• Here are the stages of your heat pump test drive

    Circular close up photo of an eye

    Use our Augmented Reality (AR) tool on your smartphone or tablet to see what a range of heat pump equipment would look like in your own home.

    Circular close up photo of an ear

    Play the sound of a heat pump, with directions on how to set the right volume and listen to it in situ.

    Circular close up photo of a hand

    Guidance on how to set your condensing combi boiler to run in a similar way to a heat pump so you can feel what the heating is like.

    Circular close up photo of a heat pump

    So you've taken a heat pump for a test drive; here are your next steps. 

  • But first: why you should consider a heat pump

    Heat pumps don't generate heat like when you burn gas. Instead, they capture heat from the air (in the case of an air source pump), and move it into your house. For every 1 unit of electricity you put in, you capture and concentrate about 3 or more units of heat from the outside. This means that heat pumps don’t just let us use clean renewable electricity rather than burning fossil gas. They also reduce the total amount of energy we need to put into heating our homes. Nice!

  • A heat pump system has a number of parts

    Simple hand-drawn sketch of a heat pump

    The pump. This sits outside and captures the heat, then pumps it indoors.

    Simple hand-drawn sketch of a hot water tank and expansion vessel

    Most heat pump systems (and all that provide hot water for showers etc.) need a tank to store hot water.

    Simple hand-drawn sketch of a radiator

    Larger radiators may need to be fitted, along with some larger pipes, depending on what you have already. 

    Simple hand-drawn sketch of a smartphone

    A special control system, that works a bit differently to those used with other types of heating.

  • SO LET'S GET STARTED

    1. SEE

    Use our Augmented Reality (AR) tool to see what heat pump equipment would look like in your own space

    Using your smartphone or tablet, scan a QR code or visit the one of the links below. Now go to the real world location you would like to view the pump or tank (see positioning guidance further down). Click "View in AR" and your phone or tablet will go into camera mode. Point it at the ground where you want the pump or tank to appear. It can take a minute to load so be patient. When it appears, you can:

    • reposition it by holding and dragging with one finger
    • or rotate/resize it using two fingers (it should look about 1m wide - if it doesn't, try moving the pump slightly with one finger and the size should correct itself).

    Try viewing it from different angles. You can also take photos and videos to share on social media. Don't forget to tag @heatpumpchic!

  • Image of a small heat pump overlaid with a QR code

    Small pump (~5-12 kW)

    Scan or click this option if you have a small to medium (e.g. 1-3 bedroom) or better insulated home. See the positioning instructions above. (This doesn't show a particular model of heat pump, but is similar in size and form to some available on the market to give you a good idea of appearance.)

    Image of a large heat pump overlaid with a QR code

    Large pump (~12-20 kW)

    Scan or click this option if you have a larger (e.g. 4+ bedroom) and/or less well insulated home. See the positioning instructions above. (This doesn't show a particular model of heat pump, but is similar in size and form to some available on the market to give you a good idea of appearance.)

    Image of a wall-mounted small heat pump overlaid with a QR code

    Wall mounted small pump (~5-12 kw)

    Scan or click this option if you have a small to medium (e.g. 1-3 bedroom) or better insulated home, and are thinking about getting your heat pump installed at height. See the general positioning instructions above. (This doesn't show a particular model of heat pump, but is similar in size and form to some available on the market to give you a good idea of appearance.) Note that this visualisation shows a pump mounted with the lower edge 2m above the ground.

    Image of a hot water tank overlaid with a QR code

    Hot water tank (200 litre)

    Scan or click this option to see smaller to average sized tank. Typically it is positioned out of the way in a cupboard. It is also better for it to be near to your heat pump, so as little heat as possible is lost from the pipe connecting the two. For the AR view, you might find it easier just to put it in the middle of a room and get a good look at it!

    Image of a small heat pump with red marked clearance guidelines overlaid with a QR code

    Clearance guide

    Scan or click this option to see to a heat pump sitting on a guide to the clearance distances that are needed around it. Pumps shouldn't be positioned too close to surfaces like walls and fences because this can disrupt the air flow, reducing efficiency. Use this handy guide to check if your intended space is suitable. Note that these distances of for guidance only, and you should speak to your installer and check manufacturer guidelines.

  • Your heat pump should...

    Circular close up photo of a wall

    Be outside your house, ideally next to it to reduce pipework.

    Circular photo of the sky with clouds

    Have good air flow around it. It varies by model, but the back and sides should normally be at least 30cm (1 foot) away from obstructions, and 1.5m (5 feet) free of obstruction in front.

    Circular close up photo of small screwdrivers in a toolbox

    Be somewhere that is easy to access for maintenance.

    Circular close up photo of an ear

    Avoid spaces where the sound might cause disturbance, such as directly outside a bedroom or by a boundary to a neighbour.

  • 2. HEAR

    Modern heat pumps are very quiet. But it can be helpful in positioning to get an idea of the sound they make. 

    Simply click play on the audio track below to listen to the type of sound a modern heat pump makes when working at its hardest. How will you know you have the right volume? Read on for a guide - or to give you a rough idea, set it to be about the same as a quiet fridge.

     

    TOP TIP: If you have a Bluetooth speaker or second phone or tablet, put it where you plan to install your pump and play the sound on that. Walk around and listen to it from different positions.

  • To set the right volume...

    Circular close up photo of an analogue power meter

    Open an online decibel monitor or download an app (such as Sound Meter for Android or Decibel X for iOS).

    Circular close up photo of a loudspeaker

    Find somewhere quiet. Start playing the sound above on your speaker or second device, and measure the sound level 1 metre (3 feet) away from it.

    Circular close up photo of a mixing desk knob

    Adjust the volume of the sound until you have an average reading of about 50 dB. (This is similar to a quiet fridge, and quieter than many gas boilers.)

    Circular close up photo of an ear

    Now position the speaker or second device where you plan to place your heat pump, and take a listen!

  • 3. FEEL

    Instead of making your radiators scalding hot like a gas boiler, heat pumps make them warm for longer. Luckily, most modern boilers can be run in a way that simulates this so you can feel what it is like. Find out how here.

    1. This part of the test drive will involve turning down the "flow temperature" on your boiler. This is the temperature the boiler sends water to the radiators.
    2. The innovation agency Nesta have created an easy guide to how to do this. Follow the guide here >>> 
    3. In brief, first you will make sure you have a condensing gas combi boiler. The guide will help you to do this.
    4. Don’t make this adjustment if you have a hot water tank, because it has to be heated above a certain temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
    5. You will turn down the flow temperature using a knob or digital control on the front of the boiler.
    6. If you use a thermostat with a timer to control your heating, you will probably need to set it to come on earlier than usual as it will take longer to heat up. But it should still get as warm! If it doesn’t, try turning the flow temperature back up a bit.
  • NEXT STEPS

    Did you like what you saw, heard, and felt in the test drive? Here's what you can expect from the rest of the process of getting a heat pump.

    1

    Survey

    Installers will need to visit you home to assess what size of heat pump you need, as well as other aspects of the systems like tanks, piping, radiators, and controls. You will probably want to get several quotes.

    2

    Installation

    This can take several days depending on the amount of work involved. The installer will demonstrate how it works, and also give you commissioning and MCS installation certificates.

    3

    Operation

    Heat pumps work quite differently to gas boilers, and you will need to learn how to get the best out of them. That's why we're working on some "heat pump driving lessons" - watch this space!

  • Here are some recommended resources to inform the next steps on your heat pump journey

    A background guide to heat pumps from a trusted agency. Plus explore the site for information and ideas on how to make your home more energy efficient.

    Register your interest in this new service from Nesta and get notified about opportunities to see heat pumps in action in your local area, and chat to the owners about living with one. 

    Expert and impartial advice on home heating. The website has lots of free information, and you can also pay for different levels of bespoke advice. They provide a useful run-down of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

    This Government tool draws on basic information about your home to give you an idea if it is suitable for a heat pump. It then provides links to support schemes and further advice.

    Use this tool to explore how a heat pump could change your annual energy bills and carbon​ emissions (if you have a gas boiler). Tool by Fiona Hughes, Chris Warwick, and Green Heat Coop.

    This link will take you to a document with advice on how to go about choosing an installer and system. Also check out their CarbonWatch tool to see real-time carbon emissions from different heating technologies.

    ×
    Terms & Conditions
    Website usage terms and conditions (updated 16 Sep. 25)
    
    Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern pump:chic’s relationship with you in relation to this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website.
    The term ‘pump:chic’ or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the owner of the website. You can contact use at mike@pumpchic.com. The term ‘you’ refers to the user or viewer of our website.
    
    The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:
    •	The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.
    •	This website uses cookies to monitor browsing preferences. If you do allow cookies to be used, the following personal information may be stored by us for use by third parties: ClientIDs consisting of a string of numbers unique to each user on our website; number of times and time of day of previous visits to our website; information about how you found our website, your search and browser history; IP addresses.
    •	Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
    •	Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements.
    •	This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited other than in accordance with the copyright notice, which forms part of these terms and conditions.
    •	All trademarks reproduced in this website, which are not the property of, or licensed to the operator, are acknowledged on the website.
    •	Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offence.
    •	From time to time, this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s).
    •	Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.