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.
In Warwickshire, a hydrobox often goes in an utility room or garage, with the cylinder alongside. In Warwickshire homes where the clearest unit position is away from the plant cupboard, a split system allows a longer route indoors. Flats and terraces in Warwickshire with a small yard or flat roof can suit a compact split outdoor unit.
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
- 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
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in Warwickshire 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 Warwickshire
These are guide prices for Warwickshire, 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 Warwickshire
We cover 10 towns in Warwickshire for split system heat pumps. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuneaton | CV11 | Bedworth | 7 h 39 min |
| Rugby | CV21 | Lutterworth | 7 h 40 min |
| Royal Leamington Spa | CV31 | Warwick | 7 h 41 min |
| Warwick | CV34 | Royal Leamington Spa | 7 h 41 min |
| Bedworth | CV12 | Nuneaton | 7 h 39 min |
| Stratford-upon-Avon | CV37 | Alcester | 7 h 42 min |
| Kenilworth | CV8 | Warwick | 7 h 41 min |
| Alcester | B49 | Stratford-upon-Avon | 7 h 42 min |
| Atherstone | CV9 | Nuneaton | 7 h 38 min |
| Shipston-on-Stour | CV36 | Stratford-upon-Avon | 7 h 44 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.
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.
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.