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.
In exposed spots around Nottinghamshire, frost protection for the outdoor pipework is chosen with the site in mind. Bungalows in Nottinghamshire often let the unit sit right beside the plant cupboard, keeping water pipes short. Houses in Nottinghamshire with a rear wall close to the cylinder location usually suit a monobloc unit with a short pipe run.
Who it suits
- Households that want to keep refrigerant work out of routine servicing
- Houses and bungalows with outdoor space close to where pipes enter the home
- Owners who want the simplest installation, with no indoor refrigerant
- Homes where the unit can sit within a short pipe run of the cylinder
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in Nottinghamshire 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.
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.
Monobloc heat pumps prices in Nottinghamshire
Here are typical prices for monobloc heat pumps in Nottinghamshire, installed and including VAT. Use the guide price tool for a figure based on your home, then a survey confirms it in writing.
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price | After £7,500 grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £9,500–£12,500 | £2,000–£5,000 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £10,500–£13,500 | £3,000–£6,000 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £12,000–£15,500 | £4,500–£8,000 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £14,000–£18,000 | £6,500–£10,500 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £16,500–£22,500 | £9,000–£15,000 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning.
Towns we cover in Nottinghamshire
We cover 10 towns in Nottinghamshire for monobloc heat pumps. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham | NG1 | Arnold | 7 h 34 min |
| Mansfield | NG18 | Hucknall | 7 h 32 min |
| Worksop | S80 | Retford | 7 h 30 min |
| Newark-on-Trent | NG24 | Southwell | 7 h 33 min |
| Arnold | NG5 | Nottingham | 7 h 34 min |
| Hucknall | NG15 | Arnold | 7 h 33 min |
| Retford | DN22 | Worksop | 7 h 30 min |
| Eastwood | NG16 | Ilkeston | 7 h 34 min |
| Bingham | NG13 | Nottingham | 7 h 34 min |
| Southwell | NG25 | Newark-on-Trent | 7 h 33 min |
Monobloc heat pumps questions
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.
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.
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.