Ducted Air to Air Heat Pumps UK: Hidden Systems, Costs and Suitability

Ducted air to air heat pump systems

A ducted air to air heat pump hides the indoor unit in a loft, ceiling void or cupboard and sends warm or cool air to rooms through ducts and small grilles, so there are no wall units to see. It suits new builds, extensions, bungalows with accessible lofts and major renovations. It usually costs more than wall units and needs space for the ducts.

How it differs from wall units

	Ducted	Wall-mounted split
What you see	Grilles in ceilings or walls	A unit high on each room's wall
Space needed	Loft, ceiling void or bulkhead	Wall space
Room-by-room control	Possible with zoning dampers; often whole-zone	Each unit separately
Cost	Higher	Lower
Disruption	More (ductwork)	Less

Good fits

Bungalows and chalet homes with a large, accessible loft above the rooms
Extensions and new builds where ducts can be built in
Full renovations with ceilings coming down anyway
Homes where the look of wall units is a deal-breaker

Things to check

Ducts in a cold loft must be well insulated, or heat is lost before it reaches the rooms.
Filters and the unit need to be reachable for cleaning and servicing.
Return air: the system needs a way to draw air back, through a grille or door undercuts.
Grant: a ducted system can qualify for the £2,500 grant on the same conditions as any other air to air heat pump.

Questions

Are ducted air to air heat pumps available in the UK?

Yes. All the main brands make ducted indoor units. They're less common than wall units in UK homes because they need loft or ceiling space.

Can a ducted system get the £2,500 grant?

Yes, if it meets the same conditions: it replaces fossil or electric heating, can meet the home's heating needs and is fitted by an installer MCS certified for air to air.

Sources

Checked 8 November 2026.