Air Source Heat Pump and Solar Panels Combination Guide (UK)

Did you know that you can combine air source heat pumps and solar panels to reduce your energy costs significantly? Air source heat pumps are an increasingly popular and sustainable choice for heating and cooling in the UK. You can replace your boiler with a heat pump for better energy efficiency. Combining your heat pumps with solar panels can reduce your reliance on the energy grid. This can save you up to £2,100 annually. 

Has this sparked your interest in getting an air source heat pump for your home? Then you should get in touch with reputable air source heat pump professionals to get started. However, it can be tricky and time consuming to find reliable professionals. Luckily, here at Household Quotes, we can connect you with up to four certified heat pump experts by completing our 30-second online form.

This service not only saves time but also ensures access to expert advice and competitive pricing options without any obligation to commit. Get started by clicking the button below:

Yes, solar panels can power your heat pump. An average air source heat pump would require around 2,700kWh of electricity annually to power a 2-3 bedroom house in the UK. Solar panels are an independent source of energy as they convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity from the solar panel system can be used directly for powering the heat pumps. 

This way, the heat pump does not have to rely on electricity from the national grid and this combined system can also reduce your carbon footprint. In short, this combined system is a highly efficient integrated renewable heating and cooling solution.

An average 2-3 bedroom home will require a 5kW heat pump and eight 4kW solar panels in the UK. According to Ofgem, a typical UK household’s annual electricity consumption ranges from 1,800kWh to 4,100kWh. A heat pump would mean an additional 4,000kWh of electricity consumption. 

The type of heat pump needed depends on the insulation levels of your house, the heat distribution system you have (radiators or underfloor heating) and the home size and energy use.

Combining heat pumps with solar panels will cover at least 50%- 60% of the total energy consumption of your heating system. So it means that you would require a 4kW-5kW solar system with 8-10 panels to cover the energy requirements of a 10kW heat pump along with half of other energy needs. 

So the number of solar panels needed to power a heat pump and generate electricity for other purposes in the house depends on your home size and energy use. You will need a more efficient system or more solar panels if you aim to cover all of your energy needs.

For powering your heat pump at night, you might also need a solar battery for energy storage, which can cost an additional £4,000. 

To determine the correct type of heat pump for your home, suitable for your energy needs, it's important to get advice from an expert. Finding a trustworthy installer can be a tiresome and time-consuming process. 

Thankfully we have just the solution- a vetted network of qualified heat pump installers ready to assist you. Fill out our 30-second form and compare up to 4 free quotes to get the best value for your money.

A typical 2-3 bedroom house would need a 4kW-5kW solar panel system, which would cost around £7,000 – £8,000. For the same house, a 5kw air source heat pump costs about £10,000. This would result in a total upfront cost of £17,000 – £19,000 without any grants.

There are different types of solar panels and heat pumps in the UK. Solar panel and heat pump prices depend on the output of the panel, the number of solar panels and the type of heat pump (energy output).

You can also reduce the total costs by applying for different air source heat pump grants. With the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) you can get £7,500 towards an air source heat pump. You can avail this grant if you are replacing a fossil fuel heating system, match the minimum efficiency levels, and possess a valid Energy Performance Certificate. 

Additionally, there are also a number of government policies to save money on solar panels as well. Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4), Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), and 0% VAT rule are all different schemes with different eligibility criteria that help offset the costs of solar panels.

Now assuming you do get the BUS grant of £7,500, the total upfront cost would be around £10,500. You will be saving up to £660 annually with average-sized solar panels (3kW to 4kW). And around £195 with a heat pump. This leads to a total savings of £855 annually. So with a total cost of £10,500 and annual savings of £855, you will break even in around 12-14 years. 

You can always increase your total savings by selling excess energy back to the national grid. Another thing to note is that switching to renewable energy can also increase your home value. Upgrading from fossil fuels to air source heat pumps makes your property attractive to potential buyers. Depending on the location this increase in value can be anywhere between £866 to £4,787. 

There are a few factors that you should consider before installing the air source heat pump and solar panels combination in your home. 

You can get started on your sustainability journey by installing heat pumps and solar panels. This combination can increase your energy savings and also increase your home value in the long run. 

The only way to know if your home meets the requirements for getting the heat pump-solar panel combination is by talking to an expert who can analyse your unique situation. However, it can be a challenging task to find reliable installers who offer fair quotes. 

Household Quotes can make this process easy for you! Just fill out the short 30-second form and receive up to 4 free and non-binding quotes.