Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
An air source heat pump isn't just a boiler with a different fuel source — it works fundamentally differently, extracting heat from outside air rather than burning gas, and running most efficiently at a lower, steadier flow temperature than a gas boiler ever needed to. That distinction matters for whether it's the right fit for your specific property, which is exactly why an honest survey comes before any recommendation, not after a decision's already been made.
What's Included
- Full heat loss survey before any recommendation, not a generic sizing — an install that actually performs, not one that disappoints in January
- Radiator sizing checked and upgraded where needed for lower flow temperatures — so the switch doesn't leave a room quietly colder than before
- MCS-standard installation and commissioning, required for grant eligibility — done right so any available grant isn't put at risk
- Honest advice on whether a property is currently a good fit, not a sale regardless — told plainly if it's not the right time yet
- Finance available to spread the cost, and eligible installations can carry an extended manufacturer warranty
How It Works
- 1 Survey the property: heat loss, existing radiators, and a suitable outdoor unit position
- 2 Confirm which radiators (if any) need upsizing for the new system to perform properly
- 3 Install the heat pump, hot water cylinder if needed, and any radiator changes
- 4 Commission to MCS standard and hand over the controls with a clear explanation
Common Issues
- • Undersized radiators from the old gas-boiler-era system needing an upgrade
- • Uncertainty over running costs compared with an existing gas boiler
- • Finding a suitable, sufficiently ventilated outdoor unit position
Pricing: Quoted individually after a heat-loss survey (indicative — confirm actual pricing with Rainbow Fix Ltd)
What Actually Happens When You Call
The survey for an ASHP goes further than a boiler swap: a proper heat loss calculation for the property, a check of whether existing radiators are sized generously enough to work at a heat pump's lower flow temperature (older systems, sized for a hot gas boiler, sometimes need upsizing on a few key radiators), and confirmation of a suitable outdoor unit position with enough airflow clearance. Installation and commissioning must be carried out and signed off to MCS standards for the installation to qualify for government grant schemes — this isn't a formality, it's what makes the difference between a compliant installation and one that technically works but doesn't tick the boxes it needs to.
Seasonal Considerations in Buckinghamshire & Berkshire
Unlike a boiler breakdown, an ASHP installation is a planned project, not an emergency — and it's worth planning it for spring or autumn rather than the depths of winter, since the property needs to be without full heating capacity for at least part of the install. Booking in a shoulder season, well ahead of the cold, also avoids competing for installer time with the autumn boiler-servicing rush described on the Boiler Repairs & Servicing page.
Still deciding what you need?
Call Roman directly on 07877 373229 — you'll get a straight answer, not a sales pitch.
Call 07877 373229Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) — Frequently Asked Questions
Are heat pumps suitable for an older, poorly insulated home?
They can be, but insulation genuinely matters more for a heat pump than it did for a gas boiler, since a heat pump performs best delivering steady heat at a lower temperature rather than short, powerful bursts. A poorly insulated older property isn't automatically ruled out, but an honest heat-loss survey — and sometimes an insulation improvement alongside the heat pump — is part of getting a genuinely good result rather than a disappointing one.
Is it currently required to have a heat pump in a new-build home?
Since the Future Homes Standard took effect in 2025, genuinely new-build homes are expected to use low-carbon heating — typically a heat pump — rather than a traditional gas boiler as standard. This is already visible locally in the newest phases of developments like Kingsbrook in <a href="/areas/aylesbury">Aylesbury</a> and Great Western Park in <a href="/areas/didcot">Didcot</a>, where recently completed homes have heat pumps while earlier phases of the same estates have gas combi boilers.
Will a heat pump cost more or less to run than my gas boiler?
This genuinely depends on the property's insulation, the current cost difference between electricity and gas, and how well the system is sized and set up — there's no single honest answer that applies to every home, so it's worth an honest, property-specific assessment rather than a headline figure from an advert.
Do I need to replace all my radiators to get a heat pump?
Not necessarily — some radiators in a property are already generously sized and will work fine at a lower flow temperature; others, particularly in rooms that already struggled to heat up on the old system, may need upsizing. The heat-loss survey identifies which is which, rather than assuming either a wholesale replacement or none at all.
Is an air source heat pump noisy?
Modern units are considerably quieter than early heat pump models, broadly comparable to a modern air conditioning condenser, but the outdoor unit does make some operating noise, so position — away from a bedroom window or a neighbour's boundary where reasonably possible — is still worth planning at the survey stage.
Are there grants available for installing a heat pump?
Government grant schemes for heat pump installation do exist and change from time to time, so rather than quote a figure that may be out of date by the time you read this, it's worth asking directly what's currently available — MCS-standard installation and certification (which Rainbow Fix Ltd's installations meet) is typically a requirement for any such scheme, regardless of which one applies at the time.
How long does an air source heat pump installation take?
A straightforward installation in a property that doesn't need radiator upsizing typically takes a few days; a property needing several radiators changed or a hot water cylinder installed for the first time takes longer. The heat-loss survey is what turns this from a guess into an actual timeline for your specific property.
Related Services
Local, Straightforward, Upfront About Pricing
Rainbow Fix Ltd is based in Marlow, covering Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and surrounding areas. You'll deal with Roman directly — every job gets a plain-English diagnosis and a price agreed before any work starts.