The cost of air source heat pumps: Our guide

How much does a heat pump cost?

The cost of installing a heat pump will vary depending on a few different factors. This could include things such as the:

• complexity of the installation
• condition of your current heating system
• size of your property
• type of heat pump you want to install
• heat pump brand
• performance and efficiency of the heat pump

There is currently a government grant called the Boiler Upgrade Scheme that is in place to help reduce these costs. We’ll cover more details on this further down the page.

According to The Eco Experts, the cost of installing a heat pump can range anywhere from £7,000 to over £30,000. That includes the cost of the heat pump itself, the installation and any alterations necessary to the heating system. To give you a better idea of how these costs vary, we’ve broken them down by heat pump type below.

The cost of an air source heat pump

An air source heat pump is the most common type of domestic heat pump. On average air source heat pumps can cost from £4,000 to £10,000 to buy and install.

The cost of a ground source heat pump

Ground source heat pumps are the most expensive type of heat pump available. On average, they will cost between £24,000 and £49,000 to buy and install.

The cost of a water source heat pump

Water source heat pumps are a less common type of heat pump because they need access to a water source to work. On average, a water source heat pump will cost £6,000 to £11,000 to buy and install.

Air source heat pump running costs

Like the cost of the heat pumps themselves, the cost of running an air source heat pump will depend on several different factors such as:

• the size of your home
• how well-insulated your home is
• the temperature you’d like your home to be

When looking at the running costs, it’s best to look at these figures as a range and split them up by different factors—such as house size and expected energy usage. This will help give you a more accurate estimate of the kind of costs you can expect.

We’ve broken down these costs for you in the table below, based on data from GreenMatch:

Annual cost or running an air source heat pump
Household size	Estimated annual energy usage	Estimated heat pump running costs
1 bedroom	8,000 kWh	£815
2-3 bedrooms	12,000 kWh	£1,130
4+ bedrooms	17,000 kWh	£1,795

Air source heat pump service costs

According to Checkatrade, the average air source heat pump service will cost between £150 and £300. However, with HomeServe you can arrange annual servicing for your air source heat pump from just £15 a month—offering you reliable maintenance at more manageable cost. For comparison, the average boiler costs around £60 to £120 to service.

Whilst you might be paying slightly more to service a heat pump, you’ll likely be making savings with your energy bills if you’re replacing an older boiler. Plus, most heat pump warranties require you to get them serviced annually—so by setting up a recurring annual heat pump service, you’re also protecting its warranty, and your wallet from additional costs too.

Can I get a government grant for an air source heat pump?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers a fantastic opportunity to simplify the transition from a traditional boiler to an air source heat pump system. In short, the scheme covers up to £7,500 of the costs of a heat pump installation. This initiative is designed to encourage the adoption of more efficient, low-carbon heating systems—making it easier to switch from fossil fuels to greener alternatives. Not to mention more affordable!

This scheme is available for those who live in England and Wales and is currently restricted to one grant per property, rather than per person. If you live in Scotland you may be able to get an interest-free loan or grant to make your home more energy efficient.

Unfortunately, the Boiler Replacement Scheme in Northern Ireland is no longer available but you may be eligible for a grant.

How much will I save with an air source heat pump?

According to GreenMatch, air source heat pumps can provide up to £290 in annual savings when compared against the cost of running a G-rated gas boiler. On top of the environmental benefits, that’s a pretty good reason to start thinking about getting a heat pump installed in your home.

Air source heat pump servicing you can rely on

Once you’ve installed an air source heat pump, keeping it running smoothly and efficiently is key. Choose from our range of air source heat pump servicing plans, starting from just £15 a month, and our home experts will take care of the rest for you.