Do You Need New Radiators With a Ground Source Heat Pump?

Why Radiator Size Matters

Heat pumps operate most efficiently at lower temperatures than traditional boilers. While a gas boiler might run at 70-80°C, heat pumps work best at 35-55°C. This means your radiators may need to be larger to emit the same amount of heat.

When You'll Likely Need New Radiators

• Small, old radiators: Undersized radiators won't provide enough heat at lower temperatures
• Poorly insulated home: Higher heat loss requires more radiator capacity
• Single-panel radiators: These have less surface area for heat emission

When Existing Radiators May Be Fine

• Well-insulated home: Less heat loss means existing radiators may cope
• Oversized radiators: If your current radiators are already larger than needed
• Double-panel convector radiators: These have better heat output

Alternatives to Replacing Radiators

• Underfloor heating: Works brilliantly with heat pumps at low temperatures
• Fan convectors: Use fans to boost heat output from compact units
• Improve insulation: Reducing heat loss means existing radiators work better