Everything you need to know before buying a heat pump: types, sizing, brands, costs, grants, installation process, and how to choose the right system for your Dorset property.
Extract heat from outdoor air, even in winter. Works down to -15°C. Accounts for 95% of residential heat pump installations in UK.
Extract heat from ground via buried pipes. More stable heat source than air. Higher efficiency but significantly higher cost.
Combination of air source heat pump + gas boiler backup. Heat pump handles most heating; boiler kicks in during coldest weather or high demand.
Undersized: Won't heat your home adequately in winter. Heat pump runs constantly trying to meet demand. Uncomfortable home, high running costs.
Oversized: Wastes money on unnecessarily large system. Short cycling reduces efficiency and lifespan. Higher installation cost for no benefit.
Accurate sizing requires room-by-room heat loss calculation considering:
Japanese engineering excellence. "Zubadan" cold-climate technology maintains 100% output at -15°C. Industry-leading reliability and performance.
View Mitsubishi Details →World's largest HVAC manufacturer. R-32 refrigerant for lower environmental impact. Advanced controls and smart home integration.
View Daikin Details →Excellent value-to-performance ratio. R32 refrigerant, dual rotary compressor. Best warranty in class. Popular choice for cost-conscious buyers.
View LG Details →German engineering quality. Strong brand recognition from boiler market. Excellent installer network and parts availability.
View Vaillant Details →Government grant available until March 2028. No income/property value restrictions. Simple application process handled by your installer.
Even the best heat pump will underperform if badly installed. Incorrect sizing, poor controls setup, and improper commissioning cause 60%+ of heat pump complaints. Choosing an experienced, qualified installer is more important than brand selection.
Required for BUS grant access and quality assurance. Verify on MCS website before booking.
Look for installers trained/accredited by Mitsubishi, Daikin, LG, etc. Brand expertise matters.
Ask for references, case studies, photos of previous installations. Minimum 50+ heat pump installs.
Should use software (e.g., HeatPunk, MCS Heat Pump Calculator) not rules-of-thumb.
£2M+ public liability, professional indemnity, warranty backed schemes (e.g., TrustMark).
Free home survey, discuss requirements, assess property suitability, answer questions.
Duration: 1-2 hours on-site
Room-by-room heat loss calculations, system sizing, radiator survey, detailed quote with all costs.
Duration: 3-7 days for quote preparation
We handle all paperwork and submit application. Wait for grant approval before installation.
Duration: 2-4 weeks for approval
Heat pump, cylinder, radiators (if needed), controls ordered. Installation date scheduled.
Duration: 1-4 weeks lead time (seasonal)
Full system installation, testing, commissioning, handover training.
Duration: 3-5 days on-site
Total Timeline: 9-16 weeks from initial contact to completed installation, depending on grant processing and equipment lead times.
Get expert advice, free heat loss survey, and detailed quote from Dorset's leading MCS-certified heat pump installer.