We design the heat pump first, from the room-by-room heat loss, and then look at how solar and storage could work with it. PV panels and batteries are quoted separately from the heat pump, after a roof survey, and the controls are set so the heat pump makes use of solar generation when it is available. See heat pump controls and tariffs for how timing and tariffs fit in.
Scaffolding access for solar in County Durham is checked at the survey, including terraced streets with shared passages. Homes in County Durham with existing panels can often have the heat pump set to heat water from their daytime output. Roof orientation and shading vary street by street in County Durham, so solar is assessed on each roof individually.
Who it suits
- Homes with existing solar PV that currently export much of their output
- Households considering a battery to store daytime or cheaper overnight electricity
- Households at home during the day or with flexible hot water timing
- Homes with a roof facing anywhere from east through south to west, with little shading
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.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK until 31 March 2027. In England most houses can have an air source heat pump under permitted development, provided the unit meets the MCS noise and siting standards; the old 1 m boundary limit was removed on 29 May 2025. We flag listed buildings, flats and sensitive conservation-area positions at survey.
Prices
Solar panels and batteries are quoted separately after a roof survey. For heat pump system prices see the guide prices.
Towns we cover in County Durham
We cover 14 towns in County Durham for heat pumps with solar panels and batteries. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darlington | DL1 | Newton Aycliffe | 7 h 16 min |
| Hartlepool | TS26 | Peterlee | 7 h 14 min |
| Stockton-on-Tees | TS18 | Billingham | 7 h 15 min |
| Durham | DH1 | Chester-le-Street | 7 h 13 min |
| Chester-le-Street | DH2 | Stanley | 7 h 12 min |
| Billingham | TS23 | Stockton-on-Tees | 7 h 15 min |
| Stanley | DH9 | Chester-le-Street | 7 h 12 min |
| Consett | DH8 | Stanley | 7 h 12 min |
| Newton Aycliffe | DL5 | Bishop Auckland | 7 h 15 min |
| Bishop Auckland | DL14 | Newton Aycliffe | 7 h 14 min |
| Seaham | SR7 | Peterlee | 7 h 12 min |
| Peterlee | SR8 | Seaham | 7 h 13 min |
| Barnard Castle | DL12 | Bishop Auckland | 7 h 16 min |
| Sedgefield | TS21 | Newton Aycliffe | 7 h 14 min |
Heat pumps with solar panels and batteries questions
Can solar panels run my heat pump in winter?
Only partly. In midwinter, solar panels typically generate a small fraction of their summer output, and the shortest days coincide with the highest heating demand. Panels may help on bright winter afternoons, but most winter heating will run on grid electricity or a battery charged from a cheaper overnight tariff. Solar contributes most to hot water from spring to autumn.
Do I need a battery to benefit from solar with a heat pump?
No. Without a battery you can still use solar generation directly by timing hot water heating for the middle of the day. A battery adds flexibility by storing surplus for the evening, or by charging from a cheaper overnight tariff in winter. Whether it suits you depends on how much you would otherwise export and on your tariff.
How much do solar panels and a battery cost with a heat pump?
Solar PV and batteries are quoted separately from the heat pump, because the price depends on your roof, the number of panels, scaffolding, the inverter and any battery size. We survey the roof and give a written quote for that part of the work. The heat pump itself is priced from its own guide ranges, shown on our prices page.
Should I fit solar panels before or after a heat pump?
Either order works, but planning both together helps. Knowing the heat pump's electricity use helps size the panels and any battery, and the electrical work for both can be coordinated, including the consumer unit and any notification to the network operator. If you already have panels, the heat pump controls can be set to use their output for hot water.