CIBSE and HPA UK publish heat pump design and installation guide
UK – CIBSE and the Heat Pump Association UK (HPA UK) have jointly launched a new Domestic Heat Pump Design and Installation Guide, providing practical guidance for professionals designing and installing domestic air-to-water heat pump systems.
Launched during National Heat Pump Week 2026, the guide has been developed over more than two years to address gaps in existing industry guidance and establish a consistent approach to heat pump system design, installation and commissioning.
Developed in response to needs identified by the CIBSE Domestic Building Services Panel and HPA UK, the publication draws on expertise from across the heating and building services sector. It aims to improve system performance by supporting good engineering practice throughout the installation process.
Guidance across the installation process
The guide covers the full lifecycle of domestic air-to-water heat pump systems, from initial survey and design through to installation, commissioning and handover.
It is intended for experienced designers, installers and heating engineers, as well as plumbers transitioning into low-carbon heating, trainees, consultants and specifiers.
The publication complements the recently updated CIBSE Domestic Heating Design Guide (2026), which provides heat-generator-neutral guidance on heating system design.
The new guide extends this approach with heat pump-specific methodologies, simplifying complex design considerations where possible and identifying circumstances where alternative design approaches may be required.
Improving installation standards
Dr Jaydeep Bhadra, Domestic Sector Technical Manager at CIBSE, said: “This guide addresses a real need in the industry. Heat pumps demand a different approach to design, installation and commissioning than traditional heating systems, and getting this right is essential to delivering efficient, reliable systems.
“Working with HPA UK, we’ve brought together practical, sector-wide expertise into a single resource covering the whole process, from survey and design through to installation, commissioning and handover. We hope it will raise standards and give designers and installers greater confidence in delivering high-quality heat pump projects.”
Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of HPA UK, said: “Developing this guide has been a collaborative effort, bringing together expertise from across the industry to address the practical challenges of domestic heat pump design and installation.
“I’m pleased to see the work come together in a guide that provides a clear and consistent reference for those designing and delivering heat pump systems.”
Supporting consistent system performance
The publication reflects the industry’s increasing focus on installation quality alongside the growth of the domestic heat pump market.
By bringing together established good practice and consistent design methodologies, CIBSE and HPA UK aim to provide an independent technical reference that supports reliable system performance and greater consistency across the sector.
The CIBSE Domestic Heat Pump Design and Installation Guide (2026) is available through the CIBSE Knowledge Portal.
