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Last updated: 18 March 2024

Air to Air Heat Pumps in the UK: Costs, Efficiency & More (2024)

air to air heat pump in the UK
  • An air source heat pump performs both cooling and heating functions while being an 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, installing 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? Well, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss the average air to air heat pump cost in the UK and government incentives, as well as the pros and cons of this heating system.

If you already know that you want to install an air to air heat pump or are still on the fence, the best thing you can do for your peace of mind is to consult a heat pump installer you can trust. However, finding one on your own can be a pain. After hours of research, you might still not have found the right installer. 

Thankfully, we’re here to help you avoid wasting your precious time and energy. We work with a broad network of reputable specialists and can connect you with up to 4 of them in no time. Just fill in our 30-second form and sit back and relax while our experts get back to you with free, non-binding quotes for an air to air heat pump installation. Click below to get started today!

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What is an air to air heat pump?

An air to air heat pump is a specific type of air source heat pump (ASHP) that absorbs heat from the outside air and transfers it into your home, usually via a ventilation fan system. Some of its key characteristics include:

  • It reduces the amount of electricity used to generate heat. 
  • It can act as an air conditioner in the hot months and as a heating source in the wintertime. 
  • It is highly efficient and, if properly installed, can be just as efficient in both warmer and colder UK regions. 
  • It has a long lifespan that ranges between 10-15 years.

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 consistenly high levels of heating and hot water.

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. 

The process by which an air to air source heat pump heats up your home can be summarised in the following steps:

Air to Air System
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

  1. The air source heat pump draws in the ambient air.
  2. The heat from the air is transferred to a refrigerant through a heat exchanger coil.
  3. The refrigerant vapour gets compressed and transported to an indoor unit through refrigerant lines.
  4. The indoor unit releases the heat to warm the rooms.
  5. The refrigerant cools back into a liquid and passes through the expansion valve.
  6. The heat is released which creates the liquid-vapour mixture.
  7. This mixture circulates back to the outdoor unit to be heated again.

Air to air heat pump cost in the UK

An air to air heat pump is one of the most affordable heat pumps on the market. The average air to air heat pump cost in the UK ranges between £2,400 – £8,800

Whether your costs will be at the lower or higher end of this price range depends primarily on the size of your home and your energy consumption. Below, you can find the estimated cost of an air to air heat pump per household size: 

Average Air to Air Heat Pump Cost in the UK
Household SizeAverage Energy/Gas Consumption (kWh)Estimated Cost
1 bedroom1,800/8,000£2,400
2 bedrooms2,500/10,000£4,000
3 bedrooms3,000/12,000£6,500
4+ bedrooms3,500/15,000£8,800
What Are the Running Costs Of AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS?

Currently, air to air heat pump installation costs in the UK range from £350 – £1,700 and will vary depending on the complexity of the installation. 

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

Nevertheless, 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 the costs of an air to air source heat pump.

Good to Know!

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 an installer 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!

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Air to air heat pump running costs in 2024

The costs involved in running an air to air heat pump range from £455 to £1,550, depending on your energy consumption requirements and how efficient your appliance is. 

Air source heat pump efficiency is measured with a Coefficient of Performance (CoP) and can range from 2.5 to 4. The higher the air to air heat pump CoP, the more efficient it is. 

Below, you can find the estimated annual running costs of an air to air heat pump:

Annual Air to Air Heat Pump Running Costs
Household SizeAverage Yearly Heating Requirement (kWh)Estimated Air to Air Heat Pump Running Costs
1 bedroom9,000£972
2 bedrooms11,100£1198
3 bedrooms18,000£1940
4+ bedrooms24,000£2592

Keep in mind 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.

Advantages of air to air heat pumps

Air to air heat pump pros
  • 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
  • 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.

Disadvantages of air to air heat pumps

Air to air heat pump cons
  • Seasonal dependency: Air to air heat pumps work most effectively if the outdoor temperature is between -3°C and 10°C. When the temperature drops to -10°C or below, the electric power 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. 

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

An air to air heat pump is a great choice for heating and cooling your home if you are looking to reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint. Hopefully, this article has helped you consider the benefits of an air to air heat pump installation. 

However, if you find yourself having more questions than answers, or simply want a better indication of what an air to air heat pump could add to your home, 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 quotes for a new air to air heat pump. Then, choose the installer you want to work with and secure the best deal for your home. Simply click below to get started now!

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  • Quotes from local engineers
  • Payment by finance available
  • Save £7,500 with BUS grant
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Hannah Maza
Written by Hannah Maza, Writer

As a writer with a deep understanding of low-carbon energy systems, Hannah aims to breakdown knowledge barriers and share insights to empower individuals in their pursuit of creating more environmentally conscious homes.

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