Air Source Heat Pump Installation in Leicester
Thinking of swapping your gas boiler, oil boiler or storage heaters for a heat pump? Here's what installation involves in a typical Leicester home, what it costs, and the help available — including free council funding for some households.
Last reviewed: 2 October 2026
-
£7,500 grant
for any eligible homeowner or landlord; free upgrades for some lower-income households through the council.
-
Terraces suit them
shared walls cut heat loss, and most back yards have room for the outdoor unit.
-
3–5 days
on site for a typical terrace or semi.
Is a heat pump right for your home?
Almost certainly, if your home can fit an outdoor unit and a hot water cylinder. Leicester's Victorian red-brick terraces, interwar semis and post-war estate homes all convert well. The main jobs are larger radiators in the coldest rooms, a cylinder if you have a combi, and careful siting of the outdoor unit in what's often a narrow back yard.
If you have electric storage heaters, a heat pump can cut your heating bills by over £1,000 a year, though it means installing radiators and pipework too.
What happens, step by step
-
Check for free funding
If your household income is under £36,000 and your EPC is D to G, look at Leicester City Council's Warm Homes: Local Grant first.
-
Survey
Two to three hours measuring rooms and checking walls, floors, radiators, pipework (including microbore), electrics and the back yard.
-
Quote
A written design with heat pump size, radiator list, cylinder, unit position and noise calculation, with the £7,500 grant deducted.
-
Grant application
Your installer applies to Ofgem; you confirm the email; a voucher is issued.
-
Installation
Three to five days on site.
-
Handover
Commissioning, MCS certificate and a walk-through of the controls.
Our before, during and after checklist helps you prepare.
What it costs
For most Leicester terraces and semis, expect around £10,000–£12,000 before the grant and roughly £3,000–£4,000 after it. Large Stoneygate villas cost more. Homes replacing oil or LPG get £9,000 on applications from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Build your own figure with budgeting for a heat pump in Leicester, or see costs and grants.
Leicester details that matter
| Factor | What it means for your installation |
|---|---|
| Narrow back yards | The unit must pass a 37 dB noise test at your neighbour's window; position and model matter. |
| Hard water (Severn Trent) | A heat pump-rated cylinder coil, and possibly a scale reducer. |
| Microbore pipework | Common from 1970s–80s upgrades; some may need replacing. |
| Cellars | A dry cellar can house the cylinder and free up upstairs space. |
| 25 conservation areas | Front-facing units need planning permission; rear units usually don't. |
| East Midlands winters | Slightly colder design temperature than the South West; sizing must reflect it. |
Choosing an installer
Use an MCS-certified installer who belongs to a consumer code and designs from a proper survey. Be wary of cold callers offering 'free' heat pumps; genuine free schemes run through the council. Common brands in Leicester:
See finding a trustworthy installer for ten questions to ask.
- Daikin Altherma
- Vaillant aroTHERM plus
- Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan
- Samsung EHS Mono
- Worcester Bosch
- Grant Aerona
Installation FAQs
Will a heat pump work in my Victorian terrace?
Yes. Terraces are among the most common conversions. Expect a few larger radiators and a cylinder.
Where will the outdoor unit go?
Usually in the back yard, against the rear wall or at the end of the yard, positioned to pass the noise test at your neighbour's window.
What if I have storage heaters?
A heat pump can still be fitted, but radiators and pipework need installing too, which adds cost and time. Running cost savings are large.
Do I need planning permission?
Usually not. You might if your home is listed or in a conservation area with the unit facing the road.
Can I get a heat pump free?
Possibly, through Leicester City Council's Warm Homes: Local Grant, if your household income is under £36,000 and your home is rated EPC D to G.
How long will it last?
Typically 15–20 years with an annual service.
Get a heat pump installation quote in Leicester
Tell us about your home and current heating. A local heat pump installer from our network will be in touch to arrange a survey.