When homeowners begin comparing air source heat pumps, the same international manufacturers tend to appear repeatedly. Ebac offers something different: a heat pump designed and manufactured here in the North East of England.

Based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, Ebac has more than 50 years of British manufacturing experience. The company is already well known for its dehumidifiers and other domestic appliances, but it has also applied its engineering experience to developing an air source heat pump specifically for British homes and the British climate.

At Enerus, we have now installed several Ebac heat pumps. Our experience so far has been positive. The units are well constructed, straightforward to install and supported by a manufacturer located only a short distance from the areas in which we work.

This article looks at the Ebac heat pump range, its efficiency and controls, and our honest opinion of the product from an installer’s perspective.

Who is Ebac?#

Ebac was founded in County Durham in 1972 and has remained committed to manufacturing in Britain.

Unlike many heat pumps sold in the UK, Ebac’s units are not imported products carrying a British brand name. They are designed and manufactured at the company’s own facility in Newton Aycliffe.

That is particularly appealing to us at Enerus. We are a North East heating company, so being able to install equipment manufactured locally helps support skilled employment and manufacturing within our own region.

Local manufacturing may also provide practical benefits. Technical support, product knowledge and spare parts are handled in the UK by people who are familiar with the equipment. If an installer needs assistance, they are dealing with a team based in County Durham rather than an overseas manufacturer several stages removed from the installation.

Ebac says its heat pumps were developed specifically for British homes and weather conditions, including the cold and damp conditions that can make defrost performance particularly important.

The Ebac air source heat pump range#

Ebac currently offers two principal outputs for domestic installations:

These descriptions are only general examples. A heat pump should never be selected using floor area or the number of bedrooms alone.

Before recommending either model, Enerus completes a room-by-room heat-loss calculation. We assess the building fabric, room sizes, windows, ventilation losses and local design temperature. We then consider the required flow temperature and check the heat pump’s available output under the property’s actual design conditions.

This is important because a heat pump described as “9kW” will not necessarily produce exactly 9kW under every combination of outdoor and water temperature.

The correct unit is the one that meets the calculated heat loss efficiently without unnecessary oversizing.

How efficient are Ebac heat pumps?#

Ebac’s published figures show strong seasonal efficiency across both units.

The manufacturer’s product literature lists the following seasonal coefficient of performance figures:

SCOP stands for Seasonal Coefficient of Performance. In simple terms, a SCOP of 4 suggests that approximately four units of heat could be delivered over the assessed season for every unit of electricity consumed.

However, laboratory ratings are not a guarantee of what every household will achieve. Actual performance depends on:

• The accuracy of the heat-loss calculation
• Outdoor temperatures
• Heating flow temperature
• Radiator or underfloor-heating sizes
• Control settings
• Hot-water demand
• Electricity tariff
• How the occupants use the property
• The quality of the system design and installation

The table also demonstrates why flow temperature matters. The lower the temperature at which the heating system can operate, the more efficiently the heat pump can generally run.

That is why Enerus checks every room rather than simply replacing a boiler with a heat pump and hoping the existing radiators will be adequate.

Designed for British Weather#

Air source heat pumps extract energy from the outdoor air. During cold and damp weather, moisture can freeze on the outdoor coil and the heat pump must periodically complete a defrost cycle.

Defrosting is normal, but it temporarily consumes energy without delivering heat into the home. A unit that manages this process well can maintain better seasonal performance and more consistent comfort.

Ebac has developed its own defrost control system for the British climate. The objective is to reduce unnecessary or excessively frequent defrost cycles while still protecting the outdoor coil and maintaining airflow.

This is a particularly relevant feature in the North East, where winter conditions are frequently damp as well as cold.

The units are specified to operate at outdoor temperatures down to -20°C, although their available output and efficiency will vary with the outdoor temperature and required water temperature.

What are Ebac heat pumps like to install?#

One of the most noticeable advantages from an installer’s perspective is the supplied wiring centre.

A heat pump installation can involve several electrical and control components, including circulation pumps, motorised valves, thermostats, hot-water controls and the heat pump itself. If these are not planned properly, the result can be an unnecessarily complicated collection of wiring and external enclosures.

Ebac’s wiring centre provides a clear central point for the system controls. We have found it straightforward to set up and commission, helping create a neater installation and making the control arrangement easier to understand.

That does not remove the need for competent system design or electrical work. It does, however, give the installer a well-thought-out starting point instead of requiring every control arrangement to be created from scratch.

Other useful installation features include:

• 28mm primary heating connections
• Floor-mounted or wall-mounted installation options
• Clear access for servicing and commissioning
• Compatibility with external smart controls, including Homely
• UK-based technical assistance
• A robust steel casing
• A choice of light or dark external finishes

The units have a relatively distinctive appearance compared with the plain white rectangular design used by many manufacturers. Appearance is subjective, but both available finishes can help the heat pump sit more naturally alongside different types of property.

Are Ebac heat pumps quiet?#

Noise is an important part of heat-pump selection, particularly where the outdoor unit will be positioned near a bedroom, neighbouring property or boundary.

Ebac’s published sound-pressure figures at one metre are 55dB(A) for the 5kW model and 51dB(A) for the 9kW model under the manufacturer’s stated test conditions.

A simple quoted sound figure does not tell the whole story. Actual noise at a neighbouring window or boundary depends on:

• The distance from the heat pump
• The direction in which it faces
• Nearby walls and reflective surfaces
• Whether it is installed in an enclosed area
• The mounting arrangement
• The operating speed
• Background noise
• The location of neighbouring windows

Enerus assesses the proposed position as part of the design. We also account for the required clearances so that airflow, servicing access and acoustic performance are not compromised.

Controls and Homely compatibility#

A heat pump performs best when it is allowed to operate steadily rather than being switched on and off in the same way as a traditional boiler.

Ebac provides its own control arrangement, but the heat pumps can also be paired with compatible third-party controls such as Homely.

Homely uses information about the property, the heating system, outdoor conditions and household preferences to optimise operation. It can also take advantage of suitable time-of-use electricity tariffs where available.

A smart controller cannot compensate for an incorrectly sized heat pump or poorly designed radiators. When combined with a properly designed system, however, it may improve comfort, make the controls easier for the homeowner to understand and help move electricity consumption to more economical periods.

Our Ebac heat pump review#

Having installed a number of Ebac units, our overall impression is very positive.

What we like#

The units are genuinely manufactured locally

Ebac’s Newton Aycliffe manufacturing base is a significant advantage. It supports North East manufacturing and gives installers access to UK-based product and technical knowledge.

The wiring centre is straightforward

The supplied wiring centre is one of the features we appreciate most. It simplifies the control connections and helps us produce a neater and more serviceable installation.

The casing feels solid

The units have a robust steel enclosure and feel like substantial pieces of heating equipment rather than a lightweight imported appliance.

The design is distinctive

The choice of finishes and the shape of the casing give customers an alternative to the usual white outdoor unit.
Technical support is close to home

Being able to speak with a UK-based manufacturer is reassuring for both the installer and the homeowner. Local support should also make it easier to resolve technical questions when they arise.

The published efficiency is competitive

The seasonal performance figures compare well with many established heat pump products, particularly when the heating system is designed to operate at a low flow temperature.

What should customers consider?#

No heat pump is the correct choice for every property.

Ebac’s domestic range is currently centred on 5kW and 9kW models. This provides a suitable option for many homes, but it is a narrower range than those offered by some larger manufacturers. Properties falling between outputs—or requiring substantially more capacity—may be better matched with a different product.

The current units use R32 refrigerant. R32 remains widely used in modern heat pumps, although some manufacturers are moving towards R290 refrigerant in their latest product ranges.

The maximum published heating flow temperature is 60°C. That is sufficient for a correctly designed low-temperature heating system, but it reinforces the need to assess radiator outputs rather than assuming every existing radiator can remain unchanged.

Finally, we have fitted only a limited number of these units so far. Our installation and commissioning experience has been good, but it would be misleading to claim decades of long-term reliability data from our own installations. We will continue to monitor the systems we service and update our opinion as that real-world history grows.
Ebac heat pump warranty

Ebac heat pumps may be available with warranty cover of up to 12 years through qualifying installer and manufacturer partnership arrangements.

The exact warranty period and conditions should always be confirmed before installation. Registration, approved installation procedures and regular servicing may all be required to maintain the full cover.

Enerus explains the applicable warranty in the written proposal and completes the necessary commissioning and registration documentation following installation.

Can an Ebac heat pump provide hot water?#

Yes. An Ebac air source heat pump can provide both space heating and stored domestic hot water when installed with a compatible hot-water cylinder.

Unlike a combi boiler, the heat pump does not produce instantaneous hot water. It gradually heats water stored inside the cylinder, ready for use at taps, baths and showers.

The cylinder must be correctly selected for heat-pump operation. Heat-pump cylinders generally use a larger internal coil than conventional boiler cylinders, allowing heat to be transferred effectively at lower water temperatures.

Enerus checks the available space, household occupancy and expected hot-water demand before recommending the cylinder capacity.

Is an Ebac heat pump suitable for an older home?#

Potentially, yes.

Heat pumps are not restricted to new-build properties or homes with underfloor heating. They can work successfully in older buildings, provided the system is designed around the property’s calculated heat loss.

An older home may require:

• Selected radiator upgrades
• Improvements to loft or wall insulation
• Larger primary pipework
• Changes to the hot-water cylinder
• Improved heating controls
• Alterations to the system layout

The objective is not necessarily to make the property perfect before installing a heat pump. It is to understand how the building performs and design a system that can heat it effectively and economically.

Are Ebac heat pumps eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?#

An eligible Ebac installation may qualify for support through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The standard grant currently provides £7,500 towards an eligible air-to-water heat pump installation in England and Wales. Since 21 July 2026, qualifying rural properties replacing oil heating may be eligible for an increased £9,000 grant.

The scheme is installer-led. This means an MCS-certified installer applies on behalf of the property owner and deducts the grant from the price shown on the quotation and invoice.

Eligibility depends on the property, the existing heating system, the proposed installation and the scheme rules applying at the time of the application.

Enerus is MCS certified and can assess likely eligibility before progressing with a quotation.

Is an Ebac heat pump the right choice for you?#

Ebac is well worth considering if you want:

• A heat pump designed and manufactured in Britain
• A product made locally in County Durham
• Strong published efficiency
• Straightforward controls and wiring
• UK-based technical support
• A distinctive choice of external finishes
• Compatibility with smart heat-pump controls
• Long-term warranty options through an eligible installer

The final decision should still be based on the design of your home rather than the brand name alone.

At Enerus, we do not select a heat pump simply because it is the product we happen to sell. We calculate the property’s heat loss and compare the required output, flow temperature, installation space, noise assessment, controls and hot-water requirements.

Where an Ebac is the correct technical match, it offers a compelling combination of local manufacturing, good performance and installer-friendly design.

Request an Ebac heat pump quotation#

Enerus designs and installs air source heat pump systems across Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside and the wider North East.

Every installation begins with a detailed assessment of the property. We can complete the heat-loss calculations, design the heating system, check Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility and recommend the most suitable heat pump for your home.

To discuss an Ebac heat pump installation:

Call: 01740 669 585
Email: contact@enerus.co.uk
Website: www.enerushome.co.uk

Alternatively, complete our online heat pump enquiry form and a member of the Enerus team will contact you.