Heat pumps work differently from boilers. A boiler typically heats a home in bursts, switching on hard for a few hours in the morning and evening. A heat pump is usually most efficient running 'low and slow': keeping water at a modest temperature for longer and holding rooms at a steady temperature rather than reheating them from cold. Many people find this takes a week or two to get used to.
Hot water schedules in West Sussex can be timed to suit shift work, school runs or working from home. Across West Sussex and West Sussex, heating curves are fine-tuned after the first cold spell to suit how each house responds. Homeowners in West Sussex get a walkthrough of their controls at handover, with a simple written guide to keep.
Who it suits
- Every new heat pump installation, set up at commissioning
- Homes with an extension, loft room or areas heated at different times
- Homes with solar PV or a battery that want hot water timed to match
- Existing heat pumps that feel expensive to run or slow to respond
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in West 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.
Prices
Weather-compensating controls and set-up are included in every full system price. See the guide prices for full systems.
Towns we cover in West Sussex
We cover 14 towns in West Sussex for heat pump controls and tariffs. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crawley | RH11 | Horley | 7 h 53 min |
| Worthing | BN11 | Shoreham-by-Sea | 7 h 56 min |
| Bognor Regis | PO21 | Chichester | 7 h 57 min |
| Littlehampton | BN17 | Arundel | 7 h 56 min |
| Horsham | RH12 | Crawley | 7 h 54 min |
| Haywards Heath | RH16 | Burgess Hill | 7 h 55 min |
| Chichester | PO19 | Bognor Regis | 7 h 56 min |
| Burgess Hill | RH15 | Haywards Heath | 7 h 55 min |
| East Grinstead | RH19 | Crawley | 7 h 53 min |
| Shoreham-by-Sea | BN43 | Worthing | 7 h 56 min |
| Emsworth | PO10 | Havant | 7 h 56 min |
| Arundel | BN18 | Littlehampton | 7 h 56 min |
| Midhurst | GU29 | Petworth | 7 h 55 min |
| Petworth | GU28 | Midhurst | 7 h 55 min |
Heat pump controls and tariffs questions
What flow temperature should my heat pump run at?
It depends on the design: the flow temperature is set so your radiators or underfloor heating can heat each room on a cold day. Well-designed systems typically run at around 35–50°C at their coldest, and lower in milder weather through weather compensation. Your design paperwork states the design flow temperature, and we set the heating curve to match it.
Can I control my heat pump from my phone?
Many heat pumps offer an app or work with smart thermostats, letting you change temperatures, set schedules and see energy use from your phone. Features vary by make and model, and app control usually needs a reliable internet connection at home. The heating keeps running on its own settings if the connection drops.
Should I turn my heat pump off at night?
Usually not. Switching off lets the house cool, and the heat pump then has to run at a higher flow temperature to recover, which lowers efficiency. A small set-back of 1–2°C overnight is generally more economical. Homes with very good insulation or a time-of-use tariff may suit different patterns, which we can set up.
How should I set the hot water on a heat pump?
Most households heat hot water once or twice a day at set times rather than on demand. Timing the main heat for a cheaper tariff period, or for the middle of the day when solar panels generate, helps keep costs down. A weekly legionella cycle raises the water temperature higher, and we schedule it at a sensible time.