Rules for Permitted Development of Air Source Heat Pumps

If you're thinking of installing an air source heat pump and want it to be considered 'permitted development' (meaning you won't need full planning permission), you'll need to satisfy a few key requirements.Here are the main conditions your installation must meet:

• Your heat pump cannot be installed solely for cooling purposes; its primary role must be heating.

• Once the system is no longer providing microgeneration (producing a small amount of electricity or heat for your property), you are expected to take it down as quickly as is practical.

• When you choose where to place it, you should aim to site the heat pump in a position that causes the least visual disruption to your building's appearance and avoids bothering your neighbours.

A super important rule is that the company putting in your heat pump needs to be accredited by The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Crucially, the specific heat pump model you choose must also be a certified product under the same scheme. Without this MCS certification for both the installer and the product, your air source heat pump simply won't meet the criteria for permitted development.Want to dig deeper into the specifics? You can find more information here:

• https://mcscertified.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/MCS-020.pdf