Nick and Jane have lived in their Victorian mid-terrace, built in 1891, since 1999. With its cellar, loft room, and four bedrooms, the house has plenty of character, but also came with the challenges of draughts, an icy bathroom, and rising energy bills. Already committed to sustainability, they had solar panels, a Tesla Powerwall battery, and electric vehicles. The next step in their journey was to replace their gas heating with a low-carbon heat pump as part of a larger retrofit project which included additional insulation.
The Challenge
Comfort was the main motivation for the project. Nick explained: “Our bathroom was freezing in winter, with a nasty draught blowing up from under the floor. That really triggered us to act, not just for comfort, but to stop the energy waste.” Alongside making the home warmer, they wanted to reduce reliance on gas, lower their energy bills, and future-proof the property.
Why IMS Heat Pumps?
IMS came highly recommended by trusted sources. A friend had recently had a heat pump installed with us, and People Powered Retrofit, who were supporting the couple’s wider energy efficiency retrofit, also recommended IMS. Nick recalled:
“We tried a few other companies, but we were outside their service areas. IMS stood out, not only for their reputation, but because they were willing to take on what was definitely not a standard installation.”
The Installation
With a typical terrace layout and a long, thin garden, options for the outdoor unit were limited. IMS worked with Nick and Jane through several meetings to find the right solution.
“We had to be careful with placement,” Nick said. “IMS were patient and thorough, and in the end, we found a spot that worked.”
The installation itself went smoothly. A few adjustments were needed afterwards to fine-tune the hot water cylinder, but these were resolved quickly. To reduce visual impact, they opted for a vinyl wrap—something Nick now recommends to anyone. They also applied for a lawful development certificate to confirm the installation fell within permitted development rights.
Results & Benefits
The overall impact has been dramatic including both insulation and heat pump. In April 2024, before the heat pump, the house used around 42 kWh of gas per day. In April 2025, with the heat pump running, that dropped to just 8 kWh of electricity per day. Thanks to their Powerwall battery and time-of-use tariff, they paid only around 10p per kWh, giving them an estimated 77% saving on heating costs for that month. Nick added,
“Even when parts of the roof were missing during our renovation, the heat pump kept the house warm. That gave us huge confidence. Now, with the extra insulation and airtightness, we don’t expect any problems this winter.”
Customer Advice
Nick offers three key tips for anyone considering a heat pump:
• “Think about aesthetics early – a vinyl wrap makes a big difference.”
• “Sort permissions in advance – getting a lawful development certificate gave us peace of mind.”
• “Don’t underestimate the system – it kept us warm even during major building works.”
Why They Recommend IMS
“This wasn’t a straightforward installation, but IMS were excellent from start to finish. They took the time to talk through options, supported us through decisions, and chose a system that suited our house. We felt looked after every step of the way.”
For Nick and Jane, the heat pump was the next step in future-proofing their Victorian home. With our help, they have a warmer, more comfortable space, dramatically lower bills, and a major reduction in energy use, all delivered with care and expertise.