Thinking about moving away from expensive gas or oil to something greener and more efficient? Heat pumps are increasingly the UK’s go-to solution. But with a few different types on the market — each with their own strengths — how do you know which will actually work best for your home?
This guide covers the main heat pump types, offers an honest look at real-world performance, highlights top-rated models for 2025, and helps you match technology to your property.
|
Type |
Heat Source |
How It Works |
Best For |
Typical Efficiency (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Air Source (ASHP) |
Outdoor air |
Pulls warmth from the air outside |
Most UK homes |
300–350% (up to 540% in top models) |
|
Ground Source (GSHP) |
Shallow ground |
Collects heat from pipes buried underground |
Homes with garden space |
350–450% |
|
Water-source (WSHP) |
Lake/river water |
Uses a nearby river, lake, or pond |
Homes near open water |
400–500% |
|
Hybrid |
|
Combines a heat pump and a gas or oil boiler |
Homes needing flexibility |
Typically ~350–420%+ |
Air source heat pumps are simple to install and work well for most homes in the UK.
They come in two main types:
Air-to-Water: Provides heating and hot water using your radiators or underfloor pipes. This is the type supported by government grants like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) (Ofgem, GOV.UK).
Air-to-Air: Blows warmed air into your rooms, similar to a reverse air conditioner, but doesn’t heat water. Not covered by current grants (Ofgem).
|
Type |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Air-to-Water |
Transfers heat into a water-based heating system (radiators, underfloor heating, hot water). |
|
Air-to-Air |
Delivers heat as warm air into your home via fans. Does not heat water; less common in the UK. |
Why pick air source?
Lower upfront cost than other heat pump types, straightforward installation, and it works for most homes without major modifications.
Air-to-water systems integrate well with existing central heating infrastructure, including radiators and underfloor heating systems. The systems typically operate at lower flow temperatures (35-55°C) compared to gas boilers (60-75°C), requiring longer running times but providing more consistent, comfortable heating.
Suitability for Air-to-Water Systems:
Excellent fit (30% of homes): Well-insulated properties with underfloor heating or oversized radiators
Good fit with upgrades (40% of homes): Properties requiring radiator replacement or supplementation
These extract warmth from underground using a pipe loop buried in your garden.
Suit homes with enough outdoor space for digging.
Higher installation cost, but often even lower running costs over time.
Only practical if you have direct access to a river, large pond or lake. Rare, but very efficient where possible.
A hybrid runs a heat pump alongside your current boiler, switching between them for efficiency and extra warmth on very cold days.
Good choice if you want to phase out your old boiler gradually or have high hot water needs.
|
Manufacturer / Brand |
Country of Origin |
Key Series / Models |
Type & Features |
Max CoP / SCOP |
Notable Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Panasonic |
Japan |
Aquarea (L series) |
Air-to-water (split & monobloc); also air-to-air Etherea |
≈ 5.3 |
Retrofit‑ready; works with existing radiators |
|
Vaillant |
Germany |
aroTHERM / aroTHERM plus |
Air-to-water |
≈ 5.2 |
Quiet Mark approved; MCS‑certified; hybrid‑ready systems |
|
Daikin |
Japan |
Altherma (incl. high-temp) |
Air-to-water (split & monobloc) |
≈ 5.43 |
R32 refrigerant, inverter tech; works to –28 °C |
|
NIBE |
Sweden |
F2040, F2120 |
Air-to-water |
≈ 5.0 |
Cascade-compatible; strong seasonal efficiency |
|
Samsung |
South Korea |
EHS |
Air-to-water (split & monobloc) |
– |
Competitive pricing; flexible installation |
|
Mitsubishi Electric |
Japan / UK operations |
Ecodan |
Air-to-water |
– |
Widely used in UK; integrates with indoor cylinders |
|
Bosch (Worcester Bosch) |
Germany (UK subsidiary) |
Compress (e.g. 7000i AW) |
Air-to-water |
– |
Integrates with Bosch boilers |
|
Hitachi |
Japan |
Yutaki |
Air-to-water |
≈ 5.25 |
High-temp options; multiple capacities |
|
Viessmann |
Germany |
Vitocal series |
Air-to-water (reversible); cascade options |
– |
Uses R290; co-gen & cascade-capable units |
|
Baxi (BDR Thermea group) |
UK-based (via Spain plant) |
Auriga (R32 medium‑temp); Auriga HP+ (R290 high‑temp) |
Air-to-water monobloc with hybrid/cascade compatibility |
SCOP up to 4.83 at W35; Auriga HP+ up to 5.17 at W35; ~3.96 at W55 |
Operates to –20 °C; delivers up to 80 °C flow; low‑GWP refrigerants; remote-monitoring, hybrid controls. |
|
Manufacturer / Brand |
Origin / Notes |
Example Product / Series |
Specialisation / Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kensa Heat Pumps |
UK-based |
Shoebox series |
Compact installations: vertical and hybrid GSHPs |
|
Landy (TT Pumps) |
UK (part of TT Pumps) |
– |
Ground-source heat pumps |
|
Clivet |
Italy-based Europe-wide |
– |
Residential and commercial GSHP systems |
|
Viessmann |
Germany |
geoTHERM series |
High-efficiency residential GSHPs |
|
Worcester Bosch |
UK (Bosch Group) |
Greensource |
Domestic GSHP solutions |
|
Mitsubishi Electric |
Japan / UK operations |
Ecodan (ground variant) |
GSHPs for domestic/commercial use |
|
NIBE |
Sweden |
NIBE Ground |
Broad GSHP portfolio |
|
Grant |
UK / Ireland |
– |
GSHP models & hybrid GSHP/boiler systems |
|
Vaillant |
Germany |
– |
GSHP models and hybrid GSHP systems |
|
Baxi (BDR Thermea Group) |
UK-based brand within European BDR Thermea Group |
Auriga Eco/Hybrid Auriga Eco Kit |
Hybrid-ready systems combining air-source pumps and boilers |