FAQ
Answers before you book a survey
If you're researching a heat pump for your home in Manchester or Greater Manchester, it's normal to have lots of questions—especially if you're replacing an older boiler or upgrading as part of a renovation.
This FAQ is designed to give you clear, plain-English answers about suitability, disruption, permissions, and funding, so you can decide what to do next with confidence.
Where rules or grants apply, we refer to the current position as of August 2026. If anything changes, we'll talk it through with you during your survey and quote.
If your question isn't covered here, contact Northline Heat Pumps and we'll point you to the right next step—even if that means advising against a heat pump for your property.
Heat pump FAQs
Quick answers to the questions we hear most from local homeowners in Greater Manchester.
Will a heat pump work in an older home?
Often, yes. The key is matching the system to your home's heat loss, insulation, and radiators or underfloor heating. Many older Greater Manchester properties can run well with a heat pump after practical upgrades such as draught-proofing, insulation improvements, and sometimes radiator changes. A proper room-by-room heat loss calculation is what turns it should work into a reliable design.
What grants are available in England and Wales?
As of August 2026, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers one grant per property: £7,500 for an air source air-to-water heat pump, £7,500 for a ground source heat pump, £5,000 for a biomass boiler, and £2,500 for an air-to-air heat pump in residential use only. Until March 2027, eligible off-gas-grid homes heated by oil or LPG can receive an additional £1,500 uplift, making £9,000, for air source or ground source heat pumps.
Do I need planning permission for an air source heat pump?
In England, many domestic air source heat pumps can be installed as permitted development with no planning application if all limits and conditions are met. A key requirement is compliance with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards MCS 020a; from 28 May 2026, MCS 020a is the only permitted certification scheme for this purpose. Some homes, for example listed buildings or certain conservation area situations, or where local restrictions apply, may need additional permissions—so we always recommend checking with your local planning authority if there's any doubt.
Will I need new radiators or underfloor heating?
Not always, but it's common to make targeted changes. Heat pumps typically deliver heat at lower temperatures than a conventional boiler, so radiators sometimes need resizing to keep rooms comfortable in colder weather. During the survey we look at radiator output, pipework, and controls, then propose the minimum changes needed for performance and comfort. We'll explain each recommendation and why it matters.
Can I keep my boiler as a backup?
You can choose a hybrid setup with a heat pump plus boiler, but as of August 2026 the Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not provide a grant for hybrid heat pump systems. If your goal is grant support, you'll typically be looking at a standalone heat pump system that replaces the existing fossil-fuel boiler. If you're considering backup options for resilience, we can talk through alternatives based on your home and priorities.
Get clear answers for your home
Book a survey or ask a question—no pressure, just practical guidance tailored to your property and priorities.