Warm homes plan boosts air-to-air heat pump installations

If you’re one of the thousands of people who are planning to modernise your home heating system, then this news should pump you up!

Homeowners looking to invest in clean home energy solutions get a big boost this May when the government relaxes installation rules under their Warm Homes Plan.

The changes include fewer restrictions around where external heat pump equipment can be installed, along with further financial incentives and more flexible support.

This will make it easier for people to switch from a gas boiler to far more efficient technology, such as air-to-air heat pumps (air conditioning) that can provide heating, cooling and hot water.

Let’s look at some of the changes that come into effect on 29th May 2025 and how they will give homeowners and installers more flexibility and fewer restrictions and delays.

New heat pump boundary rule

As installers, we’re often left scratching our heads about rules that hinder progress – this boundary rule is a perfect example. The original rule required heat pumps to be placed at least one metre from property boundaries. Effective 29 May 2025, these restrictions are changed, allowing:

  • Installation of heat pumps within one metre of the property boundary
  • An increase in the permissible unit size from 0.6m³ to 1.5m³
  • Installation of up to two units for detached homes.

These changes allow more households in England to install an air source heat pump without the need to submit a planning application.

More support for air-to-air heat pumps

One specific change to The Warm Homes Plan is that it now explicitly supports air-to-air heat pumps that provide home heating and cooling.

Air-to-air heat pumps are low-carbon solutions that are highly efficient. They provide low-energy, year-round climate comfort which can be tailored to individual rooms and personal needs.

In addition to cooling and heating, systems also provide hot water – an example is the Multi+ System from Daikin.

Easier access to gas boiler upgrade funding

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) has already helped thousands of homeowners in England and Wales to replace their old boilers with green heat pump technology with the help of a grant of £7,500. The Scheme is expected to receive a further £30 million of funding this year to help more households switch to heat pump technology.

Mandatory insulation rule removed!

To further boost grant applications, homeowners no longer have to install cavity wall or loft insulation to use the BUS scheme.

Removing mandatory cavity wall and loft insulation requirements could reduce the costs associated with installing a heat pump on a semi-detached property by around £2,500. This sensible change makes it easier for homeowners to switch from gas boilers to modern technology, which will reduce carbon emissions and long-term energy bills.

The benefits of air-to-air heat pump technology

Lower environmental impact

Switching to heat pump technology can feel daunting, but in reality, it’s easy.

Heat pumps reduce carbon emissions by up to 70% compared to gas boilers, and with helpful grants and fewer planning restrictions, why wait?

Better home comfort

Air-to-air heat pumps deliver low-energy heating and cooling that can be controlled via indoor or remote devices. Furthermore, with temperatures fluctuating throughout the year, heat pumps can quickly adjust to changes to provide constant comfort.

Improved air quality

In addition to comfort cooling, heating, and hot water on tap (pun intended!), air conditioning systems clean and purify indoor air, which can improve well-being and help to reduce allergy symptoms.

Loop Air Conditioning installs air-to-air heat pump technology in homes and businesses across Herts, Beds and Bucks.

We’re here to answer all of your questions and help you create a greener, cleaner home for you and your family. Just fill out the form below and one of our engineers will be in touch.

 

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