You've probably seen "heat pumps from £500" advertised. Here's what those adverts don't say: that price uses an English grant scheme that doesn't apply in Scotland. The Scottish route is actually more generous, up to £7,500 (£9,000 for rural homes) plus an interest-free loan, but it works differently, and you apply for it yourself. We're the installer that explains it straight and walks you through every step.
Your grant, system size and honest running costs in 90 seconds, assumptions visible, no contact details needed.
The Scottish Heat Pump Grant: What's Actually Available
Home Energy Scotland provides a grant of £7,500 towards an air source heat pump (ASHP), rising to £9,000 if your home qualifies as rural. On a typical installation, that's most of the cost covered.
Up to a further £7,500 as an optional 0% loan for the remainder, meaning many straightforward homes install with little or nothing upfront.
Unlike the English scheme, the HES grant is homeowner-led, the application is made by you, through Home Energy Scotland. That trips a lot of people up, so we've turned it into a service: we guide your application step by step, from the first HES call to the funding confirmation, then handle everything technical from survey to sign-off.
Honest Running Costs: Including the Bit That's Uncomfortable
We install both boilers and heat pumps, so we've no reason to oversell either. The truth about heat pump running costs:
Our 90-second checker shows your numbers honestly, including a design-quality slider so you can see exactly why the installer you choose changes the bills you pay.
What a Heat Pump Installation Involves
We confirm your likely grant, then walk you through the HES application
Real sizing, not a guess; we'll tell you if any radiators need upsizing and whether your cylinder needs replacing
By our MCS-certified team, timescale confirmed at your survey
Commissioning, controls walkthrough, MCS paperwork for your grant compliance, and local aftercare
How Much Does an Air Source Heat Pump Cost in Scotland?
Every figure is confirmed by the heat loss survey, and the grant maths is shown in your written quote, one page, no fog.
Boiler or Heat Pump? Ask the Firm That Fits Both
Heat pump vs gas boiler: if your boiler is over 12 years old, it’s the question worth an honest hour. A heat-pump-only company will sell you a heat pump; a boiler company will sell you a boiler. We install both, so you'll get a straight comparison including the grant maths, and our recommendation will be the one that suits your home, not our stockroom.
Try the boiler tool →No Wet Central Heating? Read This First
If your home runs on electric panel heaters or storage heating, common in flats, an air-to-air heat pump (modern air conditioning that heats and cools) can be a far cheaper installation with excellent efficiency, though it doesn't qualify for the HES grant. We install those too, and we'll tell you honestly which route fits.
Air conditioning →Heat Pump FAQs
Your likely grant, system size and honest running costs, assumptions visible, no contact details needed.
Run the checker →Or call 01506 894600 and ask for a funding chat.
How much does a heat pump cost in Scotland after the grant?
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Every installation is priced individually at survey; with the £7,500 HES grant (£9,000 rural) plus the optional 0% loan, many straightforward homes install with little or nothing upfront. Your exact figure follows a free heat loss survey.
What heat pump grant is available in Scotland?
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Home Energy Scotland provides £7,500 (£9,000 rural) plus an optional £7,500 interest-free loan. This is Scotland's scheme, the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme you may have seen advertised applies to England and Wales only.
Who applies for the grant: me or the installer?
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You do, the HES grant is homeowner-led, unlike the English scheme where the installer claims it. It's straightforward with guidance, and guiding it is part of our service.
Do heat pumps work in Scottish winters?
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Yes, they're standard heating in Norway and Sweden, in climates colder than ours. Modern units deliver useful heat well below freezing; correct sizing for your home's heat loss is what matters, which is why we survey room by room.
Will it be cheaper to run than my gas boiler?
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Honestly: at average installation quality, roughly similar. A well-designed system on a heat-pump tariff typically does better. Coming from oil, LPG or electric heating, savings are usually substantial. Our checker shows your case with the assumptions visible.
Will I need new radiators?
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Sometimes, heat pumps run at lower temperatures, so some rooms need larger radiators. Your survey identifies exactly which, priced individually, before you commit to anything.
Do I need to insulate first?
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HES generally expects basic insulation to be in place, and it genuinely improves how the system performs. If yours needs work, funding can support that too, we'll flag it during your funding check rather than after your install.
How long does installation take?
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Timescale confirmed at your survey for a straightforward retrofit, including cylinder work and commissioning.
What's the difference between air-to-water and air-to-air?
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Air-to-water replaces your boiler, feeding radiators and hot water, and qualifies for the HES grant. Air-to-air heats rooms directly (and cools in summer) at a lower install cost, without grant eligibility. We install both and will recommend honestly.
My boiler still works: should I wait?
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A working boiler buys you time to do this properly: apply for funding, survey, and install on your schedule rather than in a December emergency. Ideal timing is spring to autumn, and grant funding windows are best used while they're open.
Are heat pumps worth it in Scotland?
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Honestly, it’s a three-way answer. The £7,500–£9,000 grant changes the maths; design quality decides the bills (a properly designed system runs far better than the national average, an installer choice, not luck); and the fuel you’re switching from decides the savings, oil, LPG and electric switchers usually gain most, while mains-gas homes should weigh the numbers with the grant included.
Check Your Funding in 90 Seconds
Your likely grant, system size and honest running costs, assumptions visible, no contact details needed. Run the checker → Or call 01506 894600 and ask for a funding chat.