As the UK transitions toward low carbon heating, more homeowners are considering heat pumps as an energy efficient alternative to gas and oil boilers. But for those living in traditional homes, particularly older Cotswold stone properties, questions around compatibility, efficiency, and installation disruption naturally arise.
So, do heat pumps actually work in these heritage style homes:
The answer is yes, but with some important considerations.
How Do Heat Pumps Work:
Heat pumps extract heat from the outside air (air source heat pumps) or the ground (ground source heat pumps) and use it to warm your home and hot water supply. Even in colder temperatures, they can operate efficiently by transferring ambient heat into usable energy for heating.
They use electricity to run, but the amount of heat they generate is significantly more than the electricity they consume making them up to 300 to 400% efficient, compared to 90% or less for most gas boilers.
Efficiency in Older Cotswold Stone Homes
Older Cotswold properties are known for their thick stone walls, charming character, and often minimal insulation. While this may pose a challenge for heat retention, it doesn’t rule out a heat pump installation.
In fact, with the right preparation and system design, heat pumps can work very effectively in stone-built homes. Key to this is:
- Improving insulation where possible (e.g., windows, loft, floor).
- Ensuring correct sizing of the heat pump.
- Considering thermal mass and heat-up time due to thick walls.
Installation Considerations: Pipework & Radiators
One of the most significant considerations when installing a heat pump in an older home is the requirement for new pipework and radiators. Heat pumps typically use a water-based system with glycol (antifreeze) fluid, which operates at a lower temperature than gas boiler systems. As a result, to maintain comfort levels:
- Larger surface area radiators are often required.
- New pipework may be needed to accommodate glycol flow and system design.
- This process can be disruptive, especially in properties with solid stone walls and traditional interiors.
- For Cotswold stone properties, this could mean cutting into thick walls and floors, increasing both labour and costs.
Minimising Disruption with Heat Saviour
Retrofitting a heat pump into a solid‑wall, Cotswold‑stone home usually involves lifting floors, upsizing pipework and weeks of mess. Heat Saviour™ solves the problem. The compact buffer module slots into your existing radiator circuit, balances flow temperatures and maximises heat‑pump efficiency—without wholesale plumbing changes. The result: shorter install times, less dust and no compromise on comfort, making Heat Saviour the ideal retrofit solution for heritage properties across the Cotswolds.
What is Heat Saviour:
Heat Saviour is a hybrid system that acts as a thermal interface between your new heat pump and your existing pipework. This means:
- You don’t need to replace all radiators and pipework.
- The system preserves much of your home’s interior.
- It allows heat pumps to work efficiently with higher-temperature circuits.
Benefits of Heat Saviour in Older Homes:
- Minimal disruption to walls, floors, and existing décor
- Lower installation costs by avoiding full pipework replacement
- Preserves the character of heritage homes
- Compatible with most existing radiator systems
- Speeds up the installation process
This makes Heat Saviour a game changer for retrofitting heat pumps into traditional stone properties like those found across the Cotswolds.
Talk to the Experts at Hewer Facilities Management
Hewer Facilities Management has spent more than a decade designing and fitting air‑source and ground‑source heat‑pump systems in Cotswold‑stone cottages and heritage properties across Gloucestershire. Our engineers understand the low‑temperature heating requirements and fabric constraints of older buildings, and we’re one of the few installers approved to fit the Heat Saviour™ retrofit solution, which keeps disruption to a minimum while boosting efficiency.
Considering a heat‑pump upgrade? Book a free, no‑obligation survey with our renewables team on 01452 525854 or explore the full service range at our Renewable Services page to see how Heat Saviour can future‑proof your Cotswold home.
