The hydrobox is a wall-mounted cabinet roughly the size of a boiler, or it can be built into a combined cylinder unit. It holds the heat exchanger, circulating pump, valves and controls. Outdoor units for split systems can be more compact than monobloc units of similar output, which helps where outdoor space is limited.
Flats and terraces in Derbyshire with a small yard or flat roof can suit a compact split outdoor unit. Properties on exposed sites around Derbyshire can avoid outdoor water pipes altogether with a split system. In Derbyshire, a hydrobox often goes in an utility room or garage, with the cylinder alongside.
Who it suits
- Houses with indoor wall space for a boiler-sized hydrobox
- Small yards, roofs or balconies that suit a more compact outdoor unit
- Owners who would rather not use glycol or anti-freeze valves
- Exposed or frost-prone sites where outdoor water pipes would be a risk
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in Derbyshire 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.
Split system heat pumps prices in Derbyshire
Here are typical prices for split system heat pumps in Derbyshire, 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 Derbyshire
We cover 16 towns in Derbyshire for split system heat pumps. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derby | DE1 | Belper | 7 h 34 min |
| Chesterfield | S41 | Staveley | 7 h 31 min |
| Long Eaton | NG10 | Ilkeston | 7 h 35 min |
| Ilkeston | DE7 | Heanor | 7 h 34 min |
| Swadlincote | DE11 | Ashby-de-la-Zouch | 7 h 36 min |
| Staveley | S43 | Chesterfield | 7 h 31 min |
| Belper | DE56 | Ripley | 7 h 33 min |
| Heanor | DE75 | Ripley | 7 h 33 min |
| Alfreton | DE55 | Ripley | 7 h 33 min |
| Dronfield | S18 | Chesterfield | 7 h 30 min |
| Ripley | DE5 | Heanor | 7 h 33 min |
| Buxton | SK17 | Bakewell | 7 h 31 min |
| Glossop | SK13 | Hyde | 7 h 29 min |
| Ashbourne | DE6 | Belper | 7 h 33 min |
| Bakewell | DE45 | Matlock | 7 h 31 min |
| Matlock | DE4 | Bakewell | 7 h 32 min |
Split system heat pumps questions
Is a split system eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Yes. A split air-to-water heat pump counts as an air source heat pump under the scheme, so in England and Wales eligible owners of existing homes can receive £7,500, or £9,000 when replacing oil or LPG within the published dates. The MCS-certified installer applies for you. Scotland's Home Energy Scotland funding is separate, and Northern Ireland has no dedicated homeowner grant at present.
How far apart can the outdoor unit and hydrobox be?
It depends on the model: each manufacturer sets a maximum refrigerant pipe length and height difference, and longer runs may need extra refrigerant. In practice a split system allows more flexibility than a monobloc's water pipes, so the outdoor unit can often sit on the far side of a house, on a flat roof or round a corner. The survey measures the actual route.
How big is a hydrobox?
A hydrobox is typically about the size of a wall-mounted boiler, though sizes vary by make and model. It needs wall space near the cylinder with room around it for servicing and pipe connections. Some manufacturers combine the hydrobox and cylinder in a single floor-standing unit similar in size to a tall fridge-freezer, which can suit a utility room or garage.
Can a split system replace my combi boiler?
Yes, but like any air-to-water heat pump it needs a hot water cylinder, because it does not heat water instantly. The hydrobox can sometimes go where the combi was, with the cylinder in a cupboard, utility room or garage. Integrated units combining both are useful where one larger space is available. The survey checks what fits before the design is finalised.