Hot water has to come from elsewhere, such as an existing immersion cylinder, an electric water heater or a separate hot water heat pump. In England and Wales, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme now includes a grant of £2,500 for air-to-air heat pumps in homes, from 28 April 2026, subject to the scheme's conditions. The installer must be MCS-certified to apply, and the refrigerant work must be done by an F-gas certified engineer.
Top-floor rooms in East Sussex that overheat in summer gain from the cooling an air-to-air system provides. A survey in East Sussex covers indoor unit positions, pipe routes and hot water for homes across East Sussex. Extensions and garden rooms in East Sussex that are hard to connect to the main heating can have their own air-to-air unit.
Who it suits
- Households that already have, or will add, a separate source of hot water
- Flats and apartments with storage or panel heaters
- Extensions, conservatories and garden rooms
- Rooms that get too hot in summer as well as cold in winter
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in East Sussex 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.
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-to-air heat pumps prices in East Sussex
Here are typical prices for air-to-air heat pumps in East Sussex, installed and including VAT. Use the guide price tool for a figure based on your home, then a survey confirms it in writing.
| System | Installed guide price |
|---|---|
| Air-to-air heat pump, 1–2 rooms | £2,450–£5,150 |
| Air-to-air heat pump, multi-room 3–4 bedroom home | £4,100–£8,250 |
Installed, inc VAT. Air-to-air systems heat (and can cool) rooms but do not provide hot water. In England and Wales the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £2,500 towards an air-to-air system in a home, deducted from your quote where eligible.
Towns we cover in East Sussex
We cover 14 towns in East Sussex for air-to-air heat pumps. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton | BN1 | Peacehaven | 7 h 56 min |
| Eastbourne | BN21 | Hailsham | 7 h 57 min |
| Hastings | TN34 | Bexhill-on-Sea | 7 h 56 min |
| Bexhill-on-Sea | TN40 | Battle | 7 h 56 min |
| Hailsham | BN27 | Eastbourne | 7 h 56 min |
| Seaford | BN25 | Newhaven | 7 h 57 min |
| Crowborough | TN6 | Uckfield | 7 h 54 min |
| Peacehaven | BN10 | Newhaven | 7 h 57 min |
| Uckfield | TN22 | Crowborough | 7 h 55 min |
| Lewes | BN7 | Peacehaven | 7 h 56 min |
| Battle | TN33 | Bexhill-on-Sea | 7 h 55 min |
| Heathfield | TN21 | Uckfield | 7 h 55 min |
| Newhaven | BN9 | Seaford | 7 h 57 min |
| Rye | TN31 | Hastings | 7 h 55 min |
Air-to-air heat pumps questions
How do I look after an air-to-air system?
Clean the indoor unit filters regularly, typically every few weeks during heavy use and following the manufacturer's guidance, and keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves and snow. Annual servicing is recommended and is often a condition of the manufacturer's warranty. Any work on the refrigerant circuit must be done by an F-gas certified engineer.
How much sound do the indoor units make?
Indoor units are designed to run quietly, with a fan you will hear most when heating or cooling at full output. Lower fan settings and night modes reduce sound in bedrooms. Siting matters for the outdoor unit too: it needs airflow and a position that passes the MCS noise assessment. Ask to see the sound levels of the proposed units at survey.
Is there a grant for air-to-air heat pumps?
In England and Wales, yes: the Boiler Upgrade Scheme includes a grant of £2,500 for air-to-air heat pumps in homes, from 28 April 2026. The MCS-certified installer applies to Ofgem and deducts it from your quote, subject to the scheme's conditions. The scheme does not cover Scotland or Northern Ireland; in Scotland, Home Energy Scotland has its own rules.
Can air-to-air heat pumps cool as well as heat?
Yes. Most air-to-air systems can reverse their cycle to cool and dehumidify rooms in summer, which makes them useful for loft rooms, south-facing extensions and home offices that overheat. Cooling uses electricity, so running costs rise if it is used heavily. You control heating and cooling for each room separately.