Heat Pump Brands UK: Reviewed & Compared (2026)
Independent reviews of the main air source heat pump brands installed in UK homes. Specs, SCOP figures, warranty, UK pricing and Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant context.
| Brand | Origin | SCOP | Warranty | Indicative UK cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaillant | Germany | 4.5+ at 35°C flow (aroTHERM plus, A7/W35) | 5 years standard; up to 10 years via accredited installer (G.A.S.) | £9,000–£14,000 installed before BUS grant (-£7,500) | Read review → |
| Daikin | Japan | 4.2–4.7 depending on model and conditions (Altherma 3 R, A7/W35) | 3 years standard; extendable to 7 years via accredited installer | £9,500–£14,500 installed before BUS grant | Read review → |
| Mitsubishi Ecodan | Japan | 4.3–4.6 (PUZ-WM, A7/W35) | 7 years standard on accredited installs (Mitsubishi Electric Hybrid+ programme) | £9,000–£13,500 installed before BUS grant | Read review → |
| NIBE | Sweden | 4.5+ at 35°C (S2125); 5.0+ on ground source (S1255) | 5 years standard; up to 10 years via VIP+ accredited installer | £10,000–£15,000 installed before BUS grant (air source); significantly more for ground source with boreholes | Read review → |
How to Choose a Heat Pump Brand
- Installer expertise: the best heat pump is one your installer fits regularly. Design errors cost more than brand differences
- Flow temperature: older UK homes with existing radiators often need 55–65°C flow. Not every brand does this well; check the specific model
- Refrigerant: R290 (Vaillant aroTHERM plus) has lower GWP and aligns with upcoming F-gas rules; R32 is still dominant and performs well
- SCOP: published SCOP should be at the flow temp your system will actually run at, not a cherry-picked 35°C figure
- Warranty: accredited installer programmes (Vaillant G.A.S., Mitsubishi Hybrid+, NIBE VIP+) extend cover well beyond standard
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 off an air source heat pump and £7,500 off a ground source heat pump on qualifying installations in England and Wales. All four brands above are eligible when installed by an MCS-certified installer.