Quick Heat Pump Suitability Checklist
Before we go into details, here is a short checklist that covers the main things that decide whether a heat pump is a good fit for your home. You do not need to tick every single box.
Current Heating Fuel
Strong case for oil/LPG/electric. Gas homes can work but need careful design and tariff choice.
Insulation & Heat Loss
Loft insulation and reasonably draught-free. Perfect insulation not required.
Radiators & Emitters
Some radiator upgrades likely needed. Heat pumps work best with larger emitters.
Outdoor Space & Noise
Space for a slim fridge-sized unit, not under bedroom windows or very close to neighbours.
Electricity Supply
Reasonably modern consumer unit with spare capacity. Installer will assess DNO requirements.
If most of your answers are green or amber rather than bright red, your home is probably a realistic candidate for a heat pump.
How Your Current Fuel Affects Heat Pump Suitability
Your current heating fuel and tariff have a huge impact on whether a heat pump makes financial sense, and how strong the case is.
Heat Pump Suitability by Current Fuel
🔥 Homes on Mains Gas
If you have a typical gas boiler on a standard variable tariff:
- Gas is still cheaper per kWh than standard electricity
- A heat pump needs a seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of roughly 3 or better to compete on running cost at standard tariffs
- That is achievable in many homes, but design quality, controls and insulation become critical
The main reasons gas homes switch to heat pumps are:
- Future-proofing against volatile gas prices
- Comfort from more even, stable heat
- Lower carbon emissions
- Using smart electricity tariffs, which can tilt the maths in favour of the heat pump
Make sure you: Understand your current annual gas use in kWh and use the Heat Pump Radar calculator to see how a heat pump might affect your annual bills in your specific region.
🛢️ Homes on Oil or LPG
If you currently heat with oil or LPG:
- Your unit cost per kWh is usually significantly higher than mains gas
- Oil and LPG prices have been very volatile
- A heat pump that is correctly sized and commissioned can often reduce your annual heating cost quite substantially
This is where the financial case for heat pumps is often strongest. The BUS grant is the same, but the baseline you are starting from is more expensive.
⚡ Homes on Direct Electric or Storage Heaters
If you currently have direct electric panel heaters, old night storage heaters or even plug-in heaters:
- Heat pumps are often a very strong upgrade on running cost
- You swap many kWh of resistive heat for fewer kWh of high-efficiency heat
- Smart or off-peak tariffs can make the numbers even more attractive
In flats and small homes on direct electric, the main challenges are usually space for the outdoor unit, permissions and pipework rather than the energy maths.
Property Type and Age: Does an Old House Rule Out a Heat Pump?
One of the most common myths about heat pumps in the UK is that they only work in new builds. In reality, there is no magical cut-off year where homes suddenly become suitable.
🏗️ New Builds and Modern Homes (roughly 1990s onwards)
Typical characteristics:
- Reasonable or good insulation as standard
- Double glazing throughout
- Smaller heat demand per square metre
- Underfloor heating in some properties
These homes are often excellent candidates for heat pumps. The main questions are:
- Is the existing system designed for low flow temperatures
- Are the radiators already generous for the rooms
In many modern homes, only light tweaks are needed.
🏘️ Post-War Semis and 1960s to 1980s Homes
These make up a large share of UK housing and are very common on the Heat Pump Radar postcode map.
Typical characteristics:
- Cavity walls in many properties, which may or may not already be filled
- Loft insulation that may need topping up
- A mix of newer and original windows
In these homes, heat pumps can work very well if:
- Loft insulation is brought up to a sensible level
- Any obvious draughts are sealed
- Radiators are upsized in key rooms that currently rely on very small panels
🏛️ Pre-War Terraces, Stone Cottages and Older Homes
These homes are often where myths about heat pumps get repeated. They can absolutely work, but they are more sensitive to heat loss.
Typical characteristics:
- Solid walls rather than cavities
- Higher air leakage and draughts
- Mixed or single glazing in some cases
In these homes, it is especially important to:
- Be realistic about insulation improvements you are willing to make
- Accept that some radiator upgrades are likely
- Work with an installer who actually calculates heat loss room by room
A heat pump is still possible, but the design has less margin for error.
🏢 Flats and Maisonettes
Flats raise special questions about outdoor space and permissions.
Key considerations:
- Where can the outdoor unit go without causing noise problems for you or neighbours
- Who controls the building fabric and pipework (freeholder, management company)
- How are other flats heated, and will a single heat pump be acceptable in that context
If you live on direct electric or storage heaters in a flat, it may still be possible to install a heat pump, particularly for ground-floor or top-floor units with access to suitable outdoor space. In other cases, fabric improvements and alternative upgrades may be more realistic.
Do I Need EPC C or Extra Insulation to Get the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Grant?
Previously, many homeowners were told that they had to reach a certain Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standard and add loft or cavity wall insulation before they could receive a grant. That is no longer the case for new applications.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme Rules: Then vs Now
(Before May 2024)
(May 2024 onwards)
You still need a valid EPC, but insulation is now optional – not mandatory – for the grant.
💡 Why Insulation Still Matters in Real Life
Even though the grant rules have relaxed, good insulation still helps you to:
- Reduce the overall heat demand of your home
- Run your heat pump at lower, more efficient flow temperatures
- Improve comfort by reducing cold spots and draughts
In practice, many of the most comfortable and cost-effective heat pump installations still combine:
- Sensible, affordable insulation upgrades where they are realistic
- A correctly sized heat pump and emitters
- Good controls and settings for low-temperature operation
On Heat Pump Radar, your postcode pages and calculator take account of typical EPC levels in your area when estimating savings. That helps you see what kind of running costs you might expect in a typical home like yours.
You can read more about how the grant works in detail in the dedicated Boiler Upgrade Scheme guide.
Common Worries About Heat Pump Suitability
(And How to Think About Them)
Many of the worries people have about heat pumps fall into a few common themes. Here is how to think about the most important ones.
❓ “My radiators are too small”
In a high number of homes, some radiators will need upgrading when you install a heat pump. That should not be a surprise or a sign that your home is unsuitable.
A good installer will:
- Calculate the heat loss room by room
- Specify the radiator size needed at a lower flow temperature
- Tell you clearly which radiators need to change and which are fine
In some cases, you can focus upgrades on the main living spaces and accept slightly cooler temperatures in less important rooms.
❓ “My home is old and a bit leaky”
Most UK homes are not perfectly insulated. That is true for gas boilers as well.
For a heat pump, you want to:
- Fix the easy wins first (loft insulation, draught-proofing, blocking obvious gaps)
- Avoid spending money on very costly measures unless they bring clear benefits
An older home with reasonable, not perfect insulation can still be a good candidate if the system is designed properly and your expectations are realistic.
❓ “I do not have a big garden”
You do not need a large garden for an air-source heat pump.
In many cases you only need:
- A small section of wall or a slab at ground level
- Enough clearance in front of the unit for airflow
- A location that respects local noise and planning guidance
Flats and terraced homes can be more challenging, but many have found workable solutions with careful siting.
❓ “I am worried I will be cold”
This is often the most emotional barrier.
A properly sized and commissioned heat pump will keep you warm. In fact, many heat pump owners report that their homes feel more evenly warm than with a boiler, because the system runs gently for longer rather than blasting on and off.
The risk of being cold usually comes from:
- Poor design or incorrect sizing
- Installers treating a heat pump like a direct swap for a boiler without rethinking the system
This is why it is important to choose an installer who can explain their calculations and design choices clearly.
Three Realistic Example Homes
The examples below are simplified, but they give you a feel for how suitability can differ by home type and fuel. They are not quotes, and your exact figures will depend on tariffs, design and insulation.
These examples show how suitability depends on your starting point, not just your property type. The financial case is strongest when moving away from expensive fuels like oil, LPG or direct electric.
How to Pre-Qualify Your Home in Five Minutes with Heat Pump Radar
You do not have to answer all of these questions alone or guess the numbers. Heat Pump Radar already uses official UK data behind the scenes for your area.
Check Your Postcode
Visit Heat Pump Radar and enter your postcode.
On your postcode page you will see:
- Typical heat pump installation cost range in your area
- Estimated running cost change compared with your current fuel
- Payback periods based on regional tariffs and usage
Personalise the Numbers with Your Bill
Use the on-page heat pump calculator to plug in your own:
- Current annual usage or monthly direct debit
- Exact tariff if you know it
This tightens the estimates from “typical” to “your home”.
Understand How the Grant Affects Your Numbers
Read the Boiler Upgrade Scheme guide to see:
- Whether your property is likely to qualify
- How the £7,500 grant will be applied to your quote
- What types of systems are eligible
Then return to your postcode page and view the costs in light of the grant. For many homes, the grant covers a large share of the heat pump hardware itself.
List Your Likely Upgrades
From this guide and your own knowledge of your home, list:
- Any radiators that you know are small for their rooms
- Obvious insulation gaps you are willing to fix
- Possible locations for the outdoor unit
This prepares you for a much more productive conversation with an installer, and helps you avoid being surprised by upgrade suggestions.
Get a Quote from a Trusted Installer
If your numbers look promising, you can request a quote from our trusted heat pump partner Blue Ape Renewables (MCS certified, nationwide installer).
When speaking with installers, make sure to ask:
- How they calculate heat loss and size the system
- How the £7,500 grant is applied to your quote
- What upgrades are included and why they’re needed
You can use your Heat Pump Radar postcode page and calculator outputs as a sanity check when you review quotes.
If you prefer to shop around, you can also use the official MCS installer search to find other certified installers near you.
Ready to see what a heat pump could cost and save in your area?
Check Your Postcode NowFAQs: Heat Pump Suitability in the UK
Below are short, direct answers to some of the most common questions about heat pump suitability. These can stand alone in search results and help people scanning for a quick answer.
Is my home suitable for a heat pump if I am on mains gas?
Yes, many homes on mains gas are suitable for heat pumps. The financial case is usually tighter than for oil or direct electric, so design quality and tariff choice matter more. A good heat pump can match or beat the running cost of a modern gas boiler in many on-gas homes while cutting emissions.
Can I get the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant if my loft or cavity walls are not insulated?
Yes. Current Boiler Upgrade Scheme rules do not require you to install loft or cavity wall insulation to receive the grant. You still need a valid EPC, and sensible insulation upgrades remain strongly recommended for comfort and running cost reasons.
Will I need to replace all my radiators for a heat pump?
Not necessarily. Some radiators, especially in key living spaces, are likely to need upgrading so that they can deliver enough heat at lower flow temperatures. Others may already be large enough. A room-by-room heat loss calculation will tell you exactly which ones need to change.
Can you fit a heat pump in an old stone cottage or Victorian terrace?
Yes, you often can. Older homes tend to have higher heat loss, so insulation and radiator sizing matter more. You may need more upgrades than in a modern home, and it is important to work with an installer who understands older buildings. Many owners of older homes have successful heat pumps, but the margin for design error is smaller.
Can a flat or maisonette have a heat pump?
Sometimes, yes. The key issues are outdoor space for the unit, noise for neighbours and permissions from the freeholder or management company. Ground-floor and top-floor flats with access to outdoor space tend to be the easiest. In other cases, different upgrades may be more realistic.
Will I be cold with a heat pump in winter?
A correctly sized and commissioned heat pump will keep your home warm in a UK winter. Comfort problems usually come from systems that are too small, run at unnecessarily low temperatures or were installed without proper design. Many heat pump owners find their homes feel more evenly warm than with a boiler.
How can Heat Pump Radar help me decide?
Heat Pump Radar combines official data on energy prices, housing and climate to give postcode-level estimates of costs, savings and payback. You can:
- See typical costs and savings for your area
- Use the heat pump calculator to personalise the figures to your bill
- Read the Why Heat Pumps guide and Boiler Upgrade Scheme guide to understand the technology and grants
Next Steps
If this guide suggests that your home may be suitable for a heat pump, your best next steps are:
With a clearer sense of suitability, costs and grants, you will be in a much stronger position to speak to installers and make an informed decision that suits your home and budget.