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Last updated: 23 October 2024

Air Source Heat Pump Costs in the UK: 2024 Guide

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We regularly review the cost of air source heat pumps in the UK and consult with our experts to keep this page up to date with the latest government announcements in 2024.

Air source heat pump cost
  • Air source heat pumps cost anywhere between £2,400 - £14,050 to install, although the average price in the UK ranges from £4,200 to £6,500. With a grant, the overall cost can be lowered by £7,500.
  • The cost of heat pumps varies based on their heat source. Air to air source models are comparatively the cheapest, with ground source heat pumps costing around £13,200 - £49,000 and water source heat pumps costing £8,400 - £14,050 including installation costs.
  • How much an air source heat pump costs in the UK depends on factors such as the kind of air source heat pump you choose, installation complexity, the size of your home, and the labour costs of the installer you work with.
  • The annual running costs of an air source heat pump range from £685 to £1,550 and depend on the size of your home and your household’s energy needs.
  • By installing an air source heat pump to replace a gas boiler, you can expect to save up to £290 on your annual energy bills and the average break even is 14 years.

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 £290 in annual savings (when considering the running costs of heat pumps vs boilers) for many years to come.

Latest from the government

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 This puts many heat pumps in roughly the same cost range as a good gas boiler.

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.

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The cost of an air source heat pump

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. It can cost between £4,000 to £6,500 for the average 3-bedroom home. 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, ranging between £11,000 to £42,500.

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 £1,500 - £4,000
1 bedroom Air to Water Heat Pump 8kW £8,400 - £11,150
2-3 bedrooms Air to Air Heat Pump 4-5kW £4,000 - £8,400
2-3 bedrooms Air to Water Heat Pump 13kW £10,000 - £12,000
4-5 bedrooms Air to Air Heat Pump 10kW £6,000 - £11,000
4-5 bedrooms Air to Water Heat Pump 16kW £8,000 - £14,000

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.

Air source heat pump running costs in the UK

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 £815
2-3 bedrooms 12,000 kWh £1,130
4+ bedrooms 17,000 kWh £1,795

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:

  • Home insulation: Heat pumps operate at lower costs when a home is well-insulation, allowing for heat retention.
  • Additional components: Low-temperature radiators and underfloor heating system costs can be another £3,600 to £9,000 on top. Heat pump underfloor heating requires an air to water connection making it more elaborate for installers.
  • Additional energy or heating sources: Running costs can be reduced with extra energy sources, such as combining a heat pump and solar panels. If a separate heat source is used for domestic hot water heating, such as solar thermal panels this can also cut costs.
What Are the Running Costs Of AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS? | GreenMatch

Note: The video contains some outdated savings figures that may not reflect current energy trends. Prices shown on the rest of this page are reflective of the most recent energy price cap.

Air source heat pump maintenance costs

Heat pump service costs can range from £150 to £300. This can vary on the extent of the services necessary. Service costs can be higher for ground source heat pumps and can also vary based on installer rates.

It’s also possible to do your own maintenance. This will require inspecting ducts, filters, the blower, and indoor coils for debris, dirt, and other possible sources of blockage. This may not end up being too expensive as it doesn’t require any elaborate tools to perform.

Maintaining a heat pump can be important as a unit that isn’t up to scratch will end up consuming up to 25% more energy than one that is reasonably maintained, according to heat pump manufacturer Viessmann.

While you can notice savings in 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.

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​​Air source heat pump installation costs

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.

Savings with an air source heat pump

While the cost of air source heat pump installations can be high, in time, your investment will pay off. On average, heat pump running costs can be 3 to 4 times lower than the average gas boiler. Below you can find an overview of the savings you can expect after having installed an air source heat pump for your home, according to the Energy Savings Trust:

GreenMatch

Tha figure above compares an air source heat pump with a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 3.5, which can be 4 times as efficient as a G-rated gas boiler.

Air source heat pump savings
Energy System Being Replaced Estimated Savings
Gas boiler (A-rated) -£3
Gas boiler (G-rated) £290
Old oil boiler £280
Old LPG boiler £650
Old electric storage heaters £1,200
New electric storage heaters £700

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.

Unlike gas boilers, heat pumps gather 75% of their heat from renewables and use only 25% electricity. Heat pumps also meet your household heat demand with a lower carbon footprint cost, allowing for up to 2900kg of carbon compared to an A-rated gas boiler.

Good to Know

The exact duration of your return on investment period for installing an air source heat pump can fluctuate significantly. Since it depends on current energy prices, the quality of your home’s insulation, and the size of the heat pump you are having installed, there can be variations.

To maximize your savings, 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.

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What determines air source heat pump costs?

Several factors influence how much heat pumps in the UK cost. These include:

  1. The type of heat pump: An air to air heat pump will cost less than an air to water heat pump, with the former costing £4,200 to £6,500 and the latter priced between £10,000 to £12,000 for an average-sized home. At the same time, the type of heat pump you choose will affect the installation cost, as the complexity of the installation may vary, requiring the installer to spend more time fitting your air source heat pump.
  2. The Coefficient of Performance (COP): The COP measures the efficiency of a heat pump and indicates the amount of power input compared to the amount of power output produced by the heat pump. Typically, the COP value of an air source heat pump is between 2.5 and 3.5, making it 3 to 4 times more efficient than a gas boiler.
  3. The size of the heat pump: Measured in British thermal units (BTUs), heat pump size refers to its service capacity or its power. A heat pump will have around 12,000 BTUs per ton of size. However, the higher the power capacity of an air source heat pump, the higher the cost. So, make sure to calculate how much power you’d need for your appliance to generate for your home.
  4. Available incentives and grants: If you are eligible for heat pump grants, then you will be able to lessen the financial burden of investing in this energy system for your home. For instance, with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you can receive up to £7,500 to install an air source heat pump for your home. Government grants are a great way to mitigate heat pump costs in the UK if you are eligible.
  5. Service or maintenance costs: The total cost of installing a heat pump will also include the labour costs your installer will charge. At the same time, on average, annual heat pump maintenance can cost around £150 – £300. While this may seem like a heavy expense, regular maintenance will spare you any big repairs and ensure that your heat pump continues to run optimally, saving you money in the long run.
Government grant eligibility

Keep in mind that many of the grants for heat pumps depend on income and/or the energy performance certificates of applicant households. Eligibility usually depends on an EPC rating between D-G and an income below £19,000 per year for a single-person household.

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.

Is an air source heat pump the right choice for my home?

Is an air source heat pump the right choice for my home
  • If gas and non-renewables are getting more expensive, heat pumps can cut the costs for your home.
  • Check for grants and incentives. As the technology can be very expensive, a government grant can be a massive help.
  • Without adequate insulation, you may not see adequate gains from a heat pump.
  • The outdoor unit will require space. Make sure your home has sufficient area for it.
  • Heat pumps can lose efficiency in extreme temperatures. Most modern heat pumps from established manufacturers operate fine up to -20°C.

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 "How does a heat pump work in winter?" 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 heat pumps benefit your home, you should consider whether the efficiency trumps the level of gas prices you pay with a boiler. The quality of insulation and extreme temperatures can impact this. 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.

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Frequently asked questions