Design starts with the load: a heat loss calculation for the building, its occupancy and opening hours, how much hot water it uses and whether any spaces need cooling. From that we propose plant sizes and positions, on a roof, in a yard or in a plant enclosure, with the structural, electrical and noise checks each position needs. Larger plant may need a three-phase supply, which the network operator may need to provide or confirm.
Offices and shops in Cheshire with a flat roof or rear yard often have space for outdoor plant, checked for structure and access. On busy Cheshire high streets, deliveries and crane lifts are scheduled around access restrictions and opening hours. For blocks of flats in Cheshire, we assess whether individual units or a communal system suits the building and how it is managed.
Who it suits
- Buildings with roof or yard space for outdoor plant
- Landlords and managing agents planning low-carbon upgrades
- Premises that also want cooling in some areas
- Blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation needing shared or per-flat systems
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 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.
Prices
Commercial systems are priced after a site survey and load calculation.
Towns we cover in Cheshire
We cover 18 towns in Cheshire for commercial heat pump installation. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warrington | WA1 | Widnes | 7 h 29 min |
| Chester | CH1 | Ellesmere Port | 7 h 31 min |
| Crewe | CW1 | Nantwich | 7 h 33 min |
| Ellesmere Port | CH65 | Chester | 7 h 30 min |
| Widnes | WA8 | Runcorn | 7 h 30 min |
| Runcorn | WA7 | Widnes | 7 h 30 min |
| Macclesfield | SK11 | Alderley Edge | 7 h 31 min |
| Northwich | CW9 | Winsford | 7 h 31 min |
| Winsford | CW7 | Middlewich | 7 h 31 min |
| Congleton | CW12 | Sandbach | 7 h 32 min |
| Wilmslow | SK9 | Alderley Edge | 7 h 30 min |
| Sandbach | CW11 | Crewe | 7 h 32 min |
| Nantwich | CW5 | Crewe | 7 h 33 min |
| Alderley Edge | SK9 | Wilmslow | 7 h 30 min |
| Frodsham | WA6 | Runcorn | 7 h 30 min |
| Knutsford | WA16 | Alderley Edge | 7 h 30 min |
| Middlewich | CW10 | Winsford | 7 h 31 min |
| Tarporley | CW6 | Winsford | 7 h 32 min |
Commercial heat pump installation questions
Can you install without closing the business?
Usually, yes. Outdoor plant, pipework and controls can often be installed while the existing heating still runs, with the switchover planned for a short window, such as a weekend or a quieter time of year. Work inside occupied areas can be phased. The programme in your quote sets out what happens when, so you can plan staff and customers around it.
Are there grants for commercial heat pumps?
It depends on the building, its size and use, who owns it and which nation it is in, and the rules differ from those for homes. We check at survey whether any scheme applies to your building in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, and we do not include a grant in the quote unless eligibility has been confirmed.
Can commercial heat pumps provide cooling as well?
Some can. Air-to-water heat pumps are mainly used for heating and hot water, but certain units can also supply chilled water for fan coil units. Air-to-air systems heat and cool directly through indoor units and suit offices and shops where cooling is wanted. The survey identifies which areas need cooling and recommends a system to match.
Can heat pumps go on a flat roof?
Yes, flat roofs are a common position for commercial plant. The roof needs a structural check for the weight of the units and their frames, and the installation usually needs a lifting plan, anti-vibration mounts, drainage for defrost water and safe access for maintenance. Pipe and cable routes from the roof into the building are planned at survey.