Does Scotland allow an air source heat pump without an application?
In Scotland Class 6H covers an air source heat pump used only for domestic heating or hot water (Class 6H(3)(a), checked 25 Sep 2026). A unit that also cools is not covered by this class.
computed
Worked case from the decision engine
Result on the facts named above: permitted development.
Worked heating-only case (on the dwelling, projects 0.4 m, one unit, noise entered as a pass): permitted development. The same facts with cooling: not covered by this class.
Volume, noise and listing in the worked case are entered facts. They are not read off the postcode.
Cooling paths
At 400 hours and the Ofgem cap, the split scenario is £27.71 and the portable scenario delivering the same 2.5 kW is £101.23.
| Path | What it is | Up front | £ for 400 h | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External shading | No outdoor unit | Shelf prices sit in the shade class of the retail file | No compressor draw in the catalogue | /tools/sizing/ |
| Fan | Devola Low Noise 20W 9 Speed 9-inch DC Desk Fan - White - DVF7DCFAN | £59.95 | £2.11 for 400 h at 20 W | /tools/running-cost/ |
| Portable | Cirro® 12000 BTU Super Quiet Smart Portable Air Conditioner - Cooling | £519.99 | £101.23 to deliver 2.5 kW for 400 h at EER 2.6 | /tools/running-cost/ |
| Split / air-to-air | Daikin Perfera 2.5 kW, SEER 9.5 | median shelf £1,027.49 (n=14) | £27.71 for 400 h | /tools/payback/ |
The clauses this situation turns on
SCO-07 · Class 6H(3)(a) · checked 25 Sep 2026. the air source heat pump must be used only for the purpose of providing domestic heating or hot water Source
SCO-01 · Class 6H(1) · checked 25 Sep 2026. The installation, alteration or replacement of an air source heat pump on a dwelling or within the curtilage of a dwelling. Source
SCO-03 · Class 6H(2)(b)(i) · checked 25 Sep 2026. any part of the development would protrude more than 1 metre from the outer surface of an external wall, roof plane, roof ridge or chimney of the dwelling Source
SCO-08 · Class 6H(3)(c), inserted SSI 2024/102 art. 6(d)(i) · checked 25 Sep 2026. the air source heat pump must comply with MCS Planning Standards for air source heat pumps or equivalent standards Source
Next pages
· · n= · · updated 25 Sep 2026 · version 1.0.0 · CSV of the values on this page