We’re delighted to announce that IMS Heat Pumps, working alongside Adia, has won Domestic Air to Water Heat Pump Project of the Year at the National ACR & Heat Pump Awards 2026. The award recognises an innovative heat pump installation that demonstrates how thoughtful system design can overcome some of the challenges often associated with retrofitting low carbon heating into older homes.
The winning project was installed at the home of our Managing Director, Emma Bohan, and was designed to answer a question we hear almost every day:
“Can a heat pump really work in an older property without replacing everything?”
The answer, as this project has demonstrated, is yes.
Challenging Common Heat Pump Myths
Many homeowners believe that switching to a heat pump means replacing every radiator in the house, carrying out major disruption, or accepting higher running costs.
This project set out to challenge those assumptions.
Working alongside Adia Thermal, the system incorporated intelligent hydraulic balancing technology which allowed the existing heating system to be optimised rather than completely replaced. By carefully balancing heat distribution throughout the property, the project avoided a full radiator replacement programme, reducing potential upgrade costs by approximately £6,000 – £7,000.
The result is a comfortable, efficient heating system that delivers consistent warmth throughout the home while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Real Performance, Not Predictions
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the project is that its success isn’t based on theoretical calculations.
Following a full twelve months of monitored operation, the heat pump delivered running costs that were almost cost-neutral compared to the property’s previous gas boiler system. The annual difference came out at approximately £10.
At a time when many homeowners are understandably concerned about energy costs, the project provides real-world evidence that a well-designed heat pump system can offer both environmental and financial benefits.
A Team Effort
Awards like this are never the result of one individual or one piece of technology.
The project brought together innovative design, detailed system optimisation and high-quality installation to create a solution that worked for the property and its occupants.
We’re incredibly proud of the collaboration between the IMS Heat Pumps team and Adia Thermal, and we’re grateful to the judges for recognising the value of the project.
Recognition for Innovation in Retrofit Heating
The National ACR & Heat Pump Awards celebrate excellence across the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration sectors, recognising projects that push the industry forward and showcase best practice.
Winning Domestic Air to Water Heat Pump Project of the Year is particularly meaningful because it highlights the importance of good system design, careful specification and innovative thinking when delivering renewable heating solutions.
For us, this award is about more than a trophy.
It’s proof that heat pumps can work exceptionally well in older homes when they are designed correctly, installed properly and tailored to the property.
Looking Ahead
As heat pump adoption continues to grow across the UK, projects like this help demonstrate what is possible.
At IMS Heat Pumps, we’re committed to delivering practical, high-performing renewable energy systems that provide genuine benefits for homeowners, whether they’re living in a modern new-build, a Victorian terrace or a challenging rural property.
This award-winning project is a perfect example of what’s achievable when the right technology is combined with the right expertise.
We’d like to thank everyone involved in the project and congratulate the entire IMS and Adia Thermal teams on this fantastic achievement.
If you’d like to find out whether a heat pump could work in your home, our team is always happy to help.