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 to Air Heat Pumps in the UK: Costs, Installation, Pros & Cons
- Air source heat pumps are a highly energy-efficient and cost-effective substitute for a gas boiler and an AC unit.
- An air to air heat pump is a heating and cooling system that takes heat from the air outside and transfers it to the interior of your home.
- On average, an air to air source heat pump costs about £2,400 – £8,800.
Looking to reap the benefits of renewable energy by installing an air to air heat pump? You’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss the average air to air heat pump cost in the UK, government incentives, and the pros and cons of this heating system.
Interested in air to air heat pumps? We can help you get the best deal! Don’t waste hours contacting installers on your own. Simply fill out our 30-second form, and we’ll do the rest. We’ll connect you with up to 4 trusted installers near you for free, no-obligation quotes. Click below to get started.
- Quotes from local engineers
- Payment by finance available
- Save £7,500 with BUS grant
What is an air to air heat pump?
Air to air heat pumps extract heat from the air outside and transfer it into your home through a ventilation fan system. The heating process can also be reversed for cooling purposes.
How does an air to air heat pump work?
Air to air heat pumps essentially work by using the principles of vapour compression refrigeration to absorb heat in one place and release it to another. In this case, it means extracting heat from the outside air and using it to warm the inside of a building via fans. Air source heat pump for flats also work on the same principle.
The process by which an air to air source heat pump heats up your home can be summarised in the following steps:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 - The air source heat pump draws in the ambient air.
- The heat from the air is transferred to a refrigerant through a heat exchanger coil.
- The refrigerant vapour gets compressed and transported to an indoor unit through refrigerant lines.
- The indoor unit releases the heat to warm the rooms.
- The refrigerant cools back into a liquid and passes through the expansion valve.
- The heat is released which creates the liquid-vapour mixture.
- This mixture circulates back to the outdoor unit to be heated again.
If you’d like to replace a gas boiler with a heat pump, you’re well on your way to significantly lowering your energy bills, with air to air heat pumps being an excellent alternative for your home. You can also combine an air source heat pump and a gas boiler for domestic hot water purposes using a hybrid heat pump system. A high temperature heat pump will also ensure that you can achieve consistently high levels of heating and hot water.
Air to air heat pump cost in the UK
Air to air heat pumps are among the most affordable heat pumps in the UK market, with the average air to air heat pump price ranging from £2,400 to £8,800. Moreover, current air to air heat pump installation costs in the UK range from £350 to £1,700 and will vary depending on the complexity of the installation.
Running costs will also depend on factors such as household size and energy needs, with annual estimates of £900 for a one-bedroom home, £1,200 for two bedrooms, and £1,700 for three bedrooms. The efficiency of these systems, measured by the Coefficient of Performance (CoP) ranging from 2.5 to 4, significantly impacts these operating expenses.
Additionally, it’s important to note that a higher CoP indicates better efficiency and potentially lower running costs. The total cost for air to air heat pump installation and operation will be affected by factors such as home size, energy consumption, and proper system sizing.
As a general rule of thumb, you can find out the right air to air heat pump size for you by calculating around 5kW worth of energy output per 100m² of space.
Below, you can find the estimated cost of an air to air heat pump per household size:
| Household Size | Average Energy/Gas Consumption (kWh) | Estimated Installation Cost | Estimated Annual Running Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 1,800/8,000 | £2,400 | £935 |
| 2 bedrooms | 2,500/10,000 | £4,000 | £1,320 |
| 3 bedrooms | 3,000/12,000 | £6,500 | £1,845 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 3,500/15,000 | £8,800 | Varies |
Remember that these numbers are rough estimates, and a personalised calculation is highly advisable. Seek professional advice to get a clearer picture of how much running an air to air heat pump at your property will cost you.
Air to air heat pump savings
As previously said, air to air heating systems are highly efficient and can reach outstanding COP ratings of up to 4, which means that for every unit of electricity used, they can produce four times more heat output, for example.
This allows them to be not only more efficient than other heating systems but also cost-effective. For example, compared to old electric storage heaters, you could save up to £1,200 annually just by switching to air to air heat pumps.
To better understand the savings you could encounter with an air source heat pump heating system, we’ve compiled a list comparing the savings of air source heat pumps to traditional heating systems such as old G-rated oil boilers, among others. Take a look:
| Current Heating System | Estimated Annual Savings |
|---|---|
| New (A-rated) gas boiler | -£3 |
| Old (G-rated) gas boiler | £290 |
| Old electric storage heaters | £1,200 |
| New electric storage heaters | £700 |
| Old (G-rated) oil boiler | £280 |
| New (A-rated) oil boiler | -£55 |
| Old (G-rated) LPG boiler | £650 |
| New (A-rated) LPG boiler | £260 |
| Coal | £650 |
For further insights, we recommend reading our article on the differences between a gas boiler vs a heat pump.
Air to air heat pump grants
Nevertheless, despite the savings, installing an air to air heat pump is still a significant investment. To lessen the financial burden of installing this energy source, you can apply for one of the heat pump grants available in the UK.
One such incentive is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), with which you can receive up to £7,500 to assist with your air source heat pump costs.
| Grant Name | Coverage Area | Savings | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | England and Wales | £7,500 | For air or ground source heat pumps, including high temperature heat pumps |
| Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO4) | England, Scotland and Wales | Varies | Financial assistance for low-income households to install energy-efficient systems |
| 0% VAT | UK-wide | Up to £750 | VAT reduction on clean energy solutions, including heat pump installations, until 2027 |
| Warmer Homes Scotland | Scotland | £10,000 | Interest-free loan for installing energy-efficient systems |
| Home Energy Scotland Scheme | Scotland | £15,000 | Interest-free loan for installing renewable energy sources |
| Nest Scheme | Wales | Full cost | Covers all costs of air source heat pump installation for eligible households |
However, many of these grants can be regionally dependent, so it's best to understand your area. Our guide on air to air heat pumps can give a good overview, but we also have resources dedicated to heat pumps in Wales, heat pumps in Scotland and heat pumps in Northern Ireland.
To be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you need to meet the following criteria:
- You are a homeowner, small landlord, or private landlord in England or Wales.
- You have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations.
- You are not replacing an existing low-carbon heating system. You can only replace fossil fuel heating systems (e.g. oil, gas, direct electric).
- You have an air to air heat pump installation capacity up to 45kWth (kilowatt thermal capacity).
Want to know more about the costs of installing an air to air heat pump and about how you could benefit from a heat pump grant? Then, you should consult air source heat pump installers near you who can offer you tailored advice. Instead of wasting hours on tedious research, let us help you get in touch with installers from our network in no time.
Just fill in our 30-second form and request quotes from up to 4 local air to air heat pump installers. Then, all you have to do is compare the information you receive to find the right installer for you and secure the best deal for your new air to air heat pump installation. Simply click below to request free, no-obligation quotes now!
- Quotes from local engineers
- Payment by finance available
- Save £7,500 with BUS grant
Air to air heat pump installation process
The installation process of an air to air heat pump is fairly straightforward, which means that the installation costs are also lower than they would be for other heating systems, such as an air to water heat pump. This is especially true if you also opt for air source heat pump underfloor heating systems.
The installation of an air to air heat pump involves six main steps. Here’s how it works:
- Installing the indoor unit(s): The contractor will begin by installing the indoor units, which can be wall-mounted, floor-standing, or ceiling-concealed. These units distribute warm or cool air throughout your rooms, contributing to energy efficiency.
- Setting up access points: Access points are created to connect indoor and outdoor units. This involves drilling a hole in the wall for electrical wiring and drain piping, ensuring low maintenance and efficient operation.
- Installing the outdoor unit: The outdoor unit is then installed and typically mounted on the side of the house. It should be positioned above the ground in colder regions to avoid snow accumulation, ensuring the system remains highly efficient.
- Connecting electrical wiring: The electrical wiring is connected, ensuring that all wires are properly insulated to maintain energy efficiency and safety.
- Connecting the piping: Refrigerant pipes, which carry hot gas or cold liquid to the indoor units, and drain pipes, which remove condensation, are connected. These pipes should also be insulated as needed to optimise energy use.
- Quality testing: Before being used, the entire system is thoroughly tested to ensure it operates efficiently and effectively. By utilising renewable energy, these systems can help reduce carbon emissions and energy bills.
Air to air heat pump installation should be performed by professional installers who can advise you on its suitability and other specifications while also installing all the necessary equipment with the least disruption to your home.
Air to air heat pump advantages and disadvantages
- Easy to install: These types of heat pumps are very easy to install. Only a hole in the wall is needed and the installation can (potentially) be done in a single day.
- Compatible with other systems: It can be easily installed in a house with an existing conventional heating system. An air source heat pump and solar panels can also be compatible for optimal sustainability.
- Affordable: An air to air heat pump unit is relatively cheap and because it is easy to install and doesn’t require extra pipework, the installation is less expensive than for other energy systems.
- Efficient: The efficiency of any type of air source heat pump is measured with the Coefficient of Performance (CoP). The CoP of air to air source heat pumps typically ranges from 2.5 to 4. A CoP of 4, for instance, means that the heat pump produces 4 units of heat energy for every 1 unit of electricity it consumes.
- Versatile: Air to air heat pumps can easily be switched to cooling mode and used as an air conditioner during the summer or for heating purposes when the temperatures are lower.
- Low maintenance: Air to air heat pumps require little to no maintenance. Usually, your installer will check the condition of the pump about once a year to ensure optimal performance.
- Safe: Unlike other heating solutions, air to air heat pumps do not bring potentially flammable fuel into the home, and therefore reduce the chances of any accidents.
- Seasonal dependency: Are you wondering: "Do heat pumps work in cold weather?" The short answer is yes. However, they are at their most efficient in outdoor temperatures between -3°C and 10°C. When the temperature drops to -10°C or below, the electricity consumption of the pump increases. Luckily, UK temperatures don’t usually drop this low.
- Dust: Due to using fans to distribute warm or cool air, the dust contained in the air may move throughout the room, affecting the comfort and cleanliness of your home.
- Lower supply: Air to air heat pumps provide a lower heat supply compared to oil or gas boilers, meaning that you would need bigger vents.
- Extra expenses: If you live in colder parts of the country, you would need to invest in some additional elements, to ensure optimal results and electricity usage of the heat pump. However, the additional parts are not high in cost, hence it is not a huge disadvantage – and they pay off in the long run.
So, before installing an air to air heat pump, be sure to carefully weigh its pros and cons. It's especially important to consider the system's performance and its efficiency, as well as the fact that your air to air heat pump's performance may be affected by colder temperatures (once drops to -10°C occur).
Is an air to air heat pump suitable for my home?
Despite their initial high cost, air to air heat pumps are highly efficient systems that use electricity to heat or cool homes on demand, reducing energy bills and carbon emissions. Their effectiveness is evidenced by recent government initiatives to promote their use, including nationwide heat pump grants, to achieve the government’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.
However, it is crucial to assess your home's suitability before installing one. This can be done through a specialist evaluation or by using the government's online tool, which considers factors such as your home's age, insulation, glazing, size, and energy performance certificate. Proper assessment ensures the heat pump will be effective for your specific property.
However, if you find yourself asking questions like, "What heat pump size is best for my home?" or "Are heat pumps noisy?" then your best bet is to consult a heat pump installer. Not only can they offer you tailored advice, but they can also provide you with up-to-date figures for supply and installation costs.
Fortunately, you don’t have to look any further for a reliable installer. We’ve thoroughly vetted several installers operating across the country and can connect you with up to 4 of them in no time. Just fill in our 30-second form to request free, no-obligation air source heat pump quotes. Simply click below to get started now!
- Quotes from local engineers
- Payment by finance available
- Save £7,500 with BUS grant
Frequently asked questions
We strive to connect our customers with the right product and supplier. Would you like to be part of GreenMatch?
- Quotes from local engineers
- Payment by finance available
- Save £7,500 with BUS grant