Free quotes
Get up to 4 quotes by filling in only 1 quick form
Install a heat pump for less with the BUS grant
We’ve helped over 500,000 homeowners reduce their carbon footprint
Air source heat pumps are an energy-efficient, sustainable way to meet your household’s heating and cooling demands. The cost of heat pumps in the UK can range from £2,400 to £14,050. Despite how much air source heat pumps cost in the UK, they can be worth it, providing up to £240 in annual savings (compared to an old gas boiler) for many years to come.
As of 23 October 2023, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grant increased to £7,500 for air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps, up from £5,000 and £6,000, respectively. This puts many heat pumps in roughly the same cost range as a good gas boiler.
This was confirmed in an announcement by the UK Government in September 2023.
In what follows, we’ll walk you through how much it costs to replace a boiler with a heat pump. However, if you want to find out the exact heat pump installation cost in the UK, you will need to consult a heat pump installer.
Instead of wasting hours or even days researching installation companies and trying to compare prices, simply fill in our form in just 30 seconds. Click below to secure the best deals and receive up to 4 free, non-binding quotes from thoroughly vetted installers!
It only takes 30 seconds
So, how much are heat pumps in the UK? The supply cost of an air source heat pump ranges from £2,400 to £12,350. Air to air heat pumps are on the lower end of this price range, as they can only provide heating and cooling. Air to water heat pumps, on the other hand, can also be connected to your central heating system to supply your home with hot water.
Compared to other heat pump options, air source heat pump prices in the UK are quite low, as ground source heat pumps cost between £16,200 and £49,000 including installation. Hybrid systems or high temperature air source heat pumps also tend to cost considerably more.
The exact cost of an air source heat pump installation will vary depending on your situation. Below you can find the estimated cost of installing an air to air or air to water heat pump in an average household:
How much is an air source heat pump? | |||
---|---|---|---|
Household size | Technology type | Heat pump size | Average cost |
1 bedroom | Air to Air Heat Pump | 3kW | £2,400 - £6,200 |
1 bedroom | Air to Water Heat Pump | 8kW | £8,400 - £11,150 |
2-3 bedrooms | Air to Air Heat Pump | 4-5kW | £6,200 - £8,400 |
2-3 bedrooms | Air to Water Heat Pump | 13kW | £10,000 - £12,000 |
4-5 bedrooms | Air to Air Heat Pump | 10kW | £8,000+ |
4-5 bedrooms | Air to Water Heat Pump | 16kW | £12,000+ |
These costs are estimates. Get a local installer QUOTE now!
As you can see, the cost of heat pumps in the UK is relatively high compared to other systems. To lessen the financial burden of installing this renewable energy source for your home, you can apply for grants such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This way, you can receive a grant of up to £7,500 that will be deducted from the total costs you pay to your installer.
There are also other grants but they can be regionally-dependent. For example, the Warm Homes Programme can decrease the standard air source heat pump cost in Wales for all households. Other grants like Warmer Homes Scotland caters to those struggling with energy bills.
Compared to traditional heating systems, air source heat pumps generally have low running costs. As a result, you’ll be able to avoid overspending on your energy bills in the long run.
To give you an indication of the cost of running a heat pump, we calculated the yearly running costs of an air source heat pump. Some of the factors we considered to determine the running costs of domestic heat pumps are the Coefficient of Performance (COP), the heating requirements of average households, and current energy costs in the UK. If you’re wondering “how much does air source heating cost?”, the table below can help answer that for different home sizes:
Cost of running a heat pump | ||
---|---|---|
Household Size | Estimated Annual Energy Demand | Estimated Annual Running Costs |
1 bedroom | 8,000 kWh | £750 |
2-3 bedrooms | 12,000 kWh | £1,050 |
4+ bedrooms | 17,000 kWh | £1,450 |
These costs are averages. Get a local installer to QUOTE now!
It is important to note that the exact running costs you will have to pay depend on several factors such as:
Note: The video contains some outdated savings figures which may not reflect current energy trends. Prices shown on the rest of this page are reflective of the most recent energy price cap.
While you can notice savings when it comes to your yearly heating bills after some time, the installation costs of an air source heat pump can be quite off-putting. To avoid overspending on a new air source heat pump, you will want to compare the installation prices of several different installers. Yet, doing this on your own can take hours or even days of your precious time, with no guarantee that you will end up finding what you’re looking for.
To skip the hassle and avoid any disappointment, why not use our free, non-binding quotes service? Fill in our 30-second form and up to 4 trusted local installers will reach out to you with quotes for an air source heat pump installation. Simply click below to get started now!
It only takes 30 seconds
Currently, an air source heat pump installation costs anywhere from £3,500 to £6,000, excluding materials and the heating system. Exactly how much you will spend depends on the kind of air source heat pump you will be installing, the complexity of the installation, the size of your home, and the labour costs of the installer you work with.
Air source heat pump installation costs | ||
---|---|---|
Type of property | Duration | Installation cost (average) |
2 bedroom semi-detached | 2-3 days | £3,500 - £4,500 |
3 bedroom semi-detached Installation |
3 days | £4200 - £6,500 |
5 bedroom detached | 3-5 days | £6,000 or higher |
Typically, an air source heat pump installation takes between 2 to 5 days to complete. Sometimes this can be shorter but often extra time is needed to finish the wiring and system commissioning. Ductwork can cost roughly £10 to £30 per foot (per 0.35 metres).
The more complex the installation, the more time the installer will have to spend working on your home, resulting in you having to spend more on labour costs. Factors that complicate air source heat pump installation include the size of the property, how old the infrastructure is, accessibility, and whether it needs more complex pipework, underfloor heating, an air to water unit, or other add-ons.
While the cost of air source heat pump installations can be high, in time, your investment will pay off. Below you can find an overview of the savings you can expect after having installed an air source heat pump for your home:
Air source heat pump savings | |
---|---|
Energy System Being Replaced | Estimated Savings |
Gas boiler (A-rated) | -£20 |
Gas boiler (G-rated) | £240 |
Old oil boiler | £410 |
Old LPG boiler | £750 |
Old electric storage heaters | £1,000 |
New electric storage heaters | £600 |
These costs are estimates. Get a local installer QUOTE now!
As you can see, savings with an air source heat pump will vary significantly depending on the energy system you’re replacing. Considering that gas boilers are the most popular heating source in the UK today, the average break-even point for replacing a gas boiler with an air to air heat pump is about 17 years.
The exact duration of your return on investment period for installing an air source heat pump can fluctuate significantly, as it depends on current energy prices, the quality of your home’s insulation, as well as the size of the heat pump you are having installed.
To make the most of your savings, you will want to avoid overspending on your new air source heat pump. The surest way to keep your air source heat pump cost as low as possible is to compare multiple prices listed by different suppliers and installers. However, doing this on your own can take days of research if done alone.
Fortunately, you can skip the hassle by simply filling in our 30-second form and requesting quotes from air source heat pump installers operating in your area. Then, just sit back while up to 4 reputable installers reach out to you with quotes for a new air source heat pump installation. Get started today by clicking below to request free, non-binding quotes!
It only takes 30 seconds
Several factors influence how much heat pumps in the UK cost. These include:
Keeping these factors in mind when trying to determine how much an air source heat pump will cost you can help you avoid any surprises when it comes to your total expenses. So, when making your calculations, be sure to account for all these aspects of installing an air source heat pump for your home.
If you are looking to lower your yearly electricity bills and your carbon footprint, then an air source heat pump can be a great addition to your home. Because they generate energy using the air outside and transferring heat into your home, they require less fuel to operate than traditional heating systems. This has a positive impact on your bank account, as well as on the environment. Heat pumps for apartments are also available which offer better versatility.
However, while it comes with these impressive advantages, you should carefully consider if an air source heat pump is the right fit for your home. You should consider questions like: "Are heat pumps noisy?" and "Can an air source heat pump tend to my energy needs?" before making your investment. The cost to install a heat pump is quite high and the return on investment period is quite long. That said, if you are planning on making a long-term change to your energy system, an air source heat pump will pay off over time.
When determining how much are heat pumps going to benefit your home, you should consider whether the efficiency trumps the level of gas prices you pay with a boiler. This can be impacted by the quality of insulation and extreme temperatures. These factors need to be compared to the final air source heat pump price which can be between £2,400 to £8,800 for an air to air model and £8,750 to £14,050 for an air to water model. Another factor to consider is whether you can obtain a grant in your region.
To be able to reap the financial benefits of installing an air source heat pump, you will need to ensure that you are not overpaying for your new installation. It can be overwhelming to look through all the companies in an attempt to find the lowest air source heat pump price but it’s best to obtain multiple quotes from reputable sources before you decide to install one.
Thankfully, Greenmatch is here to help. We work with a broad network of specialists and, with a simple 30-second form, you can request quotes from up to 4 heat pump installers. Compare the quotes you receive and choose the installer you want to work with. Simply click below and save on the cost of heat pump installation in the UK.
It only takes 30 seconds
Even though electricity tariffs are generally high, the running costs of air source heat pumps are very low, as they are highly efficient. However, the level of efficiency depends on several factors.
If your electricity bill with an air source heat pump is higher than expected, it may be due to improper maintenance. Even though air source heat pumps require less maintenance compared to gas boilers, not maintaining your air source heat pump could lead to a 25% increase in your electric bill. It’s crucial to check and clean the filters and fan from time to time to ensure they are not blocked.
How much cheaper an air source heat pump is to run will depend on what type of heating system you’re comparing it to. For example, if you are replacing an old oil or LPG boiler with a standard air source heat pump you could save up to £750.
Compared to an old electric heating system, a new heat pump could save the average home up to £1,000 on annual running costs, depending on the type of heat pump you install.
Compared to a standard gas boiler, a new air source heat pump could save the average home up to £240 on annual running costs.
The cost of an air source heat pump in the UK depends on household size. The total cost ranges from £2,400 to £12,350.
The average price of installing a heat pump ranges from £6,500 to £11,500. Running costs will depend on the size of your house and the current energy prices.
Rawal Ahmed is a writer at GreenMatch with an interest in sustainability and a background in tech journalism and digital marketing.
We strive to connect our customers with the right product and supplier. Would you like to be part of GreenMatch?