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Best Air Source Heat Pumps in the UK (2024)
- The overall best air source heat pump in the UK this year is the Samsung Eco Heating System.
- The cost of the best air source heat pumps ranges anywhere from £2,800 to £11,000.
- By investing in one of the best air source heat pumps in the UK, you can save up to £1,200 on your yearly energy bills.
When choosing an air source heat pump, it's crucial to consider various factors such as cost, efficiency, power, performance, heat pump size, warranty, contacting multiple heat pump installers in the UK and the size of your home. We’ve considered all these points when compiling our comprehensive guide to the best air source heat pump options on the market.
The best air source heat pumps available in the UK are:
| Model Name | Available Outputs | Efficiency Rating | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Eco Heating System | 4 - 16kW | A+++ | £2,800 – £9,000 |
| LG THERMA V | 5 - 16kW | A++ | £3,250 – £6,300 |
| Viessmann Vitocal | 4.2 - 16kW | A+++ | £4,500 – £10,500 |
| Hitachi Yutaki | 4.3 - 24kW | A+++ | £3,000 – £9,900 |
| Daikin Altherma 3 | 4 - 18kW | A++ | £5,000 – £11,000 |
| Mitsubishi Ecodan | 4.5 - 14kW | A++ | £3,700 – £7,000 |
| Vaillant aroTHERM | 5 - 15kW | A++ | £3,500 – £8,500 |
| Panasonic Aquarea L Series | 5 - 9kW | A+++ | £3,400 – £8,000 |
- Samsung Eco Heating System: This is the best overall air source heat pump, combining high efficiency at a good price.
- LG THERMA V: This is the best cost-efficient heat pump on the market today, boasting great performance at its price.
- Viessmann Vitocal: This heat pump is known for its peak efficiency, which ensures high performance and long-term savings.
- Hitachi Yutaki: This model can also be referred to as the powerhouse choice, as its output is nearly unmatched.
- Daikin Altherma 3: This air source heat pump boasts exceptional cold climate performance, providing optimal heating even in the harshest weather conditions.
- Mitsubishi Ecodan: This model comes with the best warranty terms, giving you the reassurance that you can enjoy your heat pump for years to come.
- Vaillant aroTHERM: This heat pump stands out for achieving high temperatures, meaning that it’s ideal for homes with high energy demands.
- Panasonic Aquarea L Series: This option is the go-to heat pump for small homes, as it is designed as a compact unit that can fit even in the smallest of spaces.
We’ve carefully selected these air source heat pumps to help you find the appliance that best suits your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for the most cost-effective option or for excellent efficiency rates, you can find out more about the best air source heat pumps on the market in our guide.
Additionally, if you decide to install an air source heat pump, we can help you get the process started in no time. Simply click below, fill in our 30-second form, and we will send you up to 4 free heat pump quotes from certified installers in your area. This way, you’ll avoid spending several hours researching, calling installers, and collecting quotes yourself. All quotes are completely free and you are not obligated to accept any of them.
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Best heat pumps and prices 2024
After analysing and reviewing several models, we put together the following list of the best heat pumps this year by the best air source heat pump manufacturers. Whilst it doesn’t include all the available options, it can definitely help you find out which heat pumps are currently the best in the UK.
Here are our 8 picks for the best air source heat pump models:
1. Samsung Eco Heating System (Best overall)
| Available outputs | 4 - 16kW |
| Efficiency rating | A+++ |
| Estimated cost | £2,800 – £9,000 |
This versatile heat pump range is one of the best air source heat pumps in the UK. This is because of its impressive power output capacity, high efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Some other features of the Samsung Eco Heating System air source heat pump are:
- 3 unit types available: mono, split and TDM plus.
- TDM plus design is exclusive to Samsung.
- Only includes low-temperature heat pumps.
- Some units use the R32 refrigerant (which is more cost-effective and has a lower carbon footprint).
- Work in temperatures as low as -25°C.
- Possible to combine air source heat pump and solar panels.
- Indoor units with integrated hot water tanks are available.
- Includes units with a quiet mode to reduce heat pump noise.
2. LG THERMA V (Most affordable)
| Available outputs | 5 - 16kW |
| Efficiency rating | A++ |
| Estimated cost | £3,250 – £6,300 |
The THERMA V range includes units that can operate in temperatures as low as -25°C and heat water to a maximum of 65°C. On the other hand, the hot temperature heat pumps in the range can heat water up to 80°C. These come in split and monobloc options. What sets this model apart from other air source heat pumps is its excellent price-quality ratio. Some other characteristics of this air source heat pump include:
- The THERMA V range includes high-temperature pumps capable of heating water up to 80°C.
- Some units will still produce heat in outdoor temperatures as low as -25°C.
- Split and monobloc units are available.
- Includes units which use the R32 refrigerant.
- All units require a separate hot water tank for domestic hot water making it less viable for combined underfloor heating air source heat pump systems.
3. Viessmann Vitocal (Most efficient)
| Available outputs | 4.2 - 16kW |
| Efficiency rating | A+++ |
| Estimated cost | £4,500 – £10,500 |
The Vitocal range features some of the most compact outdoor units on the market. You can also combine an air source heat pump from this range with a boiler to cover your home’s heating demands and improve the efficiency of your central heating system. With its A+++ ErP efficiency rating, this is one of the most efficient air source heat pump options on the market today. Some additional features of the Viessmann Vitocal are:
- All units in the range have advanced acoustic designs for quiet running.
- Some units use the R32 refrigerant, which is more environmentally friendly than other refrigerants.
- Only includes medium and low-temperature heat pumps.
- Indoor units with built-in hot water storage tanks are available.
Want to know even more about these air source heat pump models? Then your best bet is to consult a specialist. To help you avoid spending hours looking up experts in your area, we can put you in touch with reliable installers vetted by us in no time. Just fill in our 30-second form and wait to hear back from up to 4 local heat pump installers. Then, simply compare quotes to decide which professional you want to work with and secure the best deal for your home.
- Quotes from local engineers
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4. Hitachi Yutaki (Most powerful)
| Available outputs | 4.3 - 24kW |
| Efficiency rating | A+++ |
| Estimated cost | £3,000 – £9,900 |
Hitachi developed its Yutaki heat pump range to be as energy efficient as possible. At the same time, this range has the best air source heat pumps in terms of power output capacities, which range from 4.3 to 24kW. A few other key features of this air source heat pump are:
- The Yutaki range includes units capable of heating water up to 80°C.
- All units operate at temperatures as low as -15°C, with some operating at -25°C.
- Indoor units with integrated hot water tanks are available.
- All outdoor units have an exclusive smart defrost cycle, which improves energy efficiency.
5. Daikin Altherma 3 (Best in the cold)
| Available outputs | 4 - 18kW |
| Efficiency rating | A++ |
| Estimated cost | £5,000 – £11,000 |
The Daikin Altherma 3 range consists of a low-temperature range (Altherma 3 R) and a high-temperature range (Altherma 3 H HT). Altherma 3 R air source heat pumps include monobloc and split models that are also compatible with low-temperature radiators and underfloor heating.
Additionally, what makes this range impressive is the fact that it can still generate heat in temperatures as low as -25°C, making it a great option for colder climates. Some other key characteristics of this heat pump include:
- The Altherma 3 range includes high-temperature and low-temperature pumps.
- Heat is still generated in outdoor temperatures as low as -25°C.
- Includes units compatible with solar power.
- All units in the range use the R32 refrigerant.
- Includes both split and monobloc units.
- Indoor units with integrated hot water storage tanks are available.
- Includes units with a low sound mode for minimal disturbance.
6. Mitsubishi Ecodan (Best for warranty)
| Available outputs | 4.5 - 14kW |
| Efficiency rating | A++ |
| Estimated cost | £3,700 – £7,000 |
The Ecodan range by Mitsubishi includes a variety of air source heat pumps tailored to different needs. For instance, if you live by the coast, you can opt for one of their Coastal Protection units. These are less likely to degrade under coastal climate conditions.
If your air source heat pump does suffer any damage, you’ll be happy to know that the Ecodan range has one of the best warranties on the market, with a standard 5-year warranty that can be extended to 7 years. Other features of the Ecodan heat pumps include:
- The Ecodan range includes units which use the R32 refrigerant.
- Ultra quiet models are available.
- Includes special units for use on coastal properties.
- Some units will produce heat at outdoor temperatures as low as -20°C.
- The range only includes low-temperature heat pumps.
7. Vaillant aroTHERM (Best for high temperature)
| Available outputs | 5 - 15kW |
| Efficiency rating | A++ |
| Estimated cost | £3,500 – £8,500 |
The aroTHERM air source heat pump range includes 2 types of outdoor units: the aroTHERM plus and the aroTHERM split. The former is a high-temperature air source heat pump that can be connected to an existing wet central heating system. The aroTHERM plus model can reach up to 75°C flow temperature, making it ideal for homes with high heating and hot water demands. In addition to these characteristics, this air source heat pump also has the following features:
- The aroTHERM range includes high-temperature and low-temperature units.
- Monobloc and split units are available.
- Some units use the R290 refrigerant, with a very low global warming potential.
- Indoor units with integrated hot water storage tanks are available.
8. Panasonic Aquarea L Series (Best for small homes)
| Available outputs | 5 - 9kW |
| Efficiency rating | A+++ |
| Estimated cost | £3,400 – £8,000 |
This new generation of Aquarea Panasonic heat pumps is highly reliable even at low temperatures and can perfectly complement your home if you choose either an indoor or outdoor unit. This range has a lower power output capacity, which means that it might not be suitable for all homes. However, it can be one of the best air source heat pump options for smaller homes in the UK. A few other features of this heat pump are:
- Uses the natural refrigerant R290.
- Offers a hydraulic connection between the indoor and outdoor unit.
- Provides water outlet temperatures of up to 75°C and down to -10°C.
- Domestic hot water up to 65°C without a heater for tank sterilisation.
- Displays an excellent SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) of up to 5.12.
- Has a reduced sound level, up to 8dB(A) less than previous models.
- Can integrate your Wi-Fi module into the indoor unit.
If you are interested in installing one of the best air source heat pumps for your home, then the next step you will need to take is to find an installer you can trust. In most cases, this is easier said than done. It can be overwhelming to choose the right installer from among so many different options and after hours of tedious research you might still come up empty-handed. Thankfully, you do not have to do this alone.
We’ve vetted several heat pump installers operating across the country and can easily put you in touch with them. Just fill in our 30-second form and request quotes from up to 4 professionals in your area. You can then find the one you want to work with and secure the best deal on your new air source heat pump. Simply click below and request free, no-obligation quotes today!
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What criteria did we use?
When compiling our list of the best air source heat pumps in the UK today, we considered criteria such as the price-quality ratio of each model, their power output, their efficiency levels, the warranty periods they come with, as well as customer reviews.
Cost
Since air source heat pump costs can be quite high, the models we selected for our list have been chosen for their good price-quality ratio. This way, you can have the peace of mind that the air source heat pump you spent your money on will be a worthwhile addition to your home.
Power
The power output of air source heat pumps is a crucial factor to consider when selecting an air source heat pump. All the models on our list of best air source heat pumps have a wide range of power output capacities. We’ve selected these to help you find the best one for you based on the size of your home and your household’s energy needs.
Efficiency
We’ve only selected air source heat pumps with high efficiency ratings for our list. With ErP ratings ranging between A++ and A+++, these models are guaranteed to generate energy for your home without wasting the resources that they run on. What this means for you is that you will be able to maximise the comfort of your home with any of the air source heat pump models we’ve listed.
Warranty
A good warranty period is important for any purchase you make. So, you’ll be glad to know that all the air source heat pumps on our list have great warranties, as most come with a 5-year warranty period. Considering that the lifespan of an air source heat pump is around 10-15 years, this means that your warranty can cover your appliance for about half of its life expectancy.
Reviews
We also considered air source heat pump reviews when making our selection of the best options in the UK today. Our choices were determined by how highly-regarded the heat pump manufacturers are and how reliable the models are reported to be by satisfied customers.
Why choose an air source heat pump?
Air source heat pumps come with several advantages compared to traditional heating systems. For instance, the benefits of a heat pump vs a combi boiler include:
- They reduce your carbon footprint
- You can avoid overspending on your yearly energy bills
- They are low maintenance
- They are easy to install
- They have a long lifespan (10-15 years)
However, there are also a few downsides to air source heat pumps that you should be mindful of when making your choice. The main one is that they are quite expensive. They might also not generate enough energy and they might not be suitable for your home if you don’t have proper insulation. So, make sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons of air source heat pumps before having one installed.
Is an air source heat pump the right choice for your home?
If your home is properly insulated and you have the space to install the unit, an air source heat pump can be the right fit. However, to be sure that this energy system is the best choice for you, you should consult a specialist who can help you determine whether this energy source will truly benefit your home.
In addition, it is worth noting that many grants are available in the UK for heat pumps. However, many of these grants can be regionally dependent, so it's best to understand your area. Our grants page 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.
No clue where to find a reliable professional to bring your questions to? Not to worry - we’re here to help. We work with a broad network of reputable heat pump installers who can give you advice tailored to your situation and install your new appliance.
Instead of spending hours searching for local installers on your own and wasting your precious free time, you can reach out to up to 4 professionals in just 30 seconds! Simply fill in our short form and then wait for the installers to get back to you with free, non-binding quotes for a new air source heat pump. Click below to start looking for the best air source heat pump for your home today!
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