Can Heat Pumps Cool Your Home?
Some can. An air to air heat pump cools as well as heats, because it is the same technology as air conditioning run in reverse. Most air to water heat pumps in the UK, the ones that feed radiators and hot water, are set up for heating only. Ground source systems can offer gentle passive cooling. So whether a heat pump cools your home comes down to which type you fit.
Quick Answer
Some heat pumps can cool. Air to air heat pumps cool a room like air conditioning. Most air to water heat pumps, which feed radiators and hot water, are heating-only in the UK. Ground source heat pumps can provide passive cooling. If cooling matters to you, an air to air unit is the usual choice.
Guidance as of early 2026, based on UK heat pump practice.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Which heat pumps can cool?
Cooling depends entirely on the type of heat pump and how it is set up. A heat pump moves heat in one direction to warm your home, and a reversible one can run that cycle backwards to take heat out instead.
| Heat Pump Type | Can It Cool? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air to air | Yes | Heats and cools like air conditioning, room by room |
| Air to water (radiators) | Usually not | Most UK installs are heating only |
| Air to water with fan coils | Sometimes | Active cooling possible with the right setup, not common |
| Ground source | Passive cooling | Can circulate cool ground temperatures gently |
See the full breakdown of air to air heat pumps and how they differ from air to water systems.
Heat pump vs air conditioner
An air to air heat pump and an air conditioning unit are essentially the same machine. The difference is that a heat pump is designed and optimised to run efficiently in heating mode through a UK winter as well as cooling in summer, so a single unit covers both. A pure air conditioner is built mainly for cooling. For a home that wants year-round comfort from one system, an air to air heat pump is the two-in-one option.
Want heating and cooling from one system?
An MCS-certified installer can advise whether air to air suits your home. Get free quotes near you.
Get a Quote →Cost of a cooling heat pump
An air to air heat pump that heats and cools typically costs less to fit than a full air to water system, because there are no radiators or hot water cylinder to connect. A single-room system starts in the low thousands, and a multi-room setup costs more depending on how many indoor units you need. It does not heat your hot water, though, so many homes pair it with a separate solution. See the full heat pump cost breakdown.
Do cooling heat pumps qualify for grants?
This is the catch. The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme is aimed at air to water and ground source heat pumps that provide heating and hot water, so a pure air to air cooling unit does not usually qualify. Air to water and ground source systems, which mostly heat rather than cool, are the ones the grant supports. See heat pump grants for what is covered.
Heat Pump Cooling FAQ
Can heat pumps cool your home?
Some can. An air to air heat pump cools like air conditioning. Most air to water heat pumps in the UK, the ones feeding radiators and hot water, are heating only. Ground source systems can offer gentle passive cooling. It depends on the type you fit.
Can an air source heat pump provide cooling?
An air to air air source heat pump cools as well as heats. Most air to water air source heat pumps are set up for heating only in the UK, though active cooling is technically possible with fan coil units in some setups.
Is a heat pump the same as air conditioning?
An air to air heat pump and an air conditioner are essentially the same machine. The heat pump is optimised to heat efficiently through a UK winter as well as cool in summer, so one unit covers both, whereas a pure air conditioner is built mainly for cooling.
Do cooling heat pumps qualify for the £7,500 grant?
Usually not. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme supports air to water and ground source heat pumps that provide heating and hot water. A pure air to air cooling unit does not normally qualify.
Can a ground source heat pump cool a house?
Yes, gently. A ground source heat pump can provide passive cooling by circulating the naturally cool temperature of the ground, which takes the edge off summer heat without running a full cooling cycle.
Which heat pump is best for cooling?
An air to air heat pump is the usual choice if cooling matters, because it heats and cools room by room like air conditioning. If you mainly want heating and hot water with grant support, an air to water or ground source system is the better fit.
Find a heat pump installer near you
An MCS-certified installer can advise whether heating-only or a cooling air to air system fits your home.
Related Guides
Air to Air Heat Pumps
Warm-air heat pumps vs air to water: cost, cooling, and grant eligibility.
Air Source Heat Pumps
Cost, best brands, running costs, and pros and cons for UK homes.
Heat Pump Cost
Full price breakdown by type and home size, plus running costs.
Heat Pump Grants
The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Scotland grants, and 0% VAT.
Sources
Last updated: June 2026
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He researches every battery and inverter brand against manufacturer datasheets, MCS and Ofgem data, and feedback from the MCS-certified installers in our directory before publishing.
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