Air Source Heat Pump Installation
Replace your gas boiler with a high-efficiency heat pump. Combine with solar panels for near-zero heating bills. MCS certified, fully managed installation across Bristol, Somerset & the South West.
MCS Certified
Microgeneration Certification Scheme
NAPIT Registered
National Association of Professional Inspectors
RECC Member
Renewable Energy Consumer Code
Why Choose an Air Source Heat Pump?
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are the leading low-carbon alternative to gas boilers for UK homes. Unlike a boiler that burns fuel to create heat, a heat pump works like a refrigerator in reverse — extracting warmth from outdoor air and transferring it inside. Modern heat pumps achieve efficiencies of 300–400%, meaning for every unit of electricity used, they deliver three to four units of heat.
In the South West, where winters are relatively mild and solar irradiance is among the highest in the UK, combining an air source heat pump with solar panels and battery storage creates an exceptionally powerful package. Your solar panels generate the electricity that runs the heat pump — effectively giving you free, carbon-free heating for a significant portion of the year.
D&R Energy is MCS certified to install both solar PV systems and heat pumps, which means we can design and install your entire low-carbon energy system in one project, one warranty, one point of contact.
What Is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government grant that provides £7,500 towards the cost of an air source heat pump in England and Wales. The grant is paid directly to your installer and deducted from your installation cost — you never handle the money. D&R Energy handles the application on your behalf as part of our standard installation process.
To qualify, your property must have an EPC rating and must have had any recommended loft and cavity wall insulation installed first. Properties that are suitable for a heat pump but do not currently have these insulation measures can often have them fitted as part of the same project.
The Solar + Heat Pump Combination
An ASHP uses electricity, which means its running costs are directly linked to your electricity tariff. The most effective way to reduce ASHP running costs to near zero is to power it with your own solar panels. Here is how the combination works:
- Daytime heating: Solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours. The heat pump uses this free electricity to heat your home and hot water cylinder.
- Battery storage: Surplus solar electricity is stored in a GivEnergy or Tesla Powerwall battery. The heat pump draws on this stored energy in the evening and overnight.
- Smart scheduling: Modern heat pumps and inverters work together to schedule heating cycles to coincide with peak solar generation, maximising free energy use.
- Grid backup: When solar and battery are depleted, the system uses grid electricity at the cheapest rate through smart tariff integration.
Typical System Costs & Savings
Costs vary based on property size, insulation levels, existing heating distribution (radiators vs underfloor), and brand of unit. A free survey allows us to size the system correctly and give you a fully itemised quote.
Heat Pump vs Gas Boiler: Running Cost Comparison
For a typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house in the South West, consuming approximately 12,000 kWh of heat per year, the running cost comparison looks like this (2026 prices):
| Heating system | Annual fuel cost | With solar panels | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas boiler (90% eff) | £900–£1,100 | No benefit | £100–£150/yr |
| Oil boiler | £1,200–£1,800 | No benefit | £150–£200/yr |
| LPG boiler | £1,400–£2,000 | No benefit | £150–£200/yr |
| ASHP (COP 3.5, standard tariff) | £800–£1,100 | £350–£500 saving | £100–£150/yr |
| ASHP + solar + battery | £200–£450 | Included | £100–£150/yr |
Based on 12,000 kWh/year heat demand. Gas at 5.5p/kWh, electricity at 24.5p/kWh. ASHP assumes Octopus Cosy tariff (18.9p/kWh peak, 9p/kWh off-peak). Solar saving based on 4kW system in South West. Figures are indicative — actual costs vary by property. Request a free heat loss survey →
Suitable Properties in the South West
Air source heat pumps are suitable for most properties in our service area, including:
Off the Gas Grid? Heat Pumps Are Ideal
Many properties across our service area in Somerset, North Somerset, and rural Gloucestershire are not connected to the gas network. These properties currently rely on oil boilers or LPG, making them ideal candidates for an air source heat pump. The economics are compelling: oil and LPG prices are volatile and consistently higher per unit of heat than electricity from a heat pump. A solar + battery + ASHP combination can cut heating costs by 60–80% for off-gas properties.
Read our off-gas solar guideComplete Your Solar System
Store surplus solar for evenings. GivEnergy & Tesla Powerwall from ~£3,000.
Charge your car with free solar electricity. Zappi smart charger from ~£900.
Spread the cost over 3–10 years. No deposit options available. Subject to status.
Air Source Heat Pump FAQs
Ready to explore a heat pump for your home?
Book a free survey — we will assess your property, check your BUS eligibility, and provide a fully itemised quote at no charge.
We Install Heat Pumps Across the South West
Based in Portishead, we cover Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset, Bath, Gloucestershire, and beyond.
