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Last updated: 26 March 2024

Air to Water Heat Pump in the UK: Complete Guide (2024)

Air to water heat pumps in the UK
  • An air to water heat pump works by transferring heat from the air outside to a water storage tank. This way, the water is warmed up and supplied to your radiators, underfloor heating, and taps.
  • The biggest advantage of an air to water heat pump is that it can efficiently generate usable energy for your home, while reducing your carbon footprint.
  • The cost of an air to water heat pump ranges from £8,400 to £12,350, excluding installation costs.
  • The savings you can expect with an air to water heat pump can be anywhere between £45 and £440 per year.

An air to water heat pump can be a great addition to your household if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint and avoid overspending on energy bills. In this guide, we explore the ins and outs of this energy source, delving into its benefits, available heat pump grants, and installation considerations. 

If you’re ready to reap the benefits of this type of air source heat pump, then we can also help you get the installation process started. The first and most important step is to find a reliable installer you can trust to offer you tailored advice and high-quality services. Looking for one on your own can take hours or even days of tedious research. Fortunately, we’re here to help you skip the hassle. 

By simply filling in our 30-second form, we can quickly connect you with up to 4 vetted heat pump installers. You can then easily compare the installers and prices to  secure the best deal for your home. All quotes are non-binding and completely free. Click the button below to get started now!

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What is an air to water heat pump?

An air to water heat pump is a heating system that transfers heat from the outside air into a water storage tank, which can then be pumped into radiators or underfloor heating. It is a highly efficient source of central heating that can also supply hot water to your taps.

It works similarly to an air to air source heat pump but requires additional components, such as a hot water tank, that allow it to use water to provide heating. This difference in the heating process makes it more suitable for underfloor heating and lets the heat pump provide hot water, unlike its air to air source counterpart.

How does an air to water heat pump work?

Air to water heat pumps take heat from the outside air and transfer it to a wet central heating system, usually through radiators or underfloor heating. The created heat can be used for space heating or as a hot water supply for the house.

The inner workings of an air to water heat pump can be complicated but, in essence, they can be summarised in the following steps: 

Air to Water Heat Pump
1 2 3 4 5 6
  1. The outdoor unit absorbs heat from the air outside. This air is then transferred to a coolant inside the system. 
  2. To further increase the temperature of the coolant, a compressor comes into play.
  3. Once the coolant is sufficiently heated, it passes through a heat exchanger, where it releases its heat to a hot water reserve tank. 
  4. This hot water is then circulated through pipes, supplying warmth to radiators and faucets. 
  5. As the hot water is utilised, it returns to the reserve tank as cold water. 
  6. Subsequently, the coolant is cooled down by the cold water and transferred back to the outdoor unit. Then, the process can start all over again.

With this continuous cycle, the air to water heat pump efficiently provides the necessary warmth to keep your home cosy and comfortable.

How efficient are air to water heat pumps?

An air to water heat pump is highly efficient. It has efficiency ratings ranging from 200%-400%, which means that it has a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 2 to 4. This means that it can produce up to 4 times the amount of energy that it uses. 

The efficiency of your air to water heating system is important, as it has a direct impact on how much you can save on your energy bills in the long run. To make the most of an efficient air to water heat pump system, you will need to make sure that your home is properly insulated. This way, the energy that your appliance produces efficiently is wasted. 

If you want to learn more about the heat pump efficiency, you can check out the video below:

Air to Water VS Air to Air Heat Pump: A Comprehensive Comparison

Air to water heat pump costs and savings

Air to water heat pumps cost around £8,400 – £12,350, excluding installation. For a better overview of the costs involved in installing an air to water heat pump, you can consult the table below:

Costs of an Air to Water Heat Pump
Household SizeHeat Pump SizeEstimated Heat Pump CostEstimated Installation CostsEstimated Annual Savings
1 bedroom8kW£8,400 £350 – £1,700£80 – £255
2-3 bedrooms13kW£11,150£350 – £1,700£65 – £330
4+ bedrooms16kW£12,350£350 – £1,700£45 – £440

The figures listed above are estimates that don’t factor in other adjustments to your heating system, such as the costs of underfloor heating or making changes to your radiators. Make sure to keep these elements in mind when you’re trying to calculate the total costs of an air to water heat pump installation. 

As far as air to water heat pump running costs go, these will vary depending on your household’s energy needs and the efficiency of your appliance. Below you can find an estimate of the yearly running costs you can expect for different household sizes:

Estimated Annual Air to Water Heat Pump Running Costs
Household SizeEstimated Annual Energy DemandEstimated Annual Running Costs
1 bedroom8,000kWh£585
2-3 bedrooms12,000kWh£900
4+ bedrooms17,000kWh£1,325

To make sure you get the most up-to-date information regarding supply and installation costs, you should consult a heat pump installer. However, looking for a reliable professional on your own can be a hassle. After hours of tedious research, you might still come up empty-handed. 

To avoid wasting your precious time and money, let us help you get started in just 30 seconds. Simply fill in our short form, and we’ll have up to 4 local heat pump installers reach out to you with quotes for an air to water heat pump installation. You can then easily compare costs to secure the best deal for your home. Just click below to request free, no-obligation quotes today!

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Air to water heat pump grants

Air to water heat pump grants

Currently, there are several heat pump grant options available in the UK. These are: 

  • The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS): This scheme helps homeowners fund the upgrade of their home heating system with an air to water heat pump and is also applicable to high temperature heat pumps. With the BUS, you could receive up to £7,500 for an air to water heat pump installation. 
  • The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4): This scheme is designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce the UK’s carbon emissions. If you’re eligible, you could get up to 100% of the costs of your air to water heat pump covered. You may also be eligible to improve your loft, cavity, and wall insulation.
  • 0% VAT: The VAT slash on clean energy solutions will continue in the UK until 2027 and it can allow homeowners to save on installation costs. 
  • Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme: This interest-free loan allows homeowners living in Scotland to receive up to £10,000 to install an air to water heat pump. 
  • Home Energy Scotland Scheme: With this scheme, homeowners based in Scotland can receive an interest-free loan of up to £15,000 to install an air to water heat pump.
  • Nest Scheme Wales: This scheme allows households in Wales to benefit from having all the costs of an air source heat pump covered by the government. 

Each of these grants has specific eligibility criteria that you must meet in order to apply. So, make sure to check whether you qualify for a grant to benefit from financial assistance towards installing an air to water heat pump.

Advantages and disadvantages of air to water heat pumps

While there are several advantages to an air to water heating system, there are also a few downsides to consider before moving forward with the installation process. You can find out more about the pros and cons of air to water heat pumps below.

Advantages of air to water heat pumps

  • Cost-effective operation: Compared to other energy systems, air to water heat pumps can have lower running costs. This means that you’ll be able to avoid overspending on your energy bills with such an appliance. 
  • Reduced carbon emissions: Air to water heat pumps don’t burn natural gas to operate and they produce fewer carbon emissions than traditional home heating systems. They can also be paired with renewable energy sources to run on clean electricity. 
  • Energy efficient: This system supplies your home with more energy than it consumes. Its efficiency rates can go up to 400%. 
  • Eligible for government grants: Because the UK government is pushing for more sustainable heating and green energy options, several grant opportunities have opened up for homeowners looking to install an air to water heat pump. 
  • Safe: Due to the fact that air to water heat pumps don’t produce carbon monoxide and don’t require gas to operate, they reduce the risk of gas leaks and other dangers, such as explosions.

Disadvantages of air to water heat pumps

  • High initial cost: The supply and installation costs of air to water heat pumps are quite high. This type has the highest air source heat pump cost. At the same time, even though you’ll be saving on running costs in the long run, the return on investment period is also fairly lengthy. 
  • Seasonal dependence: When operating in areas with temperatures below 0°C, air to water heat pumps can lose some of their efficiency. 
  • Requires quality house insulation: Without the proper insulation, your heat pump will be working overtime to warm up your home. So, if your home isn’t adequately insulated, you might need to make some adjustments before installing an air to water heat pump. 

Is an air to water heat pump suitable for my home?

Installing air to water heating is a great option for households looking to lower their environmental impact and reduce the running costs of their energy system. While there are several benefits to such a heat pump, there are also some factors you should consider before moving forward with the installation process.

For instance, you need to make sure that your home is properly insulated and give some serious thought to your budget, as air to water heat pumps are quite expensive. If you do decide that you want to invest in such an energy source, you will undoubtedly want to avoid overspending on your air source heat pump installation

The best way to go about finding a good deal for your home is to compare the installation costs of several different installers. However, this is easier said than done. After hours or even days of tedious research, you might still be struggling to find the most up-to-date figures or a reliable installer. 

Fortunately, we’re here to spare you any frustration. We’ve thoroughly vetted air to water heat pump installers operating across the country and can put you in touch with up to 4 of them in no time. Just fill in our 30-second form and wait for the installers to get back to you with free,non-binding quotes for their services.

Then, all that’s left is to do is compare figures and find the best deal for your new installation. Click below to get started now!

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Valli Vishnubhotla
Written by Valli Vishnubhotla, Content Writer

Valli has been writing well researched articles about renewable energy, sustainability and green technologies for GreenMatch since 2017. Her work has been published in various media such as Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Canadian Geographic, uSwitch, and eCycle.

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