Most new builds are not eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales. Some self-builds can be, depending on the circumstances, so check eligibility before relying on a grant in your budget. In Scotland, ask Home Energy Scotland about new homes; Northern Ireland has no dedicated homeowner heat pump grant at present.
Plots in Suffolk with tight boundaries benefit from fixing the outdoor unit position before landscaping is finalised. Self-builders in and around Suffolk can bring us in at drawing stage so the heat pump, cylinder and pipe routes are designed in from the start. For barn conversions and replacement dwellings near Suffolk, the design starts from the specification of the new walls, floors and glazing.
Who it suits
- Self-builders planning heating alongside the structure
- Architects and builders who want a heat loss design from the drawings
- Replacement dwellings and major conversions treated as new homes
- Homes designed with underfloor heating on one or more floors
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.
New-build and self-build heat pumps prices in Suffolk
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Suffolk, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Suffolk 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. Most new builds are not eligible for grant funding, so no deduction is shown.
Towns we cover in Suffolk
We cover 11 towns in Suffolk for new-build and self-build heat pumps. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ipswich | IP1 | Woodbridge | 7 h 44 min |
| Lowestoft | NR32 | Beccles | 7 h 39 min |
| Bury St Edmunds | IP33 | Stowmarket | 7 h 42 min |
| Haverhill | CB9 | Newmarket | 7 h 44 min |
| Felixstowe | IP11 | Harwich | 7 h 45 min |
| Sudbury | CO10 | Halstead | 7 h 44 min |
| Stowmarket | IP14 | Ipswich | 7 h 42 min |
| Newmarket | CB8 | Haverhill | 7 h 42 min |
| Beccles | NR34 | Lowestoft | 7 h 40 min |
| Southwold | IP18 | Beccles | 7 h 41 min |
| Woodbridge | IP12 | Ipswich | 7 h 43 min |
New-build and self-build heat pumps questions
Where should the outdoor unit go on a new build?
Somewhere with free airflow, a solid base and drainage, away from bedroom windows and boundaries where possible, and positioned to pass the MCS noise assessment. On a new build this can be planned into the landscaping, such as a side return or screened area near the plant room, which keeps pipe runs short. Planning rules differ by nation, so we check the position at design stage.
How long does a new-build heat pump installation take?
It is split across the build. First fix typically takes a few days once the structure is up, and second fix with commissioning takes a few more days near completion. Underfloor heating in screed then follows a gradual drying-out schedule. Exact timing depends on your build programme, which we agree with your builder so trades are not left waiting on each other.
Is underfloor heating worth it in a new build?
For many new homes, yes, because underfloor heating runs at low water temperatures that suit a heat pump, and laying pipes during the build is far easier than adding them later. It also frees up wall space. Radiators cost less and respond faster, so some self-builders combine underfloor heating downstairs with radiators upstairs. The design shows the flow temperature each option needs.
Can a self-build get the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant?
In some cases. In England and Wales the scheme is aimed at existing homes and most new builds are not eligible, but some self-builds can qualify depending on circumstances, so check eligibility before including a grant in your budget. If the scheme can apply, the MCS-certified installer named in your quote handles the application. Scotland and Northern Ireland are outside the scheme.