A commercial heat pump installation is an air source system designed for a non-domestic or multi-unit building, such as an office, shop, surgery, small workshop or block of flats, where the heating load and hours of use are larger or more varied than in a single home. Rather than one unit, these systems often use several outdoor units working together, called a cascade, so output can step up and down with demand and one unit can be serviced while the others keep running.
Premises in Norfolk close to homes need careful plant siting and, where required, an acoustic assessment. On busy Norfolk high streets, deliveries and crane lifts are scheduled around access restrictions and opening hours. Offices and shops in Norfolk with a flat roof or rear yard often have space for outdoor plant, checked for structure and access.
Who it suits
- Offices, shops and small commercial premises replacing gas or oil boilers
- Buildings with roof or yard space for outdoor plant
- Premises that also want cooling in some areas
- Landlords and managing agents planning low-carbon upgrades
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 Norfolk
We cover 11 towns in Norfolk for commercial heat pump installation. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich | NR1 | Wymondham | 7 h 38 min |
| Great Yarmouth | NR30 | Lowestoft | 7 h 38 min |
| King's Lynn | PE30 | Wisbech | 7 h 36 min |
| Thetford | IP24 | Bury St Edmunds | 7 h 40 min |
| Dereham | NR19 | Swaffham | 7 h 37 min |
| Cromer | NR27 | North Walsham | 7 h 34 min |
| Diss | NR16 | Wymondham | 7 h 40 min |
| Fakenham | NR21 | Dereham | 7 h 35 min |
| North Walsham | NR28 | Cromer | 7 h 36 min |
| Swaffham | PE37 | Dereham | 7 h 37 min |
| Wymondham | NR18 | Norwich | 7 h 38 min |
Commercial heat pump installation questions
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.
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.
How much does a commercial heat pump cost?
Commercial heat pumps are priced after a site survey, because cost depends on the building's heat load, the number and size of units, where the plant goes, access, and any changes to the heating system inside. We then give a written quote setting out the equipment, the programme and what is included. There is no reliable guide price for commercial work without seeing the building.