Every air-to-water heat pump installation needs a cylinder, because there is no heat pump equivalent of a combi boiler that heats water instantly. If you have a combi now, the main design question is where the cylinder will go. If you already have a cylinder, it will almost always need replacing with a heat pump model, though the same cupboard can often be reused if it is large enough.
Older houses in County Armagh with loft tanks can usually have them removed when an unvented cylinder is fitted. In terraced homes around County Armagh and across County Armagh, slimline cylinders can fit spaces a standard model cannot. Many homes in County Armagh with combi boilers have no airing cupboard, so the survey looks for the most practical cylinder space.
Who it suits
- Homes with solar PV that want to store daytime electricity as hot water
- Homes replacing a combi boiler that need space found for a cylinder
- Larger families or homes with two or more bathrooms
- Every air-to-water heat pump installation, whatever the existing boiler
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland does not have a dedicated heat pump grant for homeowners at present, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not apply here. Heat pumps have sometimes been funded through the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme, so it is worth checking what is open when you enquire about a home in County Armagh.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump in Northern Ireland until 31 March 2027, the same as in Great Britain. Planning and building control here follow Northern Ireland's own rules, so the survey checks the unit position against them.
Heat pump hot water cylinders prices in County Armagh
Here are typical prices for heat pump hot water cylinders in County Armagh, installed and including VAT. Use the guide price tool for a figure based on your home, then a survey confirms it in writing.
| Work | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Heat pump hot water cylinder (supplied and fitted) | £1,150–£2,150 |
Supplied and fitted, inc VAT. Included in every full system price.
Towns we cover in County Armagh
We cover 6 towns in County Armagh for heat pump hot water cylinders. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for Northern Ireland.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craigavon | BT64 | Lurgan | 7 h 17 min |
| Portadown | BT62 | Craigavon | 7 h 17 min |
| Armagh | BT61 | Keady | 7 h 18 min |
| Keady | BT60 | Armagh | 7 h 19 min |
| Lurgan | BT66 | Craigavon | 7 h 17 min |
| Tandragee | BT63 | Portadown | 7 h 18 min |
Heat pump hot water cylinders questions
Do I need good water pressure for an unvented cylinder?
Yes. An unvented cylinder runs at mains pressure, so it needs enough incoming pressure and flow to supply your taps and showers well. We measure your mains supply at the survey. If flow is low, options include a different cylinder type or an upgrade to the incoming supply pipe, which we explain before you commit.
Does a heat pump cylinder need servicing?
Yes. An unvented cylinder's safety devices should be checked every year, including the relief valves, the expansion vessel charge and the discharge pipework. This is normally done as part of the annual heat pump service, and it is often a condition of the cylinder manufacturer's warranty. Keep the cylinder paperwork with your heat pump handover documents.
How much does a heat pump cylinder cost?
A heat pump hot water cylinder has a guide price of £1,200–£2,200, installed and including VAT. In a full heat pump installation the cylinder is already included in the system guide price, so this figure mainly applies where a cylinder is replaced on its own. Capacity, coil design and the pipework needed affect where your price sits.
Can I keep my existing hot water cylinder with a heat pump?
Usually not. Cylinders designed for boilers have a small coil that cannot transfer heat quickly at heat pump temperatures, so the water would reheat slowly and efficiency would suffer. A heat pump cylinder has a much larger coil. The new cylinder can often go in the same cupboard, though, if there is enough height and floor space.