Why pick air source over other options?
Air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) are the quickest, least-disruptive route to low-carbon heating and hot water in an apartment block:
- No boreholes required – rooftop, courtyard, or wall-mounted units keep ground works to a minimum.
- Lower CAPEX than ground-source systems – perfect for retrofit budgets.
- Rapid installation – swap-out of ageing gas plant can be completed between heating seasons.
- Cooling ready – reversible ASHPs provide active cooling to tackle summer overheating, a growing Building Regs concern.
Resident and landlord benefits
| Stakeholder | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Residents | Even, draught-free warmth; optional cooling; quieter living – no boiler flues or combustion fumes. |
| Freeholders | 25-40 % cut in heat energy costs; EPC uplift boosts asset value and unlocks green-finance rates. |
| Managing agents / facilities managers | Fewer call-outs, cloud monitoring, and predictive maintenance instead of annual gas-safety visits. |
There are multiple ways to design an ASHP for a block of flats
When deciding on your heating system, there are several factors which should be considered – CAPEX, OPEX, available space, planning. Better Planet has lots of experience working with customers to identify bespoke solutions which address requirements.
A common design is to cascade ASHP (using multipe units):
How an ASHP cascade works in a block
- Outdoor units (often on the roof) harvest low-grade heat from ambient air.
- Central plant room raises water to 45-55 °C and feeds existing radiator circuits or underfloor heating
- Hydraulic interface units (HIUs) or smart heat meters allocate energy use per flat for transparent billing.
- Optional buffer/battery storage shaves peak grid import and maximises on-site solar PV.
Designing Around Common Retrofit Challenges
- Space and acoustics – modular, low-profile units plus acoustic encloures can meet <45 dB night-time limits.
- Electrical capacity – staged changeover and soft-start compressors avoid DNO upgrades where possible.
- Mixed pipework – plate-heat-exchanger integration lets you retain legacy risers and radiators.
- Heat network rules – our designs comply with the Heat Network (Metering & Billing) Regulations, Part L 2025 and SAP 10.
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The Better Planet process
1) Feasibility and load profiling
Heat-loss modelling, and roof / ground surveys, alongside discussions with developers to understand requirements clearly.
2) Planning and funding support
Liaison with planners, GLA/LA carbon officers, and grant applications. We can work with you to identify the perfect set up for your requirements.
3) Detailed design
If an M&E contractor has been appointed, we can work closely with their designs. If not, our team of in house design team can support with detailed design, including; Central plant sizing, HIU or ambient-loop layouts, acoustic strategy.
4) Installation
Our own team of installation engineers will install your system. For retrofit projects, we will work to ensure disruption is minimised.
5) Ongoing support and maintenance
Seasonal performance checks, annual services and system maintenence, remote monitoring.
St Michael’s Road, London
Client Brief
The main contractor of a new 12-flat development required a low-carbon, cost-effective heating and hot-water, that could be adapted to the size and orientation of each apartment while maintaining a consistent underfloor-heating layout across the scheme. Key asks were:
- Maximise renewable technology within tight plant-cupboard footprints.
- Provide balanced mechanical ventilation to meet airflow rates.
- Keep running costs low for future residents, with simple room-by-room control.
Our Solution
Better Planet designed, supplied, installed and commissioned a mix of heat-pump technologies matched to each flat’s constraints:
- One balcony flat received a NIBE air-source heat pump with ducted supply-and-extract ventilation.
- Six mid-level flats—where no outdoor plant space existed—were equipped with NIBE exhaust-air heat pumps, providing mechanical supply-and-extract ventilation.
- Five top-floor and corner flats gained NIBE exhaust-air heat pumps with integral MVHR, delivering >90 % heat-recovery ventilation to further cut heating demand.
Across all 12 flats we carried out room-by-room heat-loss and airflow calculations, installed under-floor heating in pumped screed for silent, even warmth, and fitted compact plant cupboards housing the heat pump, hot-water cylinder and controls. Low-profile acoustic terminals preserved ceiling heights, and digital thermostats gave residents simple temperature control and energy transparency.
Project Success
✅ Right technology for each flat ensured every unit met SAP targets without oversizing.
✅ Under-floor heating plus balanced ventilation delivered draught-free comfort all year.
✅ Unified NIBE controls and a single commissioning pack gave facilities teams one platform for monitoring and maintenance.
Our approach – A full-service solution tailored to you
- Our sales team will discuss your project, finding the ideal solution for your unique situation.
- Our team of in-house building services engineers will work with you to design a system which delivers for your buildings inhabitants, complies with existing standards, and is cost effective.
- Our installation teams will be on hand to deliver your system, with a breadth of experience delivering complex installations.
Why choose Better Planet?
- Our understanding of heat pumps: We have been installing renewables since 2006 and have installed over 1,000 projects. We work with a range of manufacturers which allows us to identify the best solution for your unique building.
- Our understanding of standards and regs: We work closely aligned to various standards and planning regulations, and can work with you to ensure that your building complies.
- Single point of contact: We consult, design and install your solution, so you won’t have to engage with multiple suppliers. Our offering means it’s easier manage your project.
- We care: At Better Planet, we believe that delivering innovative energy solutions goes beyond technology – it’s about building partnerships. As a family-owned business, we care deeply about the success of every client and every project. Our team is committed to working closely with you to understand your unique challenges and goals, tailoring our approach to ensure each project is a success. With Better Planet, you’ll find a partner who genuinely values your vision and is invested in helping you achieve sustainable, impactful results. From the initial consultation to project completion, we’re by your side, offering guidance, expertise, and a commitment to excellence that you can rely on.
Ready to kick off your project?
Our team is on hand to support your project. Organise a free consultation today. We would love to work with you!
