Because the refrigerant circuit is sealed at the factory, the installer does not need to handle refrigerant on site in a typical installation, which keeps the job simpler. Inside, you still have a cylinder, controls and a small set of components for the water circuit, such as pumps, valves and an expansion vessel, but there is no indoor refrigerant unit to find wall space for.
Bungalows in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire often let the unit sit right beside the plant cupboard, keeping water pipes short. In exposed spots around Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire, frost protection for the outdoor pipework is chosen with the site in mind. A survey in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire checks the unit position, pipe route and clearance zones together for homes across Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire.
Who it suits
- Houses and bungalows with outdoor space close to where pipes enter the home
- Homes where the unit can sit within a short pipe run of the cylinder
- Owners who want the simplest installation, with no indoor refrigerant
- Households that want to keep refrigerant work out of routine servicing
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Scotland
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not apply in Scotland. Instead, homeowners in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire can apply to Home Energy Scotland for a grant of up to £7,500 towards a heat pump, with up to £1,500 more for eligible rural and island homes, plus an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500. You need a written funding offer before any work starts.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK, Scotland included, until 31 March 2027. Scottish permitted development rules and building standards apply, and the surveyor checks the unit position and any listed or conservation-area constraints.
Monobloc heat pumps prices in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire can need quite different radiators and pipework.
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £9,500–£12,500 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £10,500–£13,500 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £12,000–£15,500 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £14,000–£18,000 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £16,500–£22,500 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning. In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland grants of up to £7,500 and interest-free loans may reduce the cost.
Towns we cover in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire
We cover 9 towns in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire for monobloc heat pumps. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for Scotland.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stirling | FK9 | Bridge of Allan | 6 h 55 min |
| Falkirk | FK1 | Larbert | 6 h 57 min |
| Alloa | FK10 | Stirling | 6 h 55 min |
| Grangemouth | FK3 | Falkirk | 6 h 57 min |
| Bo'ness | EH51 | Grangemouth | 6 h 56 min |
| Bridge of Allan | FK9 | Stirling | 6 h 55 min |
| Callander | FK17 | Dunblane | 6 h 53 min |
| Dunblane | FK15 | Bridge of Allan | 6 h 54 min |
| Larbert | FK5 | Falkirk | 6 h 56 min |
Monobloc heat pumps questions
Are monobloc heat pumps covered by grants?
Yes. Monobloc units are air-to-water heat pumps, so in England and Wales they are covered by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of £7,500 for eligible homes, or £9,000 when replacing oil or LPG heating within the published dates. In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland funding requires an MCS-certified installer and products. There is no dedicated homeowner heat pump grant in Northern Ireland at present.
What refrigerant do monobloc heat pumps use?
Most use R32 or R290. R290 is propane, a natural refrigerant with a very low global warming impact, and some models use it to reach higher flow temperatures. Because R290 is flammable, manufacturers set clearance zones around the unit from openings such as windows, doors and drains, which the survey takes into account when choosing a position.
How far can a monobloc unit be from the house?
Usually as close as practical, because water pipes outside lose heat and need frost protection. Manufacturers set limits on pipe length and size, and longer runs need larger, better-insulated pipes. Most homes site the unit against or near an outside wall close to where the pipes enter. If the only good position is far from the house, a split system may suit better.
What is the difference between monobloc and split heat pumps?
A monobloc unit holds all of its refrigerant in the outdoor unit and sends heated water into the house. A split system has an outdoor unit and an indoor unit called a hydrobox, connected by refrigerant pipes, with heat passed to water indoors. Monobloc installs are simpler; splits avoid outdoor water pipes but need an F-gas certified engineer for the refrigerant work. Our monobloc vs split guide compares them.