A monobloc heat pump is an air-to-water unit with the entire refrigerant circuit, including the compressor, heat exchangers and refrigerant, sealed inside the outdoor casing. Heat is passed to water inside the unit, and insulated water pipes carry it into the house to the cylinder and heating system. Nothing containing refrigerant comes indoors, which is a big part of why monobloc units suit so many UK homes.
Bungalows in Glasgow and Dunbartonshire often let the unit sit right beside the plant cupboard, keeping water pipes short. Houses in Glasgow and Dunbartonshire with a rear wall close to the cylinder location usually suit a monobloc unit with a short pipe run. For Glasgow and Dunbartonshire terraces with small yards, the survey confirms the unit fits with the clearances it needs.
Who it suits
- Owners who want the simplest installation, with no indoor refrigerant
- Households that want to keep refrigerant work out of routine servicing
- 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
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Scotland
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not apply in Scotland. Instead, homeowners in Glasgow and Dunbartonshire 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.
Installing heat pumps is zero-rated for VAT across the UK until 31 March 2027. Scotland has its own permitted development rules for air source heat pumps and its own building standards, so we confirm what applies to your property at survey.
Monobloc heat pumps prices in Glasgow and Dunbartonshire
These are guide prices for Glasgow and Dunbartonshire, installed and including VAT. Your final price is fixed in a written quote after the survey and depends on the heat loss of the house, the radiators that need changing and where the unit goes.
| 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 Glasgow and Dunbartonshire
We cover 8 towns in Glasgow and Dunbartonshire for monobloc heat pumps. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for Scotland.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | G2 | Bishopbriggs | 6 h 59 min |
| Bearsden | G61 | Milngavie | 6 h 58 min |
| Clydebank | G81 | Bearsden | 6 h 58 min |
| Bishopbriggs | G64 | Glasgow | 6 h 58 min |
| Dumbarton | G82 | Alexandria | 6 h 57 min |
| Kirkintilloch | G66 | Bishopbriggs | 6 h 58 min |
| Alexandria | G83 | Dumbarton | 6 h 57 min |
| Milngavie | G62 | Bearsden | 6 h 58 min |
Monobloc heat pumps questions
Is glycol or anti-freeze valves the better option?
Neither is right for every home. Glycol gives reliable frost protection without draining but slightly reduces efficiency and needs its concentration checked at servicing. Anti-freeze valves keep the system water plain but release water if pipes near freezing during a power cut, so the system then needs refilling. The installer recommends one based on the unit, pipe run and how exposed the site is.
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.
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.