ASHP Installation in South West London

Air-to-air air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are a modern, eco-friendly alternative to traditional gas boilers. Unlike gas boilers, which burn gas to create heat, air source heat pumps extract heat from the outside air and transfer it indoors to warm your home.

They work a bit like an air conditioner in reverse, providing a steady, consistent flow of warmth rather than short bursts of high heat. This makes them highly efficient, reducing energy use and lowering your carbon footprint by up to 80%. In fact, the Energy Saving Trust tells us heat pumps are more than three times more efficient than a gas or oil boiler.

While gas boilers may still be quicker at producing instant hot water, heat pumps are designed for long-term efficiency (they can last up to 25 years), lower running costs, and reliable heating all year round, making them an excellent choice for homeowners in South West London who want to save money and future proof their home with renewable energy.

Installations typically start from £12,000, with the final cost depending on your home size, system type, cylinder, and any radiator or underfloor heating upgrades.

Homeowners in England benefit from 0% VAT on all air source heat pump installations, including any associated upgrades carried out as part of the same project. You may also be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which can provide up to £7,500 towards your installation costs, helping make switching to low-carbon heating more affordable.

The BUS grant provides £7,500 off the cost of installing low-carbon heating systems like air source heat pumps. It’s paid directly to the installer, so your installation cost is reduced upfront. Criteria for eligibility of the grant under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) are:

• You live in England and own the property where the heat pump will be installed.

• You use an MCS-accredited air source heat pump installer, such as Russell Haskins.

• You are replacing an old fossil-fuel or electric heating system with a renewable heating system, like an air source heat pump.

• The installation cannot be funded by more than one source of public funds.

• You are not replacing an existing heat pump or other renewable system.

• Your property has a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Any recommended insulation must be completed before applying.

• The installation capacity must be no more than 45 kWth (kilowatt-thermal).

• Self-build properties can qualify if they were built primarily by the first owner using their own resources or labour and have never been owned by a business.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is not means-tested, so it’s available to anyone who meets the above criteria.

When you contact us for an air source heat pump quote, we follow a straightforward process to make sure your new system is efficient, reliable, and suited to your home:

1. Initial Consultation & Free Survey: We visit your property to discuss your heating needs, assess your existing system, and explain how an air source heat pump can work for your home. Please provide your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) so we can identify if upgrades like insulation are required. If you don’t have an EPC, we recommend arranging one before installation to ensure the system is optimised.

2. System Design & Initial Quote: We provide a clear, fixed-price quote based on the size and configuration of your home, existing heating system, and any anticipated upgrades. If your EPC recommends improvements, it’s best to complete these before the installation, as they affect the heat loss calculation and heating system design. Eligible customers will see the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant reflected in the quote.

3. Heat Loss Calculation: Once you approve the quote and any necessary property upgrades are complete, we carry out a detailed heat loss calculation. This determines the exact heat output your home requires, room by room, ensuring your heat pump is perfectly sized for comfort and efficiency.

4. Preparation & Upgrades: If required, we upgrade radiators and pipework to ensure your heat pump performs efficiently and reliably.

5. Installation: Our team professionally installs the air source heat pump, cylinder, and any heating system upgrades in line with MCS standards and manufacturer guidance. The duration of the installation can vary from 3-4 days if no heating updates are needed to 6-7 days if we need to replace radiators and/or install underfloor heating.

6. Testing & Commissioning: We thoroughly test the system to ensure it operates safely, efficiently, and reliably.

7. Handover & Ongoing Support: We explain how your new system works, provide warranty details, and set up annual servicing reminders to keep your heating system running at peak performance.

When you consider installing an air source heat pump, a full heat loss calculation is a standard part of the home survey. It tells us exactly how much heat each room needs and ensures your new system is designed to keep your home warm efficiently. Based on the results, we may recommend:

• Larger or upgraded radiators: If any rooms need more heat output, we may increase radiator size to maintain consistent comfort.

• Updated pipework: Heat pumps rely on higher flow rates than boilers. If sections of pipework are too narrow, we’ll advise upgrading them.

• Improved insulation: Better insulation reduces heat loss and improves efficiency. If your EPC recommends loft or cavity insulation, this may also be required for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

After the survey and heat loss assessment, we’ll provide a clear, all-inclusive quote showing exactly what’s needed for the best performance.

Most homes are suitable, but we always assess your property during a free survey. Factors like insulation, available outdoor space for the unit, and radiator or underfloor heating upgrades may affect feasibility and efficiency. When an air source heat pump is not the best or most viable option, we can discuss alternatives like a gas boiler. 

No, unvented hot water cylinder cylinders are typically not compatible with air source heat pumps. Air source heat pumps work at lower temperatures than traditional boilers, so a new cylinder designed for heat pump use is required to ensure efficient heating and adequate hot water supply.

Generally, no. Most grants, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), are for switching from fossil fuel or electric heating to low-carbon systems. Replacing an existing ASHP usually does not qualify.