 and £10,000.
A water source heat pump could cost between £6,000 and £13,000.
A ground source heat pump could cost between £17,000 and £50,000.

The boiler upgrade scheme (BUS) in England and Wales offers a grant of up to £7,500 until 2027 when buying a heat pump. There are now fewer rules and requirements around receiving the grant.

For example, you no longer need to install cavity wall installation in your home to be eligible. However, if your home is poorly insulated, the pump will have to work harder to heat your home, making it less energy- and cost-efficient.

Scotland has a similar grant scheme, the Home Energy Scotland Scheme, offering £7,500 or up to £9,000 for rural properties. Northern Ireland currently doesn’t offer a grant.

As reported in April, England and Wales’s scheme paid out £88.8 million in 2023/24 against a budget of £150 million, and the average grant totalled £5,819.

How do I know what heat pump is right for me?

You can use this online tool which indicates whether a heat pump is appropriate for your home.

You’ll need to provide some details, including when your home was built and information about its insulation. However, an installer should always perform an in-person assessment to check your home’s viability for tailored advice.

How to get a heat pump/apply for the boiler upgrade scheme

To find an installer, refer to the list of certified contractors on the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) website.

You must use an MCS-certified installer to access the BUS grant, as they’re qualified to install heat pumps. They’ll be able to arrange the BUS application for you. It’s worth getting quotes from three different contractors to compare costs.

Methodology

We conducted a comprehensive analysis into heat pump uptake and interest across the UK.

We scraped all 360 local council planning permission portals, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) database, and Google Search data (taken from Google Keyword Planner).

To find the total number of planning permission applications for heat pumps, we scraped all planning permission applications for relevant key words from 2015 to present – however 15 council portals were inaccessible. We couldn’t categorise applications by the type of pump.

To analyse installation rates and uptake, we examined the MCS database for air source and ground source installations. We extracted this data and established year on year comparisons across various timeframes. This included after the October 2023 BUS grant increase by analysing installations from October 2023 to March 2024 against the previous two-year average.

To understand the total number of installations per 10,000 households, we gathered household data from the England and Wales 2021 Census, Northern Ireland’s 2022 Census, and Scotland’s 2022 Census. The number of households per council were divided by the number of installations and then multiplied by 10,000.

We also extracted the cost of air source heat pump installations from the MCS database, allowing us to draw comparisons between the average 12-month cost in 2021 and the average three-month cost in 2024.

Please note that the data from the MCS database was exported 20th March 2024. There may be installations from March that are not covered in the dataset.

To gauge online interest towards heat pumps, we looked at the volume of searches for “heat pump”, “best heat pumps”, “heat pump cost” and “heat pump grant” in Google Keyword Planner between April 2020 to March 2024.

To understand how the BUS grant increase impacted interest online, we compared the average search volume from October 2023 to March 2024 against the previous two-year average.

Some council areas did not have search data available for their locality. In this case, we looked at the most relevant geographical area with available search data. However, search data was still unretrievable for two council areas – Isle of Scilly and Argyll and Bute.

To establish noise complaints around heat pumps, we submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to all councils. We requested the number of noise complaints associated with heat pumps from 2015 to the most recent year available, including the type of pump and the outcome. Some councils didn’t hold all this information, and instead sent what they did have available. We only included FOI responses received by 01/05/24 – any responses received after are not reflected. All credit goes to the respective councils. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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