Home energy upgrade
Exhaust Air Heat Pump
An exhaust air heat pump recovers heat from your home's extracted ventilation air to provide space heating and hot water — a compact, low-carbon solution well suited to modern flats and airtight new-build properties.
Step by step
How Exhaust Air Heat Pump installation works
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A certified surveyor assesses your home's ventilation flows, insulation, and hot-water demand to confirm suitability.
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An MCS-certified installer designs the system — typically a single indoor unit connected to the existing or new ventilation ducting.
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The unit is installed and integrated with your hot-water cylinder and heating distribution; work usually takes one to two days.
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The system is commissioned, tested, and handed over with an MCS certificate, warranty documentation, and guidance on controls.
Why it's worth it
Benefits of Exhaust Air Heat Pump
- Extracts free heat from stale extracted air, reducing energy bills compared with a direct electric system
- No outdoor unit required — suitable for flats, apartments, and homes without external space
- Combines mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and hot-water production in a single unit
- 0% VAT on supply and installation under the UK energy-saving materials relief
- Lower carbon emissions than gas or direct electric heating where the grid is increasingly renewable
- MCS certification required — ensures equipment and installation meet recognised quality standards
What to budget
Typical cost
Costs vary significantly depending on property size, existing systems, and installer. A surveyor's assessment will give you an accurate figure. Available grants (listed below) can substantially reduce the net cost.
Is this right for you?
Ideal for
- Modern flats or apartments with a whole-home mechanical ventilation system
- New-build or well-insulated airtight homes where a whole-home ASHP is impractical
- Properties without an outdoor area for a conventional heat pump unit
- Homeowners in Scotland who may be eligible for Home Energy Scotland support
Financial support
Grants you may qualify for
0% VAT on Energy-Saving Materials
0% VATSolar panels, heat pumps, insulation, and other qualifying energy-saving measures are zero-rated for VAT — saving 20% on supply and installation costs UK-wide.
Home Energy Scotland Grant & Loan
ScotlandHomeowners in Scotland may qualify for grants and interest-free loans toward heat pumps and other renewable heating systems via Home Energy Scotland.
Ready to go?
Find MCS-certified Exhaust Air Heat Pump installers near you
Compare MCS-certified specialists in your area, check their credentials, and book a free assessment worth £380.
