Aberdeen & Grampian — Heating Finance & Heat Pumps

What housing types do we survey in Aberdeen?

Aberdeen is famous for its granite buildings — solid stone construction that is durable but has poor insulation compared to modern cavity walls. The city also has post-war estates in areas like Kincorth and Bridge of Don, and modern developments in Westhill and Kingswells.

Granite tenements in the city centre have very high thermal mass — they stay cool in summer but require significant heat input in winter. Solid walls mean cavity wall insulation is not possible, so heat loss is higher than in modern properties. A boiler must be adequately sized, and radiator upgrades may be needed for a heat pump. In newer estates, standard combi replacements and heat pump installations are more straightforward. See what affects heating costs.

Are heat pumps suitable for Aberdeen's granite homes?

They can be, but the solid-wall construction means heat loss is higher and larger radiators or underfloor heating may be needed. The survey determines whether a heat pump, hybrid system or boiler is most suitable.

For granite tenements, a high-efficiency boiler is often the most practical option. For modern detached homes in Westhill, Kingswells and Portlethen — where insulation standards are better — a heat pump can be an excellent choice. Rural properties around Inverurie and Ellon that are off the gas grid and currently using oil are strong candidates for heat pump installation. See the full process.

What areas do we cover in Grampian?

We cover Aberdeen, Dyce, Portlethen, Stonehaven, Banchory, Inverurie, Ellon, Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Banff, Macduff, Huntly, Westhill, Kintore and across Aberdeenshire and Moray including Elgin, Forres, Buckie and Keith. See our full areas covered page.

How does the Aberdeen climate affect heating?

Aberdeen is the coldest major city in Scotland, with winter temperatures regularly dropping below freezing and North Sea winds adding wind chill. This means heating systems must be robust and correctly sized.

The survey accounts for Aberdeen's colder climate when calculating heat loss — the design outside temperature used is lower than for Glasgow or Edinburgh. This means a larger heat pump or boiler may be needed compared to a similar property further south. For rural Grampian properties, the colder climate makes a hybrid system with boiler backup a popular choice for reassurance on the coldest days. Interest-free credit up to £30,000, subject to status.