Commercial · Heat Pumps
Decarbonised heat without breaking the building.
Air and ground-source systems for offices, schools, healthcare and warehouses. We size for the building you have, the SCOP you need, and the disruption window you can afford.
Why Commercial Heat Pumps?
Heat pumps are the most efficient and sustainable way to heat commercial buildings, delivering significant cost and carbon savings.
3-4x More Efficient
Heat pumps achieve 300-400% efficiency (COP 3-4), delivering 3-4 units of heat for every unit of electricity. Gas boilers are only 90% efficient at best.
Dramatic Carbon Reduction
Heat pumps typically reduce heating carbon emissions by 60-80% compared to gas boilers, with the gap widening as the electricity grid decarbonises.
Meet Net Zero Targets
Electrifying heating is essential for corporate net zero commitments. Heat pumps are the primary technology for decarbonising commercial heating.
Enhanced Capital Allowances
Claim 100% first-year tax relief on qualifying heat pump equipment through Enhanced Capital Allowances, reducing your effective cost significantly.
Future-Proof Against Gas Phase-Out
New gas boilers will be banned in new commercial buildings from 2025. Installing a heat pump now future-proofs your heating system.
Heating & Cooling
Many heat pump systems can provide cooling as well as heating, eliminating the need for separate air conditioning systems.
Types of Commercial Heat Pumps
Different heat pump technologies suit different applications and site conditions.
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
The most common choice for commercial buildings. Extract heat from outdoor air and can work efficiently even in cold temperatures down to -20°C.
- Lower installation cost than ground source
- No groundworks required
- Easier retrofit for existing buildings
- Heating and cooling from one system
- Suitable for most commercial applications
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)
Extract heat from the ground via boreholes or horizontal collectors. Higher efficiency and more consistent performance than air source.
- Higher efficiency (COP 4-5)
- Consistent performance year-round
- Quieter operation (no outdoor fan)
- Longer lifespan (25+ years)
- Requires land or drilling space
Water Source Heat Pumps
Extract heat from rivers, lakes, or aquifers. Highly efficient where water sources are available.
- Very high efficiency
- Consistent water temperatures
- Requires suitable water source
- Regulatory permissions needed
High-Temperature Heat Pumps
Specialist units that deliver higher output temperatures (up to 80°C) for industrial processes or buildings with older heating systems.
- Compatible with existing radiators
- Suitable for process heat
- No need to upgrade heat emitters
- Lower efficiency than standard heat pumps
Commercial Heat Pump Applications
Heat pumps are suitable for a wide range of commercial buildings and applications.
Offices
Efficient heating and cooling for modern office buildings. Heat pumps improve EPC ratings and meet tenant sustainability expectations.
Retail & Hospitality
Hotels, restaurants, and retail premises benefit from combined heating and cooling, plus hot water generation.
Industrial
High-temperature heat pumps can provide process heat for manufacturing. Standard heat pumps heat offices and amenity areas.
Schools & Universities
Ideal for educational buildings with Salix funding available for public sector. Educational value for sustainability curriculum.
Healthcare
Reliable heating for healthcare facilities, supporting NHS Net Zero commitments. Can provide both heating and cooling.
Public Sector
Council buildings, community centres, and public facilities. Salix funding and procurement framework compliant installations.
Key Considerations
Successful commercial heat pump installations require careful planning and design.
Building Heat Loss Assessment
Heat pumps work most efficiently at lower flow temperatures (35-45°C vs 70-80°C for gas boilers). We assess your building's heat loss and recommend any fabric improvements or heat emitter upgrades needed for optimal performance.
Existing System Compatibility
Heat pumps work best with underfloor heating, fan coil units, or oversized radiators. We assess compatibility with your existing heating distribution system and recommend any necessary modifications.
Space Requirements
Air source heat pumps require outdoor space for the external unit(s), with adequate clearance for airflow and maintenance. Ground source systems need land for boreholes or horizontal loops.
Noise Considerations
Air source heat pumps generate some noise from the outdoor fan unit. We carefully specify units and locations to meet planning requirements and avoid disturbance to neighbours or building occupants.
Grants & Incentives for Commercial Heat Pumps
Enhanced Capital Allowances
Claim 100% first-year tax relief on qualifying heat pump equipment. This significantly reduces the effective cost of commercial heat pump installations.
Available to all businesses paying corporation tax.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Up to £7,500 grant for smaller commercial installations meeting eligibility criteria. Primarily aimed at small businesses and residential-scale commercial properties.
MCS installation required.
Salix Finance (Public Sector)
Interest-free loans for public sector organisations including schools, NHS, and local authorities. Pays back from energy savings.
For public sector only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Heat pumps are typically 300-400% efficient (COP 3-4), meaning they deliver 3-4 units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed. Gas boilers are around 90% efficient at best. Even accounting for higher electricity prices per kWh, heat pumps usually deliver lower running costs, especially when combined with solar PV or time-of-use tariffs.
Yes, modern air source heat pumps work efficiently down to -20°C or lower. Performance does reduce slightly in very cold weather, which we account for in system design. Ground source heat pumps are even more consistent as ground temperatures remain stable year-round (around 10°C). We design systems to deliver full heating capacity even in the coldest UK conditions.
Yes, many commercial heat pump systems are reversible, providing both heating in winter and cooling in summer from the same equipment. This is particularly valuable for offices and retail spaces that require year-round climate control. A single system replaces both a boiler and air conditioning.
Heat pumps work most efficiently at lower flow temperatures than gas boilers. In some cases, existing radiators may be adequate, especially if they were oversized for the building. In other cases, upgrading to larger radiators, adding radiators, or switching to underfloor heating may be recommended. Alternatively, high-temperature heat pumps can work with existing systems at higher flow temperatures, though with reduced efficiency.
Payback depends on current heating costs, system size, and funding. With Enhanced Capital Allowances reducing effective cost by the corporation tax rate, and savings on gas bills, typical paybacks range from 5-10 years. Combined with solar PV to power the heat pump, paybacks can be shorter. We provide detailed financial modelling for your specific situation.
Complete Building Decarbonisation
Combine heat pumps with other technologies for maximum impact.
Commercial Solar
Power your heat pump with free solar electricity, further reducing running costs and carbon emissions.
Battery Storage
Store cheap off-peak electricity to run your heat pump during peak periods, optimising costs.
Public Sector
Specialist heat pump solutions for schools, councils, and public buildings with Salix funding.
Our Accreditations
Ready to Decarbonise Your Heating?
Get a free assessment of your building's heating requirements and discover how a heat pump could reduce costs and carbon emissions.
Discuss Your Heat Pump Project Call 07944 275171