Why summer is the best time to install a heat pump
- Leah Robson
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
If you are considering upgrading your home heating system, summer might not seem like the obvious time to act. However, it is actually one of the most strategic moments to install a heat pump, especially if you want to make the most of government support and avoid the winter rush.
Avoid the autumn and winter rush
Demand for heat pump installations typically spikes as temperatures begin to drop and homeowners start worrying about older boilers. This seasonal surge often leads to:
Longer waiting times for surveys and installations
Reduced installer availability and flexibility on dates
More pressure on supply chains for kit and components
By choosing to install your heat pump in summer, you can secure your preferred survey and installation dates and avoid unnecessary delays. Installers generally have more flexibility in their diaries, which allows for a more thorough, less rushed process and a better overall experience.
Ensure your system is fully winter‑ready
Installing a heat pump is not just about fitting the outdoor unit and connecting a few pipes. It involves proper system design, potential radiator or cylinder upgrades, and making sure your home is set up to maximise efficiency.
A summer installation gives you time to:
Design the system carefully around your property and how you actually use it
Test and optimise performance before peak heating season
Identify and resolve any teething issues early
Get comfortable with the new controls and how your system operates
This means you head into autumn and winter with a tried‑and‑tested system, rather than switching on a brand‑new set‑up for the first time on the coldest day of the year.
Less disruption to your day‑to‑day comfort
Even with a smooth install, there is always some disruption when you change a heating system. Pipework may need adapting, radiators might be upgraded, and your old boiler will eventually be taken out.
Doing this in the warmer months means:
You are not depending on your heating system day‑to‑day
Short periods without heating or hot water are much less of an issue
Outdoor work, such as laying ground loops or positioning the external unit, is easier and more predictable for engineers
In contrast, a winter installation can be more stressful, especially if your existing boiler fails and you are suddenly without reliable heating while work is underway.
Maximise efficiency from day one
Heat pumps work best when they are properly designed and commissioned with the right flow temperatures, controls and heat emitters. A summer installation allows time to fine‑tune settings before the system has to work at full capacity.
With that extra runway you can:
Gradually adjust flow temperatures to find the most efficient settings
Optimise room‑by‑room comfort without rushing
Monitor energy use and understand how the system performs
By the time the colder weather arrives, your heat pump will be dialled in and running efficiently, helping to keep your bills and carbon emissions down.
Get ahead of rising energy costs with a summer heat pump installation
Energy prices remain a concern for many UK households, and winter is when usage – and bills – peak. Installing a heat pump ahead of time allows you to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels before the most expensive period of the year.
Acting in summer can help you:
Cut gas or oil use before winter, when you lean most on your heating
Reduce exposure to price spikes and volatility in fossil fuel costs
Improve your home’s EPC rating and overall energy performance
If you also have, or are considering, solar PV and a home battery, planning these technologies together can make the whole system more cost‑effective.
Make the most of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
In England and Wales, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) currently offers £7,500 towards the cost of installing an air source or ground source heat pump, and £5,000 for a biomass boiler. Each property can receive one grant, and the money is paid directly to your installer as an upfront discount on your quote, rather than to you as cash.
However, each application comes with its own deadlines. Once Ofgem approves your installer’s BUS application and you have given consent, they normally have three months to complete an air source heat pump or biomass installation, and six months for a ground source heat pump. There is also a time limit on when the final claim can be made after the system is commissioned, which your installer manages as part of the process.
Planning your heat pump project in summer makes it much easier to line up surveys, paperwork and installation so everything is completed comfortably within those time limits. You are more likely to secure the funding you are entitled to and have the system commissioned well before you need it to work hard in winter.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme: key facts
Thinking about a heat pump? The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) can significantly cut the upfront cost of going low‑carbon.
What is it?
A government grant that gives property owners money towards replacing fossil fuel boilers with low‑carbon heating such as heat pumps and, in some cases, biomass boilers.
How much can you get?
At the time of writing, you can get up to £7,500 (£9,000 for oil and LPG homes) off the cost and installation of an air source or ground source heat pump.
Who is it for?
It is available to homeowners and small business owners in England and Wales, including landlords, for eligible existing properties. New builds are generally excluded, with some exceptions for genuine self‑builds.
How does it work?
Your MCS‑certified installer applies on your behalf. If the application is approved, the grant is paid straight to them and deducted from your invoice, reducing the amount you pay.
Key timelines
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is confirmed to run until at least April 2028, but it operates with a fixed budget and applications are processed on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Once your application is approved and you have given consent, installations usually need to be completed within three months for air source systems (six months for ground source), and the final claim has to be made within a set number of days after commissioning.
Planning your project in summer gives you the best chance of securing funding, meeting all the scheme deadlines and having everything installed and signed off well before you need heating full‑time.
Enjoy year‑round comfort – including summer
Many modern air‑to‑water heat pumps can provide cooling as well as heating when paired with the right emitters and controls. Even where active cooling is not used, heat pumps can manage temperatures more evenly, helping to avoid hot and cold spots in the home.
By installing in summer you can:
Start benefiting from improved comfort straight away
Experiment with settings and schedules when the stakes are low
Head into winter confident that your system is ready
A smarter, stress‑free upgrade
Ultimately, installing a heat pump in summer is about being proactive rather than reactive. You have more choice over dates, more time to optimise your system, and a smoother path to securing available grants.
Instead of rushing to replace a boiler in the middle of winter, you can plan your transition to low‑carbon heating on your terms, and enter the colder months with a reliable, efficient system already in place.
Ready to explore a heat pump for your home?
At Your Energy Your Way, we design and install heat pump systems tailored to your property and how you live. If you would like to understand your options, check your eligibility for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and get ahead of the winter rush, get in touch to book a survey and start your summer installation plan.
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