How much is an air source heat pump?

If you’re looking for an energy-efficient alternative to traditional gas boilers, air source heat pumps seem like the obvious solution. But the upfront cost can feel like a barrier. Let’s take a look at how much air source heat pumps cost and how switching to a low-carbon heating system is becoming more feasible than you might think.

• A full installation typically costs around £11,000, but it'll vary depending on your property size and your existing heating system.

• You won't have to pay it all yourself. The government Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers a grant of £7,500 to cut upfront costs.

• Servicing costs around £200 every three to five years, but you'll save about £340 per year on average.

Air source heat pump installation costs

The heat pump unit can cost from anywhere between £1,850 to £6,320 depending on its size. However, when considering how much air source heat pumps cost, it’s important to look beyond the price of the unit itself.

The cost of a heat pump installation will depend on the size of your property, whether you live in a new build or an existing house and how much work is needed to adapt your existing heating system for a heat pump. Typically, the overall cost of the installation will come to around £11,000.

Air source heat pump government grants

Thankfully, you won’t have to pay it all yourself. Government support is available in the form of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers a potential £7,500 towards the installation of air source heat pumps if you live in England, Scotland or Wales. It won’t cover the whole cost, but it’ll significantly reduce what you pay upfront.

Air source heat pump running and servicing costs

Once your air source heat pump is installed, you’ll have to think about what it costs to run and service. Heat pumps use electricity, so running costs will depend on the efficiency of the heat pump and your electricity tariff.

With regards to maintenance, your air source heat pump will likely need roughly the same amount of service as a traditional boiler. You’ll want a professional service every three to five years to check its performance, which’ll probably cost around £200 each time.

How much might air source heat pumps save you?

How much exact money you’ll save will depend on the efficiency of both the new air source heat pump and the old gas boiler you’re replacing, as well as other factors such as how insulated your home is. However, it shouldn’t take long until your investment starts to show results. On average, an air source heat pump can save you £340 per year^, which really adds up over its long lifespan.

^ Source: Energy Saving Trust

We hope we’ve been able to help you calculate the costs associated with air source heat pumps. Contact us if you’d like a quote for your air source heat pump installation.

FAQs

Yes, pairing a heat pump and solar panels is a smart way to save on your energy bills even further. The energy your panels generate during the day can power your heat pump directly, and if you add a solar battery, you can store any extra energy to use whenever you need it.

Underfloor heating isn’t essential, but installing it can help improve the efficiency of the heat pump. If your home has underfloor heating, the whole floor is emitting heat into the room, and the heat pump can run at an even lower temperature because of the extensive surface area.

While we can’t say for sure, it’s likely that heat pump technology will follow similar trends as the solar panel market. As the number of heat pumps in the UK rises, manufacturers can improve production lines, increase capacity and buy components in larger volumes, making the technology cheaper to produce over time.