Commercial heat pumps: an expert guide to decarbonising your business
Air source heat pumps are a well-established and widely used smart upgrade, helping a wide range of businesses decarbonise their premises by up to 70%. In fact, if your premises can be heated with a traditional appliance, they can almost certainly be heated with a heat pump.
To unpack what that means, we spoke with our Operations Director, Max Waddingham, who oversees our commercial heat pump projects across the UK.
Here’s what the heat pump experts want you to know.
Our ‘How do heat pumps work’ video below explains things from the perspective of a home, but all the same principles apply to a business.
Air source heat pumps use ambient heat from the air to heat buildings and provide hot water. The best part is that they produce more heat than they consume electricity, making them highly energy efficient.
While electricity supplements this heating to ensure consistent temperatures throughout a building, the primary energy source is naturally occurring. And, as the technology improves and fossil fuel price fluctuations continue to disrupt markets, heat pumps are on course to become the cheapest, lowest carbon form of heating available.
Is it worth getting a heat pump on a commercial building?
Heating and hot water are major sources of carbon emissions in buildings, accounting for nearly a third (32%) of the total carbon emissions in the UK. And for typical commercial buildings that need to keep a warm, comfortable temperature for staff and customers (rather than an air-conditioned gym or storage space), heating is often the single biggest source of fossil fuel use.
With more grants and funding options available than ever before (including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, regional and national decarbonisation funding), there’s never been a better time for businesses to invest in low-carbon heating. What’s more, if you pair a heat pump installation with solar panels and a 100% renewable electricity tariff, you can fully decarbonise your energy, making your supply low carbon, high performance and financially strategic.
[Button: Why installing a heat pump is a smart business investment]
What kinds of buildings are best suited to an air source heat pump?
Air source heat pumps are well suited to a wide range of commercial buildings, from schools and retail units to hospitality venues and leisure centres. Commercial heat pump units are typically taller than domestic models and feature dual fans to deliver greater output.
Smaller sites without much room for heating equipment can often be accommodated with compact units, while larger buildings may require multiple units working in tandem to meet higher heat demands.
Our systems are best suited to properties with a heat load of up to 70–75kW, but if you’re unsure where your business falls, don’t worry – our team will carefully assess your space, usage and building fabric to design the most effective solution. What’s more, we specialise in the kind of bespoke installs other suppliers often avoid, so if you’re in doubt, reach out.
Do I need insulation to get a heat pump on my commercial building?
Insulation, double glazing and layout can all help reduce heat pump running costs – but they’re not make-or-break. We can design an effective heat pump system for almost any building, even listed or older properties, and we’ll tailor the system to strike the right balance between heating, energy usage, decarbonisation goals, and cost for your requirements.
How long does a heat pump installation take, and will it cause disruption?
Commercial heat pump installation typically takes four to 15 days, depending on the building’s size and complexity – for example, a recent Good Energy survey for a three-storey NHS site estimated the install would take just nine days to complete.
We focus on minimising disruption, working closely with building operators and their schedules to keep heating and hot water downtime to a minimum. A short amount of downtime is necessary to disconnect the existing appliance, but we always aim to have your hot water back within a day.
Is it difficult to install a commercial heat pump?
For most businesses, air source heat pumps are a simple, sensible upgrade.
Some buildings may need a grid upgrade which usually involves moving from single-phase to three-phase electricity. We’ll liaise directly with your local DNO (Distribution Network Operator) and factor any delays into the timeline, though they may need to speak with the building owner or operator directly.
Otherwise, some installations may require planning permission, which is assessed during the design and survey stages. We’ll advise you on what’s needed and guide you through the next steps if permission is required.
How much does a commercial air source heat pump cost to run?
Heat pumps are three to four times more efficient than traditional heating systems. And, when paired with solar panels and a smart tariff, they can beat gas on cost too. Your average running costs will depend on your building efficiency and your tariff structure; as well as whether you have, or are planning, solar panels.
Our team design heat pump systems with smart tariffs and usage patterns in mind, tailoring strategies around your off-peak rates.
Good Energy commercial heat pump installation
With over 25 years of experience in clean energy, Good Energy is one of Britain’s original 100% renewable electricity suppliers. Today, we install heat pumps, solar panels, batteries and EV chargers nationwide. We only use premium hardware from trusted brands, backed by long-term warranties and a dedicated service, earning us 4.8 stars on Which? Trusted Trader and 5 stars on Trustpilot.
With MCS certified, TrustMark endorsed and Gas Safe registered engineers, you can count on expert installation and lasting support. From tailored servicing packages to proactive energy efficiency advice, we’re here to keep your system running smoothly.
Whether your priority is cutting carbon, future-proofing your business against rising energy costs, or doing your part for the planet, a heat pump can deliver tangible long-term value for your organisation.
