If you’ve been thinking about reducing your energy bills and cutting your carbon footprint, you’ve probably heard a lot about solar panels and air source heat pumps.
Both technologies can transform the way your home uses energy, but when you combine them, that’s when the real magic happens.
Together, they create a smart, self-sustaining system that heats, powers and manages your home efficiently all year round.
Here’s how it works, and why solar + heat pump is one of the smartest upgrades UK homeowners can make.
How a Heat Pump Works
An air source heat pump (ASHP) is a low-carbon heating system that works a bit like a fridge in reverse.
Instead of burning fuel, it extracts heat from the outside air, even when it’s cold, and uses it to warm water for your radiators, underfloor heating and taps.
For every 1 kWh of electricity a heat pump uses, it can deliver around 3–4 kWh of heat energy, making it far more efficient than a gas boiler.
But that electricity has to come from somewhere… and that’s where solar fits perfectly.
How Solar Powers the Process
Solar panels convert daylight into free, renewable electricity.
When you generate power on your roof, that electricity can:
✅ Run your home’s everyday appliances
✅ Charge your solar battery for evening use
✅ Power your heat pump directly during the day
So rather than importing expensive electricity from the grid, you’re using your own solar generation to run your heating system, turning sunlight into warmth and comfort.
Add a Battery and You’ve Got the Full Package
A solar battery completes the loop by storing surplus energy for later.
During the day, your panels generate more than you need. Instead of exporting it all to the grid, your battery saves it.
Then when your heat pump kicks in at night or early morning, it can draw from stored solar power instead of paid-for electricity.
This means:
- Maximum self-consumption (less reliance on the grid)
- Lower heating costs, even in winter
- Backup power during blackouts
- Year-round comfort powered by renewable energy
Why the Synergy Works So Well
Heat pumps and solar are designed for each other. Here’s why the combination is so effective:
- Matching Efficiency: Both systems run best at steady, low outputs — so they complement each other’s rhythm.
- Smart Control: Modern home-energy systems allow automatic coordination — the heat pump runs when your panels are generating most.
- Reduced Carbon: Both cut fossil-fuel use; together, they can reduce your home’s emissions by over 70%.
- Future-Proof Energy: As energy prices rise, having your own renewable supply shields you from market volatility.
Real-World Savings Example
A typical 4 kW solar system paired with a mid-sized heat pump could save a UK homeowner around £600–£900 a year on bills, depending on usage and tariff.
When combined with time-of-use energy plans, you can even charge your battery at cheaper night-time rates and use that power to heat your home during the day, getting the best of both worlds.
Add in grants like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which offers up to £7,500 towards a heat pump installation, and the financial case becomes even stronger.
The Ideal Retrofit Sequence
If you’re planning a whole-house energy retrofit, here’s the order that delivers the best results:
- Insulate first — make your home retain heat efficiently.
- Install your heat pump — for low-carbon, efficient heating.
- Add solar panels and a battery — to generate and store your own electricity.
This approach reduces waste, shrinks your energy bills and gives you the most comfortable, future-ready home possible.
The Novus Energy Approach
At Novus Energy, we design integrated systems, not just individual installs.
That means:
✅ Expert design matching your property and energy profile
✅ MCS-certified installations for both solar and heat pumps
✅ Seamless integration with battery storage and smart controls
✅ Full DNO approval, certification and aftercare
Our goal is simple: to help you build a home that generates, stores and uses clean energy efficiently — every single day of the year.
Solar panels and heat pumps are powerful on their own, but together, they’re unbeatable.
They let you generate your own electricity, heat your home efficiently, and cut your energy costs for good.
Free power from the sun.
Clean heat from the air.
All working in harmony.
That’s the future of home energy, and it’s already here. ☀️❄️
📲 Ready to See How a Heat Pump and Solar Could Work in Your Home?
Book your free home energy assessment with Novus Energy today.
We’ll design a system that combines solar, battery and heat pump technology for maximum savings and comfort.
Get your free quote today, simply fill out the form below or call us on 01422 768113.