Can You Get a Heat Pump in a Flat?
Yes. A flat typically needs a small 4 to 6 kW air source heat pump costing £7,000 to £9,000. After the £7,500 BUS grant, most flat owners pay £0 to £1,500, making flats the cheapest property type for a heat pump. But there are practical hurdles: freeholder permission, outdoor unit placement, and neighbour noise concerns.
Get your exact cost
Our heat pump calculator gives you a personalised estimate including the grant deduction and running costs for your flat.
What a heat pump costs in a flat
| Flat type | System size | Install cost | After £7,500 grant | Annual running cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed flat | 4 kW | £7,000 to £8,000 | £0 to £500 | £400 to £500 |
| 2 bed flat | 5 to 6 kW | £7,500 to £9,000 | £0 to £1,500 | £450 to £600 |
| 3 bed maisonette | 6 to 8 kW | £8,000 to £10,000 | £500 to £2,500 | £500 to £700 |
Costs from Energy Saving Trust. Running costs at Ofgem Q1 2026 rates (24.5p/kWh), assuming good insulation and COP 3.2. See our full cost breakdown by house type.
Flats have the lowest heat demand of any UK property type because they share walls, floors, and ceilings with neighbouring units. Only the external walls and windows lose heat to the outside. This means a smaller, cheaper heat pump that costs less to run. For many flat owners, the £7,500 grant covers the entire installation cost.
Getting freeholder permission
This is the biggest practical barrier. The outdoor unit needs to be mounted on an external wall, placed on a balcony, or positioned on shared ground near the building. All of these require freeholder or management company approval.
Check your lease first. Some leases explicitly prohibit external alterations. If yours does, you will need a formal lease variation (which the freeholder can grant but may charge for) or you will need to explore alternatives.
Write a formal request. Include what the unit looks like (typically 800mm x 600mm x 300mm, similar to an air conditioning unit), the noise level (40 to 50 dB at 1 metre, quieter than a conversation), that MCS installation standards require a noise assessment, and that the work is funded by a government grant. See our heat pump noise guide for the full decibel comparison to share with your freeholder.
Suggest a communal system. For blocks of flats, a communal heat pump system serving multiple units is often more practical than individual units. The freeholder installs one larger system and the cost is shared. This avoids multiple outdoor units and simplifies maintenance. Some housing associations and local authorities are already rolling out communal heat pump schemes.
Where to put the outdoor unit
External wall mount. The unit can be mounted on brackets on an external wall, similar to an air conditioning unit. This works for ground floor and low-rise flats. The wall must be structurally sound enough to support the weight (typically 50 to 80 kg).
Balcony. If you have a balcony, the unit can sit on the floor. It needs at least 300mm clearance on all sides for airflow. Check that your balcony can support the weight and that the noise will not disturb neighbours above or beside you.
Ground level. For ground floor flats, the unit can sit on a concrete pad in a garden or patio area. This is the simplest installation and keeps noise furthest from upper floor neighbours. You may need to fence or screen it for visual impact. See recommended anti-vibration pads to reduce noise transmission through the ground.
Noise considerations for flats
Noise is a bigger concern in flats than houses because neighbours are closer. A typical 4 to 6 kW unit produces 40 to 45 dB at 1 metre. At a neighbour's window (typically 3 to 5 metres in a flat), this drops to 32 to 38 dB, which is similar to a quiet library. See recommended sound level meters to check your specific situation before installation.
To minimise noise impact: choose a quiet model (Daikin and Vaillant models are rated as low as 38 dB), use anti-vibration mounts (essential for wall-mounted units to prevent vibration transmitting through the building structure), and position the unit away from neighbouring bedroom windows. Your MCS-certified installer must perform a noise assessment as part of the installation design. See our complete noise guide.
Alternatives if a heat pump is not possible
If your freeholder refuses or the building is unsuitable, consider these alternatives.
Air-to-air heat pump. These are smaller and can sometimes be installed with fewer objections. They provide heating and cooling but not hot water, so you still need an immersion heater or electric boiler for hot water. They are not eligible for the BUS grant.
High-efficiency electric radiators. Modern electric radiators with smart controls and thermal storage can be cost-effective in well-insulated flats. No external unit, no freeholder permission needed. Running costs are higher than a heat pump but lower than old storage heaters. See recommended smart electric radiators for flats.
Infrared heating panels. Ceiling or wall-mounted panels that heat objects directly rather than air. Very low running costs in well-insulated spaces. No installation beyond electrical connection. Worth considering for small, well-insulated flats. See recommended infrared heating panels.
Insulation matters even more in flats
Before installing any heating system, check your flat's insulation. Top-floor flats lose heat through the roof (just like houses). Ground-floor flats lose heat through the floor. All flats can lose heat through single-glazed windows and draughty doors. See recommended draught excluder strips for an immediate improvement.
Loft insulation (top-floor flats), window upgrades, and draught-proofing are all available through ECO4 for qualifying households. Calculate your insulation savings and check your grant eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a heat pump in a flat?
Yes. Costs £7,000 to £9,000, often £0 to £1,500 after the £7,500 grant. You need freeholder permission and must meet noise limits. Calculate your costs.
Do I need freeholder permission for a heat pump in a flat?
Yes, in almost all cases. Check your lease, then submit a formal request with noise data from our noise guide.
How much does a heat pump cost for a flat?
£7,000 to £9,000 installed, £0 to £1,500 after the grant. Running costs £400 to £600 per year. See all property costs.
What if my management company refuses?
Consider a communal system proposal, an air-to-air unit, or high-efficiency electric radiators as alternatives.
Data sources
Costs from Energy Saving Trust. Grant from GOV.UK BUS. Noise from MCS standards. See our methodology.