- Area
- Greater London
- Postcode district
- SW12
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- From £10,650 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Air source heat pump installation for Balham homes
Every property in Balham is different, so the design starts from measurements rather than a rule of thumb. That keeps the system the right size and the running costs predictable.
Installers working in Balham plan the order of work so heating and hot water are off for as short a time as practical. In Balham, cylinder space is planned with you, often in an airing cupboard, utility room or garage.
We survey your home, design a heat pump system around its real heat loss, and manage the installation from the first visit to the MCS certificate.
- Homes replacing a gas, oil, LPG or electric heating system
- Owners who want one contract covering design, fitting and paperwork
- Owners and landlords in England and Wales eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
What's included
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme application in England and Wales where eligible
- MCS registration and certificate, plus network operator notification
- Radiator and pipework changes where the design needs them
- Outdoor unit, hot water cylinder and weather compensation controls
- Removal of the old boiler or heaters
Many homes in Balham have a side passage or rear garden with room for an outdoor unit, and the survey checks airflow and distance from neighbouring windows.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in Balham can use the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which takes £7,500 off the cost of an air source heat pump when it replaces fossil-fuel or electric heating. Replacing oil or LPG heating qualifies for £9,000 for installations from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027, and air-to-air systems for £2,500. The MCS-certified installer named in your quote applies for the grant and deducts it from the price.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK until 31 March 2027. In England most houses can have an air source heat pump under permitted development, provided the unit meets the MCS noise and siting standards; the old 1 m boundary limit was removed on 29 May 2025. We flag listed buildings, flats and sensitive conservation-area positions at survey.
What to budget for air source heat pump installation in Balham
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Greater London, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Balham can need quite different radiators and pipework.
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price | After £7,500 grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £10,650–£14,000 | £3,150–£6,500 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £11,750–£15,100 | £4,250–£7,600 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £13,450–£17,350 | £5,950–£9,850 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £15,700–£20,150 | £8,200–£12,650 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £18,500–£25,200 | £11,000–£17,700 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning.
Designing for Balham's winters
On the shortest day Balham gets about 7 hours 50 minutes of daylight, and the winter sun reaches only around 15° above the horizon at noon. Winters this far south are milder than in most of the UK, which helps a heat pump run at low flow temperatures for much of the season.
What happens after you enquire in Balham?
- Send your postcode and a few details, or use the guide price tool.
- A surveyor visits your Balham home, measures every room and checks where the outdoor unit can go.
- You receive a heat loss design and a fixed written quote, with any grant shown where it applies.
- Installers fit the unit, cylinder and any radiator changes, typically over 2–4 days on site.
- The system is commissioned, set up with weather compensation and handed over with the paperwork.
Air source heat pump installation in Balham: questions
How long does installation take in Balham?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for a Balham home states the expected time.
How soon can you survey a home in Balham?
Survey dates depend on how busy installers are in Greater London. We offer the next available dates when you enquire and confirm them in writing.
What size heat pump does a Balham home need?
It depends on the heat loss, not the postcode. As a rough guide, a 3 bedroom semi often needs 6–9 kW, but the room-by-room survey sets the actual size for your Balham home.
How long does an air source heat pump installation take?
A typical home installation takes 2–4 days on site. It takes longer if several radiators are being replaced, pipework is being upgraded or the cylinder is going in a new location. Your quote sets out the expected programme, including when you will be without heating and hot water. Timings are typical rather than fixed, because older homes sometimes reveal surprises once floorboards are lifted.
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump?
Not always; many homes keep most of their radiators and change only a few. Because a heat pump runs at a lower water temperature than a boiler, each radiator gives out less heat, so the survey checks every room against its heat loss. Rooms where the existing radiator falls short get a larger one, with a guide price of £250–£450 each, installed and including VAT.