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TOPIC HUB 09 · PLANNING & INSTALLATION
Heat Pump Planning & Installation
Before a heat pump goes in, decisions need to be made about where it sits, what planning rules apply, how pipework and electrics reach it, and what happens during a survey. Getting these right early avoids delays and awkward compromises later.
- Topic hub
- Updated August 2026
- By Phil · Heat Loss Hub
WHAT TO SORT OUT EARLY
Outdoor unit position, planning rules, pipe routes and electrical supply all interact with each other. Deciding these together — rather than one at a time — avoids finding out partway through installation that a preferred position isn’t actually workable.
Outdoor unit position and noise
Position affects noise at the property boundary and at neighbouring windows, as well as pipe run length back to the property. An MCS noise assessment calculates whether a proposed position meets the required sound level at the nearest relevant window.
Permitted development, boundaries and conservation areas
Most domestic installations in England and Wales fall under permitted development and don’t need planning permission, provided distance-from-boundary and other conditions are met. Conservation areas and listed buildings can change this, sometimes requiring specific consent before work starts.
Condensate, mounting and the base
Outdoor units produce condensate, especially during defrost, and need a safe drainage route that won’t create ice hazards on paths in winter. A stable, level base or wall bracket suited to the unit’s weight is a small detail that’s easy to get wrong.
Pipe routes and electrical supply
Longer pipe runs from outdoor unit to plant room mean more insulation, potential heat loss and sometimes larger pipe sizes. Electrical supply capacity and whether the property is single-phase or three-phase should be checked against the heat pump’s requirements before committing to a model.
DNO notification
Heat pumps above a certain electrical load typically need the local Distribution Network Operator notified or given permission before connection. Your installer should handle this, but it’s worth confirming it’s been done rather than assuming.
What happens during a survey
A proper survey covers room dimensions and construction for heat loss, existing radiators and pipework, proposed outdoor unit location, electrical supply, and hot-water arrangements. A survey that skips most of this usually means the sizing that follows is a guess, not a calculation.
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CONTENTS
PLANNING AN INSTALLATION?
Tell us about your property and we’ll point you towards the right next step.
NOT SURE YOUR SITE WILL WORK?
Good installations start with good planning.
Heat Loss Hub can assess your property and help identify the right position, pipe routes and electrical requirements before you commit to a quote.