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 Powys with a small yard or flat roof can suit a compact split outdoor unit. Owners across Powys can compare split and monobloc designs side by side at a survey in Powys. In Powys, a hydrobox often goes in an utility room or garage, with the cylinder alongside.
Who it suits
- Homes where the outdoor unit must sit some distance from the plant space
- Houses with indoor wall space for a boiler-sized hydrobox
- Exposed or frost-prone sites where outdoor water pipes would be a risk
- Owners who would rather not use glycol or anti-freeze valves
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Wales
In Wales 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; £2,500 for air-to-air). The MCS-certified installer named in your quote applies to Ofgem for you, and the grant comes off your quote.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK, Wales included, until 31 March 2027. Planning rules for heat pumps in Wales are set by the Welsh Government and differ from England's, so the surveyor checks the unit position against them.
Split system heat pumps prices in Powys
These are guide prices for Powys, 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 Powys
We cover 10 towns in Powys for split system heat pumps. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for Wales.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brecon | LD3 | Crickhowell | 7 h 45 min |
| Builth Wells | LD2 | Llandrindod Wells | 7 h 43 min |
| Crickhowell | NP8 | Abergavenny | 7 h 46 min |
| Hay-on-Wye | HR3 | Builth Wells | 7 h 44 min |
| Knighton | LD7 | Newtown | 7 h 41 min |
| Llandrindod Wells | LD1 | Builth Wells | 7 h 42 min |
| Machynlleth | SY20 | Dolgellau | 7 h 38 min |
| Newtown | SY16 | Welshpool | 7 h 39 min |
| Welshpool | SY21 | Newtown | 7 h 37 min |
| Ystradgynlais | SA9 | Pontardawe | 7 h 47 min |
Split system heat pumps questions
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.
Is a split system more efficient than a monobloc?
Not inherently. Efficiency depends far more on design, meaning correct sizing, low flow temperatures and good controls, than on whether the unit is split or monobloc. A split system can avoid the heat loss and glycol of a long outdoor water run, which helps in certain layouts. The survey estimates seasonal efficiency for the specific units proposed, so you can compare like for like.
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.
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.