- Area
- Leicestershire
- Postcode district
- LE1
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- From £9,500 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Air source heat pump installation in Leicester: what to expect
Homes around Leicester range from older terraces to newer estates, and each needs a different design. That is why we survey before we quote.
Many homes in Leicester have a side passage or rear garden with room for an outdoor unit, and the survey checks airflow and distance from neighbouring windows. Terraced streets in Leicester often mean a compact unit position at the rear, so siting and sound levels are checked carefully.
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
- Households with room for a hot water cylinder
- Owners who want one contract covering design, fitting and paperwork
What's included
- System design, unit sizing and a written quote
- Free home survey and room-by-room heat loss calculation
- Radiator and pipework changes where the design needs them
- MCS registration and certificate, plus network operator notification
- Commissioning, handover and a walk-through of the controls
Installers working in Leicester 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 Leicester quote.
Installing heat pumps is zero-rated for VAT across the UK until 31 March 2027. Since 29 May 2025, permitted development in England allows up to two air source heat pumps on a house, each up to 1.5 m³, with no blanket 1 m boundary rule — the installation must still meet the MCS planning standards, including the noise check. Listed buildings, flats and some conservation-area positions need extra consent, which we check at survey.
Air source heat pump installation prices in Leicester
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Leicestershire, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Leicester 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 | £9,500–£12,500 | £2,000–£5,000 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £10,500–£13,500 | £3,000–£6,000 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £12,000–£15,500 | £4,500–£8,000 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £14,000–£18,000 | £6,500–£10,500 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £16,500–£22,500 | £9,000–£15,000 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning.
Designing for Leicester's winters
On the shortest day Leicester gets about 7 hours 38 minutes of daylight, with the noon sun around 14° up. The heating season runs from autumn into spring, so a heat pump that is sized correctly and set up with weather compensation does most of its work in steady, cool conditions.
The steps for air source heat pump installation in Leicester
- Tell us about your home: postcode, property type and current heating.
- We book a survey in Leicester; the surveyor measures rooms, windows and radiators and looks at cylinder space.
- The design and quote arrive in writing, including radiator changes and the outdoor unit position.
- On installation days the old system is removed and the new one fitted and filled.
- We commission the heat pump, show you the controls and register the installation.
Air source heat pump installation in Leicester: questions
What size heat pump does a Leicester 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 Leicester home.
How long does a heat pump survey take in Leicester?
A home survey in Leicester usually takes one to two hours. The surveyor measures every heated room, checks windows, walls and radiators, and looks at where the outdoor unit and cylinder can go.
Can you service a heat pump in Leicester that someone else installed?
Yes. We arrange servicing and repairs for most air source heat pumps in Leicester, whoever fitted them. Tell us the make and model when you book.
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.
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.