More homeowners across Belfast, Lisburn and Holywood are exploring air source heat pumps as a way to reduce energy bills, lower their carbon footprint and future-proof their homes. But heat pumps aren't the right solution for every home — and we'll always tell you that honestly.
At Kelly Heating NI, we assess your property properly before recommending anything. If a heat pump is the right choice for you, we'll install it to the highest standard. If it isn't, we'll tell you that and point you toward what will work best for your home.
What Is an Air Source Heat Pump?
An air source heat pump is a heating system that extracts warmth from the outside air — even in cold weather — and uses it to heat your home and hot water. Unlike a gas or oil boiler, which burns fuel to generate heat, a heat pump moves existing heat, making it significantly more energy efficient.
For every unit of electricity a heat pump uses, it typically produces three to four units of heat. This ratio — the Coefficient of Performance (CoP) — is what makes heat pumps one of the most efficient heating options available for suitable homes.
Is Your Home Suitable for a Heat Pump?
This is the most important question, and one we take seriously. A heat pump installed in the wrong home, or sized incorrectly, will underperform and cost more to run. Here's what we look for:
- Good insulation: Loft and wall insulation in good condition — heat pumps work best in well-insulated homes that retain heat effectively.
- Double or triple glazing: Reduces heat loss and improves the efficiency of any low-temperature heating system.
- Reasonable EPC rating: Ideally C or above for best performance, though this isn't always a strict requirement.
- Outdoor space for the unit: The external unit needs a suitable location on a wall or in a garden — typically about 1m x 1m footprint.
- Larger radiators or underfloor heating: Heat pumps operate at lower flow temperatures than boilers, so larger radiators or underfloor heating gives better results.
Newer homes across Belfast and Holywood are often well suited. Older Victorian or Edwardian properties may need insulation improvements first — and we'll tell you this upfront, not after the installation.
The Benefits of an Air Source Heat Pump
Lower Running Costs
Once installed in a suitable home, heat pumps typically cost less to run than oil or gas boilers. As electricity tariffs for heat pump users improve over time, the running cost advantage increases.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Heat pumps produce no direct emissions at the point of use. Paired with a PV solar system, you can dramatically reduce your home's overall carbon output. Find out about our solar panel installation service →
Long Lifespan
A well-installed heat pump typically lasts 15–20 years with minimal maintenance — longer than most boilers.
Works in Cold Weather
Modern air source heat pumps are designed to operate efficiently even when outdoor temperatures drop well below zero — comfortably within the range of a Northern Ireland winter.
Low Maintenance
With fewer moving parts than a boiler, heat pumps require very little ongoing maintenance. An annual check is generally all that's needed.
Honest About the Drawbacks Too
We believe in giving you the full picture. Heat pumps are not right for every situation.
- Higher upfront cost: Installation costs are higher than a traditional boiler — though running costs are typically lower, and the gap narrows over time.
- Insulation requirements: A poorly insulated home will work against a heat pump. If significant insulation upgrades are needed first, we'll discuss this honestly.
- Larger radiators may be needed: In some homes, upgrading radiators or adding underfloor heating improves efficiency — we assess this before installation.
- Outdoor unit space: The external unit needs a suitable location — something we check on every site visit.
These aren't reasons to avoid a heat pump — they're questions to answer properly before proceeding. That's exactly what our assessment process does.
Do Heat Pumps Work in Cold Weather in Northern Ireland?
This is one of the most common questions Belfast homeowners ask — and it's a fair one given our climate. The short answer is yes, modern air source heat pumps are designed to operate effectively in cold weather, and Northern Ireland's climate is actually well-suited to them.
Most quality heat pumps today are rated to operate down to -20°C, and Northern Ireland rarely sees temperatures below -5°C even in the coldest winters. At typical Belfast winter temperatures of 2°C to 8°C, a well-specified heat pump runs efficiently and effectively. The technology has improved considerably over the last decade — the early concerns about cold-weather performance largely don't apply to modern systems.
The more important question for Belfast homeowners isn't whether a heat pump works in cold weather — it does — but whether your home is well enough insulated to make it cost-effective. A heat pump operates at lower flow temperatures than a gas or oil boiler, which means it needs a well-insulated building to maintain comfort without running constantly. In a well-insulated modern home or a property that has been properly upgraded, a heat pump will perform excellently through a Northern Ireland winter. In a poorly insulated older property, the running costs can be higher than expected.
This is exactly why Kieran carries out a proper assessment before recommending a heat pump. If insulation improvements are needed first to make the system worthwhile, we'll tell you that honestly — even if it means the job takes longer to get to.
The Installation Process
Initial Assessment
We visit your property, assess suitability honestly, discuss your options and answer your questions. No pressure, no obligation.
System Design
We calculate the correct size and specification for your home. Getting sizing right is critical — an undersized or oversized system will never perform properly.
Clear Quotation
You receive a clear, itemised quote. We don't add hidden costs and we don't cut corners to bring the price down.
Installation
Full installation — external unit positioning, pipework, cylinder installation if required, controls and commissioning. Most domestic heat pump installations take two to three days.
Handover & Aftercare
We walk you through the system fully before we leave so you understand how to use it effectively and get the most from it. We're contactable for questions afterwards.
Why Choose Kelly Heating NI for Heat Pump Installation?
- Heat pump qualified installer
- 20+ years in domestic heating across Greater Belfast
- Gas Safe Registered No. 557696 and OFTEC certified
- Honest suitability assessments — no hard sell
- We don't install heat pumps in homes where they won't perform well
- Correct sizing — critical to long-term performance
- Covering Belfast, Lisburn, Holywood and Greater Belfast
Frequently Asked Questions — Heat Pumps Belfast
A typical domestic heat pump installation in Belfast falls in the range of £8,000–£15,000, depending on property size and the system specified. We provide a fully itemised quote following our property assessment.
Yes — modern heat pumps are designed to operate effectively down to -20°C, and Northern Ireland rarely drops below -5°C even in the coldest winters. The key factor for Belfast homeowners is not the temperature outside, but the insulation level of your home. A well-insulated property will benefit significantly from a heat pump year-round.
Yes. Modern air source heat pumps are designed to operate effectively at temperatures as low as -15°C or below, making them well suited to the Northern Ireland climate.
In the right home, yes. A heat pump can fully replace an oil or gas boiler. In some cases a hybrid system — where a heat pump works alongside an existing boiler as backup — is a practical intermediate step for older properties.
Most domestic heat pump installations are completed in two to three days, depending on the complexity of the work involved.
Not always. Heat pumps work at lower flow temperatures than boilers, so in some homes larger radiators improve efficiency. We assess this as part of our survey and include any required upgrades in your quote.
Yes — heat pumps and underfloor heating are an excellent combination. Underfloor heating is designed to work at the lower flow temperatures heat pumps produce most efficiently.
The key factors are insulation quality, glazing, available outdoor space for the unit, and whether your radiators or underfloor heating system can work at lower flow temperatures. We assess all of this on a site visit and give you a straight answer.