Case Study: Heat Pump Installation in a Victorian Semi in Egham

The Challenge of Heating Victorian Homes Without Gas

Victorian houses are full of character, but they can also come with energy challenges. Solid walls, older layouts, and outdated heating systems often leave homeowners facing high gas bills and inconsistent comfort.

This was exactly the case for one homeowner in Egham. Their semi-detached Victorian home already had double glazing and loft insulation, but it was still heated by an old combi boiler. They wanted to move away from gas, cut their carbon footprint, and find a heating system that would keep their home reliably warm for years to come.

The challenge was clear: how to deliver comfort and efficiency in a traditional home that hadn’t had extensive modern insulation upgrades.

The Installation

Working closely with the homeowner, our team designed a renewable heating system to replace the old gas boiler entirely.

The solution combined:

• A Samsung 8kW R290 Monobloc heat pump to provide both heating and hot water, paired with a 200-litre Joule Cyclone high-gain hot water cylinder in the utility room.

• A Homely smart thermostat to optimise comfort and keep energy bills under control.

• A full radiator upgrade (high-efficiency double panel, double convector Kartell K2 radiators), carefully sized for each room to match the heat loss calculations. This ensures the home stays warm even on the coldest days.

  
  

The works included:

• Decommissioning and removing the old combi boiler.

• Installing the external heat pump on innovative anti-vibration mounting feet at the back of the house.

• Re-piping and fitting radiators throughout the house.

• Installing and commissioning the hot water cylinder.

• Adding new controls and smart optimisation.

  
  

Yes, this meant some disruption - floors had to be lifted, pipework re-routed, and redecorating left for later. But within two weeks, the whole system was installed and running smoothly.

Homeowner Feedback on the Heat Pump Installation

For the homeowner, the benefits were clear straight away:

• “The people working were fabulous and everything was tidied up in the evenings.”

• “When there was a decision to be made about where a radiator would go, people were careful to check with me.”

• “The hot water now flows much more quickly than with the combi boiler.”

  
  

In short: while the installation was a big job, the experience was made easier by a considerate, professional team - and the result was better comfort than before.

The Outcome

• The home now has a renewable, low-carbon heating system that will last for decades.

• Hot water performance has actually improved compared to the old gas boiler.

• The property is now future-proofed against rising energy costs and new climate policies.

• The homeowner was eligible for the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant, reducing the upfront cost.

  
  

Heat Pump Installation Lessons for other Victorian Homes in Egham

There are many Victorian homes like this one in and around Egham - semi-detached, solid-walled, with similar layouts and construction.

This project demonstrates that:

• A heat pump is absolutely viable in this type of home, even without external wall insulation.

• Radiator upgrades are usually essential, but the result is improved comfort and efficiency.

• While disruption is part of the process, having a considerate, professional team makes all the difference.

If you live in Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire or West London and you’d like to explore whether a heat pump could work for your home, book a Discovery call and we’d be happy to talk it through with you. Prefer to complete our online questionnaire? You can do so here.

FAQs About Heat Pump Installation in Victorian Homes

Can you install a heat pump in a Victorian house?

Yes, you can. Many Victorian homes, even those with solid walls and no major insulation upgrades, are suitable for heat pumps. The key is to design the system correctly, with radiators sized to match the heat loss of each room. Our case study in Egham shows that even without external wall insulation, a heat pump can keep a Victorian semi warm and comfortable.

Do I need to replace my radiators for a heat pump?

In most older homes, radiator upgrades are likely. Heat pumps work at lower water temperatures than gas boilers, so larger or more efficient radiators are needed to deliver the same level of comfort. While this can mean more work during installation, the result is a system that runs efficiently and keeps your home cosy all year round.

Will a heat pump give me enough hot water?

Yes. With the right hot water cylinder, heat pumps can provide reliable hot water for showers, baths, and everyday use. In fact, many customers notice an improvement compared to their old combi boilers - as our Egham homeowner experienced with faster hot water flow.

What support is available to help with the cost?

Through the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), we handle the grant application on behalf of eligible homeowners and deduct it directly from the installation cost - so you don’t have to worry about the paperwork. Combined with VAT-free installation, this makes renewable heating more affordable than ever.