Quick answer: An Ideal heat pump is a sound, good-value choice for most homes. The Logic Air (4kW to 10kW, R32 refrigerant) has lab-tested SCOPs of up to 5.19 and comes with up to a 7-year parts and labour warranty when registered and serviced, while the newer HP290 (4.5kW to 14kW, R290 refrigerant) reaches flow temperatures of up to 75°C, which suits older homes that keep their existing radiators. Typical installed costs run from around £8,000 to £15,000 before grants, and a Home Energy Scotland grant of up to £7,500 can take a big chunk off that.
If you have a gas boiler in Scotland, there’s a fair chance it says Ideal on the front. The very popular Logic range is one of the most common boilers I come across on jobs around Edinburgh and the Lothians, so it’s no surprise that plenty of homeowners ask me whether an Ideal heat pump is worth considering when it’s time to move away from gas. The short version is yes, for the right home. Ideal now has two main air source heat pump ranges, the Logic Air and the HP290, and both are MCS certified, so they work with the Scottish grant and loan schemes.
Below I go through the Ideal heat pumps range model by model, using the specs from Ideal’s own data sheets, with typical prices, servicing and the honest downsides too.
Ideal Heat Pump Review: At a Glance
Ideal offers two monobloc air source heat pump ranges for homes: the Logic Air for low to medium flow temperatures and the HP290 for higher temperatures. Here are the key numbers side by side.
| Feature | Ideal Logic Air | Ideal HP290 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Monobloc air-to-water | Monobloc air-to-water |
| Refrigerant | R32 | R290 (propane, low global warming potential) |
| Sizes | 4kW, 5kW, 8kW, 10kW | 4.5kW, 6kW, 8kW, 10kW, 12kW, 14kW |
| SCOP at 35°C flow | 4.96 to 5.19 | 4.59 to 5.07 |
| SCOP at 55°C flow | 3.48 to 3.73 | 3.57 to 3.82 |
| Maximum flow temperature | 60°C | 75°C |
| Lowest outdoor operating temperature | -20°C | -25°C |
| Sound power | 52 to 55 dB(A) | 56 to 69 dB(A) |
| Homeowner warranty | Up to 7 years parts and labour | Up to 5 years parts and labour |
| Typical installed cost | £8,000 to £13,000 | £9,000 to £15,000 |
| Home Energy Scotland grant | Eligible (MCS installer) | Eligible (MCS installer) |
Warranty terms require registration within 30 days of installation and an annual service. Prices are typical ranges for a full installation including a cylinder and controls; your fixed quote comes after a survey.
Is an Ideal Heat Pump Worth It?
For most semi-detached, terraced and modest detached homes, yes. Ideal heat pumps have strong lab efficiency figures, A+++ ratings at 35°C across both ranges, and a sensible price point, and the HP290 gives you a genuine high-temperature option for draughtier stone-built homes.
The Logic Air was designed by the team behind the Logic boilers, and you can tell. It’s a straightforward monobloc unit with smart weather compensating controls, Quiet Mark certification and matching pre-plumbed cylinders from 150 to 300 litres. The HP290 is the one I’d point people towards if their radiators are on the small side.
Where Ideal is still catching up is track record. The company has over 100 years of UK heating experience, but its heat pumps have only been around for a few years, so there’s less long-term field data than for older heat pump specialists. Not a reason to avoid them, just something to weigh up.
Pros and Cons of Ideal Heat Pumps
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong lab SCOPs (up to 5.19 on Logic Air, up to 5.07 on HP290) | Shorter heat pump track record than long-established heat pump brands |
| HP290 reaches 75°C, handy for homes keeping existing radiators | Logic Air tops out at 10kW, so larger homes need the HP290 |
| Logic Air is Quiet Mark certified and quiet for its size (52 to 55 dB(A)) | Bigger HP290 models are louder (up to 69 dB(A) on the 14kW) |
| Up to 7 years parts and labour on Logic Air when registered and serviced | HP290 homeowner warranty is shorter, at up to 5 years |
| Matching Ideal cylinders and Halo Air controls make a tidy package | Logic Air uses R32 rather than the lower-impact R290 |
| Competitive pricing compared with premium European and Japanese brands | R290 models need a clear safety zone around the outdoor unit |
How Efficient Are Ideal Heat Pumps?
Very efficient on paper. Every Ideal Logic Air and HP290 model is rated A+++ at a 35°C flow temperature and A++ at 55°C, with SCOPs between roughly 4.6 and 5.2 for underfloor-style temperatures and around 3.5 to 3.8 for radiator temperatures.
SCOP is the heat you get out per unit of electricity over a whole season, so a SCOP of 3.7 means 3.7kWh of heat for every 1kWh used. These figures come from Ideal’s spec sheets.
| Model | SCOP at 35°C | SCOP at 55°C | ErP rating (35°C / 55°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logic Air 4kW | 4.96 | 3.48 | A+++ / A++ |
| Logic Air 5kW | 5.07 | 3.65 | A+++ / A++ |
| Logic Air 8kW | 5.16 | 3.70 | A+++ / A++ |
| Logic Air 10kW | 5.19 | 3.73 | A+++ / A++ |
| HP290 4.5kW | 5.07 | 3.79 | A+++ / A++ |
| HP290 6kW | 4.89 | 3.82 | A+++ / A++ |
| HP290 8kW | 5.07 | 3.82 | A+++ / A++ |
| HP290 10kW | 4.67 | 3.62 | A+++ / A++ |
| HP290 12kW | 4.63 | 3.61 | A+++ / A++ |
| HP290 14kW | 4.59 | 3.57 | A+++ / A++ |
In a real Scottish home you’ll usually land between those two columns, depending on how warm your radiators need to run on a cold January morning. Most retrofits I do around Edinburgh, Dalkeith and Livingston end up at 45°C to 50°C once a few radiators are upsized. The HP290 also holds its efficiency slightly better at 55°C than the Logic Air, one more reason it suits older properties.
To put that into pounds, here’s a rough comparison for a home needing 12,000kWh of heat a year, using the Ofgem price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026 (around 26p/kWh for electricity and around 8p/kWh for gas, standing charges not included).
| Heating system | Efficiency assumed | Approx. annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal heat pump, radiator temperatures | SCOP 3.7 | Around £840 |
| Ideal heat pump, lower flow temperature | SCOP 4.5 | Around £690 |
| Gas boiler | 90% | Around £1,070 |
These are illustrative only. A good heat pump tariff can make a big difference too, and our guide to running a heat pump in a Scottish home goes into more detail.
Ideal Air Source Heat Pump Models
Ideal’s two main domestic heat pumps are the Logic Air and the HP290, and both are monobloc units, meaning all the refrigerant stays sealed inside the outdoor unit. Ideal also lists two Alfea models on its heat pump page.
| Model | Refrigerant | Sizes (kW) | Max flow temp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal Logic Air | R32 | 4, 5, 8, 10 | 60°C | Quiet Mark certified, works down to -20°C, available as a hybrid with a Logic Combi boiler |
| Ideal HP290 | R290 | 4.5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 | 75°C | High-temperature model, works down to -25°C, solar PV and smart grid compatible |
| Alfea Extensa A.I. | R32 | 5, 6, 8, 10 | Not published | Outdoor unit plus indoor unit with integrated buffer tank, SCOP up to 4.51 at 35°C |
| Alfea Excellia A.I. | R410A | 11, 14, 16 | Not published | Marketed as a high-temperature option, SCOP up to 3.85 at 35°C |
Ideal Logic Air
The Ideal Logic Air is the flagship, rated to a 60°C maximum flow temperature and an outdoor operating range of -20°C to 35°C. The 4kW and 5kW units share a compact casing (1095mm wide, 798mm high, 86kg), while the 8kW and 10kW are 1008mm high and 110kg. Output holds up well in the cold: at -1°C outside and a 35°C flow, Ideal’s spec sheet shows the 10kW model still delivering just under 10kW.
There’s also a Logic Air hybrid package, pairing any of the four sizes with a Logic Combi C24 or C30 boiler, for homes where space for a cylinder is tight. Bear in mind hybrids are not eligible for the Home Energy Scotland grant.
Ideal HP290
The Ideal HP290 uses R290, a natural refrigerant with a very low global warming potential, and it’s the model I’d look at first for older stone-built homes. It reaches flow temperatures of up to 75°C and works down to -25°C outside. The range runs from 4.5kW to 14kW, and the 14kW unit is rated at 15kW at A7/W35, so it can cover bigger rural homes that the Logic Air can’t. The 4.5kW and 6kW units weigh 90kg; the 10kW to 14kW models are 135kg and need a 32A supply, which we check during the survey.
How Much Does an Ideal Heat Pump Cost?
A fully installed Ideal heat pump typically costs between £8,000 and £15,000 before grants, depending on the model, size, cylinder and how much radiator work your home needs. With a Home Energy Scotland grant of up to £7,500, many households pay a few thousand pounds.
| Model and size | Typical installed cost | After a £7,500 HES grant |
|---|---|---|
| Logic Air 4kW to 5kW | £8,000 to £10,500 | £500 to £3,000 |
| Logic Air 8kW to 10kW | £9,500 to £13,000 | £2,000 to £5,500 |
| HP290 4.5kW to 8kW | £9,000 to £12,500 | £1,500 to £5,000 |
| HP290 10kW to 14kW | £11,500 to £15,000 | £4,000 to £7,500 |
These are typical ranges. Your price is fixed after a home survey, once we’ve done a room-by-room heat loss calculation and checked your radiators, pipework and electrics. Our full heat pump cost guide breaks down where the money goes.
Grants and loans in Scotland:
- Home Energy Scotland grant: up to £7,500 towards an air-to-water heat pump, rising to £9,000 with the £1,500 rural and island uplift. You can also add an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500. You must apply and get a written offer before any work starts, and both the installer and the product must be MCS certified. Our Home Energy Scotland grant and loan guide covers the steps.
- Warm Homes Loan Scheme: a UK-wide scheme, including Scotland, offering low and zero-interest loans of up to £20,000 for an air-to-water heat pump, with some loans running up to 30 years. It can be combined with Home Energy Scotland grants, and The Edinburgh Boiler Company is part of the scheme. Read more on our Warm Homes Loan page.
You may see the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme mentioned on Ideal’s own website. That scheme only covers England and Wales, so in Scotland the Home Energy Scotland grant is the one to use.
What Property Types Suit an Ideal Heat Pump?
Ideal heat pumps suit most houses with outdoor space for the unit: the Logic Air fits well-insulated and mid-sized homes, while the HP290 covers older, larger and harder-to-heat properties thanks to its 75°C flow temperature and 14kW top size.
- Newer semis, terraces and bungalows: a 4kW to 8kW Logic Air is usually plenty, and these homes often run happily at lower flow temperatures where the SCOPs shine.
- Traditional stone-built houses: common in Edinburgh, Linlithgow, Stirling and Perth. The HP290 is my usual pick here because it can run hotter radiators if we can’t upsize every one. See our guide on whether you need new radiators.
- Larger rural homes and farmhouses: in the Borders, Fife or rural West Lothian, the HP290 12kW and 14kW models give you the extra capacity the Logic Air lacks. Correct sizing matters, so have a look at our heat pump sizing guide.
- Tenement flats: trickier for any brand. You need somewhere suitable for the outdoor unit, and shared ground, conservation areas and listed buildings can all complicate things. We’ll tell you honestly at the survey whether it’s doable.
- Homes with limited outdoor space: the R290 in the HP290 means the unit needs a protective safety zone clear of windows, doors, drains and ignition sources, so the compact Logic Air can sometimes be the easier fit. Our article on heat pump location rules explains what’s involved.
Ideal Heat Pump Maintenance Requirements
Ideal heat pumps need an annual service by a qualified engineer, and that service is a condition of keeping the manufacturer’s warranty valid. Day to day, there’s very little for you to do.
A typical annual service on an Ideal Logic Air or HP290 includes:
- Checking the outdoor unit, fan and coil, and clearing leaves or debris
- Cleaning the system filter and checking water pressure and flow rates
- Checking the controller, settings and fault history, and updating settings where needed
- Inspecting the cylinder, valves and safety devices
- On the R290 HP290, using a gas detector whenever the casing panels come off, as Ideal’s manual requires
- Filling in the service record so your warranty stays valid
Between services, keep the area around the unit clear, brush off heavy snow after a storm and keep an eye on the system pressure. Ideal also offers a Lifetime Warranty plan for Logic Air systems from £22.50 a month, which bundles annual servicing with ongoing parts and labour cover. You need to sign up within six months of commissioning, and the servicing is carried out by Ideal or one of its service partners. If you’d rather have local aftercare, our heat pump aftercare service covers servicing across our area.
What Are the Ratings for Ideal Heat Pumps?
There’s no independent rating aimed specifically at Ideal heat pumps yet. Both Trustpilot and Which? focus on Ideal as a boiler brand, so treat their scores as a guide to the company’s service rather than to the heat pumps themselves.
Trustpilot
Ideal Heating has a large, claimed Trustpilot profile with tens of thousands of reviews, and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. However, the reviews are almost entirely about boiler servicing, repairs, engineer visits and customer service, and heat pumps barely feature. It’s a good sign for Ideal’s aftercare team, but it isn’t a heat pump score.
Which?
Which? reviews Ideal as a boiler brand, where it gets a four-star customer score from Ideal boiler owners. Which? doesn’t publish a separate brand rating for Ideal heat pumps, so there’s no like-for-like heat pump score to quote.
How Does Ideal Compare?
Ideal sits in the good-value middle of the market. It’s usually cheaper than premium brands like Vaillant, with similar lab efficiency, while Baxi is the closest like-for-like rival as another big UK boiler name offering both standard and high-temperature heat pumps.
Vaillant’s very popular aroTHERM plus uses R290 throughout and reaches 75°C, much like the HP290, and has a longer UK track record, which is partly why it often costs more. Baxi mirrors Ideal’s approach with an R32 range (HP40) and a high-temperature R290 range (HP60). Read our full Vaillant aroTHERM plus review and our Baxi heat pump review for the detail.
Is an Ideal Heat Pump Right for You?
An Ideal heat pump is right for you if you want good efficiency at a fair price from a familiar brand, and your home suits either a Logic Air or an HP290. If you want the longest heat pump track record or a very quiet large unit, look at the alternatives too.
Choose Ideal If…
- You want strong lab efficiency without paying premium-brand prices
- You live in an older home and want the HP290’s 75°C flow temperature
- You value a long warranty and are happy to book an annual service (up to 7 years on the Logic Air)
- You like the idea of a matching Ideal cylinder and Halo Air controls in one package
- Your home needs up to 14kW of heat
Don’t Choose Ideal If…
- You want a brand with many years of heat pump field history behind it
- You need a large unit very close to a bedroom window or neighbour, where the bigger HP290 models’ sound levels may be a problem
- You want R290 refrigerant but don’t have room for the HP290’s safety zone (the compact Logic Air uses R32)
- You want a hybrid and plan to claim the Home Energy Scotland grant, as hybrids aren’t eligible
Get a Free Heat Pump Quote From The Edinburgh Boiler Company
If an Ideal heat pump sounds like a good fit, we can help. The Edinburgh Boiler Company is one of Scotland’s leading MCS-certified heat pump installers, and we fit air source heat pumps across Edinburgh, Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Penicuik, Livingston, Bathgate, Falkirk, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Perth, Glasgow and the Borders. We’re also part of the new Warm Homes Loan Scheme, and we’ll help you with your Home Energy Scotland application before any work starts.
Every installation starts with a proper survey and heat loss calculation, so you get the right model and size, not just the one that’s easiest to sell. Book your free heat pump survey or find out more about our heat pump installation service.
Ideal Heat Pump FAQs
Are Ideal heat pumps any good?
Yes. Both the Logic Air and HP290 are A+++ rated at 35°C, with SCOPs of up to 5.19 and 5.07 respectively. The main drawback is a shorter heat pump track record than older heat pump specialists.
Where are Ideal heat pumps made?
Ideal describes the Logic Air as combining European heat pump manufacturing with over 100 years of UK heating experience. Its pre-plumbed heat pump cylinders are made in Ideal’s UK factory.
What is the difference between the Ideal Logic Air and the HP290?
The Logic Air uses R32, runs up to 60°C and comes in 4kW to 10kW. The HP290 uses R290, runs up to 75°C and comes in 4.5kW to 14kW, making it better for older homes and bigger properties.
How noisy is an Ideal heat pump?
The Logic Air has a sound power level of 52 to 55 dB(A) and is Quiet Mark certified. The HP290 ranges from 56 dB(A) on the 4.5kW to 69 dB(A) on the 14kW. Sound power is measured at the unit, so what you hear in the garden is lower. Our guide on heat pump noise explains more.
What warranty do Ideal heat pumps come with?
Homeowners get up to 7 years parts and labour on the Logic Air and up to 5 years on the HP290, as long as the heat pump is registered within 30 days of installation and serviced every year.
Can I get a grant for an Ideal heat pump in Scotland?
Yes. The Logic Air and HP290 are MCS certified, so with an MCS-certified installer you can apply for a Home Energy Scotland grant of up to £7,500 (£9,000 in rural and island areas). You need a written offer before work begins.
Will an Ideal heat pump work in a Scottish winter?
Yes. Ideal rates the Logic Air to work down to -20°C and the HP290 down to -25°C outside. Correct sizing from a proper heat loss calculation is what keeps your home warm on the coldest days.
