A split system heat pump is an air-to-water heat pump in two parts: an outdoor unit that collects heat from the air, and an indoor unit called a hydrobox where that heat is passed into the water for your heating and hot water. The two are connected by insulated refrigerant pipes rather than water pipes, so there is no water outside to freeze.
Owners across Leicestershire can compare split and monobloc designs side by side at a survey in Leicestershire. In Leicestershire homes where the clearest unit position is away from the plant cupboard, a split system allows a longer route indoors. Installers covering Leicestershire keep refrigerant routes neat and protected along the outside wall.
Who it suits
- Homes where the outdoor unit must sit some distance from the plant space
- Exposed or frost-prone sites where outdoor water pipes would be a risk
- Small yards, roofs or balconies that suit a more compact outdoor unit
- Houses with indoor wall space for a boiler-sized hydrobox
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.
Split system heat pumps prices in Leicestershire
These are guide prices for Leicestershire, 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 | 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 Leicestershire
We cover 11 towns in Leicestershire for split system heat pumps. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester | LE1 | Oadby | 7 h 38 min |
| Loughborough | LE12 | Coalville | 7 h 36 min |
| Hinckley | LE10 | Earl Shilton | 7 h 39 min |
| Coalville | LE67 | Ashby-de-la-Zouch | 7 h 37 min |
| Wigston Magna | LE18 | Oadby | 7 h 38 min |
| Melton Mowbray | LE13 | Oakham | 7 h 36 min |
| Market Harborough | LE16 | Desborough | 7 h 39 min |
| Oadby | LE2 | Wigston Magna | 7 h 38 min |
| Earl Shilton | LE9 | Hinckley | 7 h 38 min |
| Ashby-de-la-Zouch | LE65 | Coalville | 7 h 36 min |
| Lutterworth | LE17 | Rugby | 7 h 40 min |
Split system heat pumps questions
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.
Do I need an F-gas engineer for a split heat pump?
Yes. Split systems usually use a fluorinated refrigerant such as R32, so installing, servicing or repairing the refrigerant circuit must by law be done by an F-gas certified engineer. That covers joining the refrigerant pipes, testing them for leaks and charging the system. Your quote sets out who carries out each part of the installation, including the refrigerant work.
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.
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.