Air Source Heat Pump Installations by UK Region 2026
Based on the latest official data from the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), the following is a regional breakdown of air source heat pump (ASHP) installations in the UK for 2026.Note: As of November 2026, the most detailed official regional data covers the first half of 2026 (up to the end of the second quarter). A comprehensive regional dataset for the full year is typically compiled and published in early 2027.
Executive Summary
By the end of the second quarter of 2026, a total of 20,895 heat pump retrofits had been completed in existing UK buildings. Air-to-water heat pumps—the most common type of air source heat pump—account for 99% of these installations; therefore, the regional distribution of heat pump retrofits in existing buildings effectively reflects the market distribution of air source heat pumps.
Regional Distribution by Total Installations (First Half of 2026)
In terms of the total number of installations, southern England dominates the market:
1. South East England: Leads the UK with the highest total number of installations, accounting for 18% of all heat pump retrofits in existing UK buildings during the first half of 2026.
2. South West England: Ranks second, accounting for 14% of the national total.
3. East of England: Ranks third, with a 13% share.
Regional Distribution Per Capita (Installations per 1,000 Households)
When accounting for the size of the existing housing stock in each region—based on cumulative data from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and the MCS—the rankings shift significantly:
1. Wales: Has the highest heat pump penetration rate in the UK, with 12.3 installations per 1,000 households.
2. South West England: Leads all English regions in terms of installations per household, with an average of 6.7 installations for every 1,000 households.
3. East Midlands and East of England: Both regions recorded 5.3 installations per 1,000 households.
4. London: Ranked lowest in terms of "installations per household," with only 1.1 installations per 1,000 households—despite having the fourth-highest total number of households in the country.
Regional Trends to Watch in 2026
1. London: Experienced the largest growth over the past five years, with installations increasing by 557% compared to the same period in 2021 (rising from 162 to 1,065 installations).
2. Northern Ireland: Also saw year-on-year growth in the first half of 2026, albeit from a very low base (increasing from 9 installations in the first half of 2025 to 36 in the first half of 2026).
3. Scotland: Continued to drive the deployment of these systems through targeted funding mechanisms, such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme; however, recent progress reports indicate a slight year-on-year adjustment in installation numbers compared to 2025.
Market Context
It is worth noting that some industry reports indicate a 22% decline in overall heat pump installations during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Despite this short-term fluctuation, public awareness remains high—as of spring 2026, 78% of UK adults (aged 16 and over) reported being aware of air source heat pumps.
* Data sources: Heat pump deployment statistics from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) (Q2 2026), MCS certified installation records, and regional analysis data from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).
