Heat Pump Installers Reading: MCS Certified Firms

Reading has an unusually generous local scheme for heat pumps. Through the Warm Homes: Local Grant, the council says eligible homes can get up to £15,000 for low-carbon heating on top of up to £15,000 for insulation and other measures.

For households who don't qualify, the national Boiler Upgrade Scheme still takes £7,500 off the price.

Reading at a glance

Housing mix: 28.2% of Reading households lived in a terraced house, 25.9% in a semi, 12.2% in a detached house and about a third in flats in 2021. Source
How homes are heated: 71.9% of Reading households heat with mains gas only and 15.7% with electricity only. 441 homes (0.7%) use tank or bottled gas only and 90 use oil only. Source
Local grant: Reading Borough Council offers the Warm Homes: Local Grant with Portsmouth City Council and 31 other councils: up to £15,000 for energy saving measures plus up to £15,000 for low-carbon heating, for homes rated EPC D or below. Source
Energy ratings: About 45% of homes with an EPC in Reading are rated band D or below (median score 70, band C), against 47% across England. Based on certificates lodged in the 10 years to March 2025. Source

National grant or local grant?

Anyone replacing fossil fuel heating can use the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, whatever their income. Your MCS installer applies, and £7,500 comes off the bill.

The local grant is for lower-income households: income under £36,000, certain benefits, or a qualifying postcode, with a home rated EPC D or below and savings under £100,000. Agility Eco runs it for Reading Borough Council.

Electric-heated homes

Almost 16% of Reading households heat with electricity alone. Swapping panel or storage heaters for a heat pump can cut running costs a lot, because a heat pump gives out several units of heat for each unit of electricity. It also means adding radiators and a cylinder, so get a full price.

Planning and noise

On a house, air source heat pumps are usually permitted development within the Planning Portal's conditions. Units facing the road in a conservation area need permission. The MCS design must also show noise at the nearest neighbour's window is within limits.

What the survey should include

A room-by-room heat loss calculation, radiator sizes, a cylinder location, the electrical supply and a noise assessment. Ask for the design flow temperature and the expected seasonal efficiency in writing. Our air source heat pumps guide and heat pump cost guide explain what the figures mean.

Reading homes and what they need

Victorian brick terraces in the town's older streets

Solid brick walls mean higher heat loss. Expect a few bigger radiators, and the yard is usually the only spot for the unit.

Interwar and post-war semis in the suburbs

Usually the easiest fit: gardens, cavity walls and an airing cupboard for the cylinder.

Estates and apartments built from the 1970s onwards

Flats need the freeholder's agreement. Houses on newer estates are often well insulated and suit smaller units.

Areas covered

Engineers who cover Reading work across areas including Caversham, Tilehurst, Earley, Woodley, Whitley, Emmer Green, Lower Earley, Southcote, Calcot and Theale.

View Reading on Google Maps

Questions people in Reading ask

Can I use both grants?

Check with the council and your installer. The local grant may cover the whole cost for eligible homes.

Sources

Also nearby: Heat pump installation in Oxford, Heat pump installation in Swindon, Heat pump installation in London, Heat pump installation in Southampton

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