- Area
- Greater London
- Postcode district
- N1
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- From £10,650 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Air source heat pump installation in Islington: what to expect
The question for an Islington home is rarely whether a heat pump can work, but what needs to change to make it work well: radiator sizes, pipework, controls and where the unit goes.
For older properties in Islington, the heat loss calculation looks closely at solid walls, single glazing and draughts before any unit is sized. Homeowners across Greater London can arrange a survey in Islington for a room-by-room design and a written quote before committing to anything.
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.
- Owners who want one contract covering design, fitting and paperwork
- Houses with reasonable insulation, or a plan to improve it
- Homes replacing a gas, oil, LPG or electric heating system
What's included
- Radiator and pipework changes where the design needs them
- Free home survey and room-by-room heat loss calculation
- Removal of the old boiler or heaters
- Outdoor unit, hot water cylinder and weather compensation controls
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme application in England and Wales where eligible
Installers working in Islington plan the order of work so heating and hot water are off for as short a time as practical.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
In England the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source heat pump (£9,000 if it replaces oil or LPG, from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027), and since 28 April 2026 a valid EPC is no longer needed. The grant is applied for by the MCS-certified installer and shown as a deduction on your Islington quote.
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.
Guide prices for air source heat pump installation in Islington
Guide prices for Islington and the rest of Greater London are shown below, installed and inc VAT. We publish ranges rather than a single figure because design details move the price, and the written quote after survey fixes it.
| 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.
Winter daylight and heating in Islington
On the shortest day Islington gets about 7 hours 49 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.
The steps for air source heat pump installation in Islington
- Send your postcode and a few details, or use the guide price tool.
- A surveyor visits your Islington 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 Islington: questions
Where would the outdoor unit go on an Islington house?
Usually at the side or rear, on a level base with space around it for airflow and servicing, away from bedroom windows where possible. The surveyor checks positions at your Islington home.
How long does installation take in Islington?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for an Islington home states the expected time.
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump in Islington?
Often some, not all. Heat pumps run best at lower water temperatures, so rooms with small radiators may need larger ones. The survey of your Islington home gives a room-by-room list.
Will an air source heat pump be noisy?
Heat pumps are designed to run quietly, but where the unit sits makes a real difference. The survey looks for a position away from bedroom windows and neighbours, with clear airflow, and the installation must pass the MCS noise assessment. The fan is most noticeable on very cold days when the unit works hardest, and a little vapour during the periodic defrost is normal.
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.