Looking for heat pump installers in Greater Manchester? Alliant Energy fits MCS-certified air source heat pumps in all 10 boroughs. Most cost £8,000–£15,000 before grants, and we deduct the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant from your invoice.
Key takeaways
- 1,767 heat pumps in Greater Manchester have been paid a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (May 2022 – June 2026). That is 15 per 10,000 households, against 35.2 across England (DESNZ/Ofgem BUS statistics).
- The median installed cost of a BUS-funded air source heat pump was £12,908 in April–June 2026. After the £7,500 grant, that leaves about £5,400.
- The Warm Homes: Local Grant can fully fund a heat pump (up to £15,000 for heating plus £15,000 for insulation and other upgrades) for eligible owner-occupiers with an EPC of D–G (GMCA).
- 78.1% of Greater Manchester homes heat with mains gas only, and just 0.18% use oil (England: 3.2%). The £9,000 oil-home rate helps only about 2,100 households here (Census 2021).
- Trafford (25.2 grants per 10,000 homes) and Stockport (21.4) lead on take-up; Tameside (9.9) and Oldham (10.2) trail.
- Take-up is growing: 647 BUS heat pump grants were paid across Greater Manchester in 2025/26, up 21% on 534 in 2024/25.
How much does a heat pump cost in Greater Manchester?
A fully installed air source heat pump in Greater Manchester typically costs £8,000–£15,000 before grants in 2026. After the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, most homeowners pay £500–£7,500, depending on property size and what the survey finds. National data backs this range: Ofgem's BUS records put the median installed cost at £12,908 for April–June 2026, with the middle half of installs between £11,128 and £15,627, for a median unit size of 8 kW.
| Property type | Typical installed cost before grant | After £7,500 BUS grant |
|---|---|---|
| 2-bed terrace or flat | £7,000–£10,000 | £0–£2,500 |
| 3-bed semi-detached | £9,000–£13,000 | £1,500–£5,500 |
| 4-bed detached | £11,000–£15,000 | £3,500–£7,500 |
| Oil-heated home (£9,000 BUS rate) | £11,000–£15,000 | £2,000–£6,000 |
Prices include the heat pump unit, pipework, controls, commissioning and MCS certification. A new hot water cylinder (usually needed if you have a combi boiler), radiator upgrades or a consumer unit upgrade are assessed at survey and quoted separately. Our heat pump installation page breaks down every extra, and our guide to spotting an inflated heat pump quote shows what a fair price looks like.
Greater Manchester's housing affects the price. 37.9% of homes are semi-detached and 28.5% are terraced, higher than England's 31.5% and 23%. Those property types usually sit in the lower half of the cost table.
What heat pump grants can Greater Manchester homeowners get?
Greater Manchester homeowners can use two main funding routes: the national £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme, open to most homeowners, and the GMCA Warm Homes: Local Grant, which can fully fund a heat pump for eligible lower-income households.
| Grant | Amount | Who qualifies | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | £7,500 | Homeowners in England and Wales replacing gas, oil or electric heating, using an MCS-certified installer | Your installer applies; we deduct it from your invoice |
| BUS oil-home rate | £9,000 | Homes switching from heating oil, from 21 July 2026 | As above |
| Warm Homes: Local Grant (GM) | Up to £15,000 heating + £15,000 energy upgrades | Owner-occupiers with EPC D–G and income under £36,000, means-tested benefits, an IMD decile 1–2 postcode or ECO4 Flex Route 2 | GMCA Retrofit Portal |
| ECO4 | Varies | Low-income and benefit-receiving households | Via energy suppliers and approved installers |
The BUS grant is paid to your MCS-certified installer and taken off your invoice. You never handle the money (Energy Saving Trust). The £9,000 rate announced by the government applies from 21 July 2026 to homes switching from heating oil. That matters far less in Greater Manchester than in rural England, because only 2,122 households here were heated by oil alone in Census 2021.
Warm Homes: Local Grant in Greater Manchester
Owner-occupiers can get 100% funding up to £15,000 for low-carbon heating (air or ground source heat pumps) and up to £15,000 for energy improvements such as insulation, solar PV and glazing. Gas and oil boilers are not eligible. Private tenants qualify with an EPC of D–E (F–G with a registered exemption) if their landlord supports the Good Landlord Charter. You apply through the GMCA Retrofit Portal, and delivery is through your local council (GMCA scheme page).
For the full picture, read our Warm Homes Plan Greater Manchester 2026 guide, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme 2026 guide and our comparison of the Warm Homes Plan and ECO4.
How many Greater Manchester homes already have a heat pump?
Very few so far. Just 1,767 Greater Manchester heat pumps were paid a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant between May 2022 and June 2026. That is 15 per 10,000 households, less than half the England rate of 35.2. On EPC records, heat pumps are the main heating system in 0.09%–1.11% of homes in each borough, compared with 1.38% across England (ONS).
| Borough | BUS grants paid | Per 10,000 homes | EPC band C+ | Mains gas only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trafford | 243 | 25.2 | 45.4% | 81.9% |
| Stockport | 271 | 21.4 | 42.1% | 82.1% |
| Bury | 145 | 18.0 | 44.9% | 83.1% |
| Manchester | 320 | 14.9 | 64.0% | 67.0% |
| Rochdale | 120 | 13.3 | 56.4% | 81.5% |
| Bolton | 151 | 12.7 | 51.5% | 81.0% |
| Salford | 146 | 12.7 | 71.2% | 69.4% |
| Wigan | 177 | 12.4 | 53.6% | 83.9% |
| Oldham | 95 | 10.2 | 47.3% | 80.7% |
| Tameside | 99 | 9.9 | 51.7% | 82.0% |
The pattern is clear. Boroughs with high home ownership and larger semis (Trafford, Stockport and Bury) have the highest take-up. Tameside and Oldham have similar gas-heated housing but a third of Trafford's grant rate, so the gap is awareness and access to installers rather than suitability.
Methodology and sources
We combined four public datasets for the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities: Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump redemptions by local authority (DESNZ/Ofgem, August 2026 release, Tables Q1.2, A1.7 and Q1.1A); Census 2021 accommodation type, central heating and tenure (ONS via Nomis, TS044, TS046, TS054); and EPC band C+ share, median EPC score and heat pump share (ONS Energy efficiency of housing, records to March 2025). Per-household rates use Census 2021 household counts (1,178,240 across Greater Manchester). BUS figures count paid grants, not every heat pump installed. Data checked 2026-09-27.
Which areas of Greater Manchester do we cover?
We install heat pumps in every Greater Manchester borough, covering M, SK, BL, OL, WN and WA postcodes. Each area page has local costs, housing and EPC data, grant take-up and the towns we cover.
Heat pumps in Manchester
City Centre · Didsbury · Chorlton · Withington
320 BUS grants paid · 14.9 per 10,000 homes · 64% EPC C+
Heat pumps in Stockport
Bramhall · Cheadle · Cheadle Hulme · Hazel Grove
271 BUS grants paid · 21.4 per 10,000 homes · 42% EPC C+
Heat pumps in Bolton
Horwich · Westhoughton · Farnworth · Little Lever
151 BUS grants paid · 12.7 per 10,000 homes · 51% EPC C+
Heat pumps in Wigan
Leigh · Atherton · Hindley · Standish
177 BUS grants paid · 12.4 per 10,000 homes · 54% EPC C+
Heat pumps in Oldham
Royton · Shaw · Chadderton · Failsworth
95 BUS grants paid · 10.2 per 10,000 homes · 47% EPC C+
Heat pumps in Rochdale
Heywood · Middleton · Littleborough · Milnrow
120 BUS grants paid · 13.3 per 10,000 homes · 56% EPC C+
Heat pumps in Bury
Prestwich · Whitefield · Radcliffe · Ramsbottom
145 BUS grants paid · 18 per 10,000 homes · 45% EPC C+
Heat pumps in Salford
Eccles · Swinton · Walkden · Worsley
146 BUS grants paid · 12.7 per 10,000 homes · 71% EPC C+
Heat pumps in Trafford
Altrincham · Sale · Stretford · Urmston
243 BUS grants paid · 25.2 per 10,000 homes · 45% EPC C+
Heat pumps in Tameside
Ashton-under-Lyne · Hyde · Stalybridge · Denton
99 BUS grants paid · 9.9 per 10,000 homes · 52% EPC C+
Free heat pump survey and grant check
We'll size the heat pump to your home, apply for your £7,500 BUS grant and check Warm Homes eligibility. You get a free quote in one working day.
Will a heat pump work in a Greater Manchester home?
Yes, in most homes. Air source heat pumps keep working below freezing, and Greater Manchester's mild, wet winters suit them. What matters is how much heat your home loses, and that depends on its age and insulation more than the weather.
That's where Greater Manchester's older housing needs care. Across the 10 boroughs, only 18%–31% of pre-1929 homes reach EPC band C, compared with 69%–84% of homes built between 1983 and 2011 (ONS). If your EPC recommends loft or cavity wall insulation, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme requires it to be done first. Our guide to improving your EPC rating explains how, and older homes are covered in BUS eligibility for old properties.
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces: a compact monobloc at the rear, usually with 1–3 radiator upgrades
- Inter-war and post-war semis: the easiest fit, with a side or rear wall location and standard radiators often reusable
- Combi boiler homes: need a hot water cylinder (£500–£1,500), so find space in an airing cupboard or loft
- Flats: individual units are possible with the freeholder's consent; communal schemes are landlord-led
- Conservation areas (e.g. parts of Saddleworth, Hale, Bowdon): siting may need consent, which we check at survey
Most air source heat pumps are permitted development in England if they meet the MCS noise standard and siting limits. The Alpha Magis M Top we usually specify runs from 35 dB(A), which helps on closely packed Manchester terraces.
Heat pump vs gas boiler: is it worth it in Greater Manchester?
For most Greater Manchester homes, a heat pump costs about the same to run as a gas boiler on a standard tariff, and less on a heat pump tariff. Upfront cost is higher, but the £7,500 grant closes most of the gap.
| Factor | Air source heat pump | Gas boiler replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Install cost (3-bed semi) | About £10,000 (about £2,500 after BUS) | £2,000–£3,500 |
| Annual running cost, standard tariff | £700–£1,200 | £900–£1,400 |
| Annual running cost, heat pump tariff | £500–£900 | N/A |
| Government grant | £7,500 BUS | None |
| Expected lifespan | 20–25 years | 10–15 years |
| Pairs with solar and battery | Yes, cuts running cost further | No direct benefit |
Adding solar panels and a battery gives the best results, because the heat pump runs on your own generation. See our solar, battery and heat pump guide and solar panels in Manchester.
How does heat pump installation work with Alliant Energy?
- Free survey: a room-by-room heat loss calculation, radiator and cylinder check, and unit siting. Here's what to expect at the survey.
- Fixed, itemised quote: the grant is shown as a deduction, and any extra work is listed before we start.
- Grant application: we submit the BUS voucher application (usually approved in 2–4 weeks) and flag Warm Homes eligibility.
- Installation: typically 2–3 days on site.
- Commissioning and MCS certificate: handover, controls set-up and registration.
Why choose Alliant Energy as your Greater Manchester heat pump installer?
We aim to install your heat pump with the smallest possible upfront contribution. We use the £7,500 BUS grant and any other funding you qualify for, and we're open about extra costs. We're MCS certified (check us on the MCS installer directory), TrustMark registered, NAPIT and NICEIC approved, and hold ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001.
Alliant Energy is based in Nelson, Lancashire and travels to Greater Manchester for surveys and installs. We're the installer, not a lead-generation site that sells your details on. Our guide on lead-gen sites vs local installers explains why that matters.
Get a free heat pump quote in Greater Manchester
Answer a few questions and we'll prepare a tailored quote and check your grant eligibility. No obligation.
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Heat pump FAQs for Greater Manchester
How much does an air source heat pump cost in Greater Manchester?
Typically £8,000–£15,000 fully installed before grants. Ofgem's Boiler Upgrade Scheme data puts the median installed cost of a BUS-funded air source heat pump at £12,908 for April–June 2026. After the £7,500 grant, most Greater Manchester homeowners pay £500–£7,500, and eligible households can pay nothing through the Warm Homes: Local Grant.
Is there a heat pump grant in Manchester?
Yes. The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme is open to most homeowners in Greater Manchester replacing gas, oil or electric heating. The GMCA Warm Homes: Local Grant can also fully fund a heat pump (up to £15,000 for heating, plus up to £15,000 for insulation and other upgrades) for owner-occupiers with an EPC of D–G and household income under £36,000 or another qualifying route. You apply through the GMCA Retrofit Portal.
How many heat pumps have been installed in Greater Manchester?
1,767 heat pumps in Greater Manchester were paid a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant between May 2022 and June 2026. That is 15 per 10,000 households, less than half the England rate of 35. Take-up is rising: 647 grants were paid in 2025/26, up from 534 in 2024/25. Trafford (25.2 per 10,000) and Stockport (21.4) lead; Tameside (9.9) and Oldham (10.2) are lowest.
Do heat pumps work in Manchester's climate?
Yes. Air source heat pumps keep working well below freezing, and Manchester's mild, damp winters suit them. Correct sizing from a room-by-room heat loss survey matters far more than the weather. The median BUS-funded heat pump is 8 kW, which is enough for a typical Greater Manchester semi.
Can I get a heat pump in a Victorian terrace?
Usually, yes. 28.5% of Greater Manchester homes are terraced. They typically need a compact monobloc unit sited at the rear and upgrades to one to three radiators. Older terraces are less efficient, though: only 18–31% of pre-1929 homes in each borough reach EPC band C, so insulation should be checked first. The Alpha Magis M Top runs from 35 dB(A), which helps where neighbours are close.
Do I need planning permission for a heat pump in Greater Manchester?
Most air source heat pumps are permitted development in England, provided the unit meets the MCS noise standard and siting limits. Listed buildings and conservation areas, such as parts of Saddleworth, Hale and Bowdon, may need consent. We check this at survey.
Do I qualify for the £9,000 heat pump grant in Greater Manchester?
Only if your home is heated by oil. The £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme rate applies from 21 July 2026 to homes switching from heating oil. Census 2021 found just 2,122 oil-only households in Greater Manchester (0.18%, against 3.2% in England), with the most in Wigan (297), Oldham (269) and Rochdale (257). Most homes are on mains gas and get the standard £7,500.
Which areas of Greater Manchester do you cover?
All 10 boroughs: Manchester, Stockport, Bolton, Wigan, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Salford, Trafford and Tameside, covering M, SK, BL, OL, WN and WA postcodes. Alliant Energy is based in Nelson, Lancashire and travels to Greater Manchester for surveys and installations.
