Air source heat pump costs
How Much Does an Air Source Heat Pump Cost in 2026?
A professionally designed domestic air source heat pump installation will typically cost around £9,500–£16,000 before grant. The real price depends on your home’s heat loss, the system it needs and the work required to make it perform properly.
Last reviewed: 11 September 2026 · Technical review: Lee Gillett, Enerus Limited
The short answer
What should you budget?
For many UK homes, a complete air source heat pump installation falls between £9,500 and £16,000. Energy Saving Trust uses around £12,000 as a typical figure, but a responsible installer cannot confirm your price from bedroom count alone.
Your quote should be based on a room-by-room heat loss calculation, the required heat pump output, radiator performance at lower flow temperatures, hot water demand and the practical details of the installation. That is why two similar-looking houses can receive different quotations.
Illustrative project profiles
Air source heat pump prices before and after grant
Choose a grant view to see how the available support can change the homeowner contribution. These examples are budgeting guides—not quotations.
Smaller or heat-efficient home
Lower design heat loss, straightforward access and limited changes to radiators, pipework or electrics.
£9,500–£11,500 Estimated installed cost before grantAverage family home
A complete air-to-water system with a suitable cylinder and some emitter or installation upgrades.
£11,000–£14,000 Estimated installed cost before grantLarger or harder-to-heat home
Higher heat loss, more zones, extensive radiator or pipework changes, and a more involved installation.
£14,000–£20,000+ Estimated installed cost before grantGrant eligibility is subject to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rules. The £9,000 view applies only to qualifying properties; figures never fall below £0 and exclude finance costs.
Designed around the property
What affects the cost of a heat pump?
The heat pump unit is only one part of the price. Good performance starts with an accurate design and a heating system that can deliver the required heat efficiently.
Heat loss and system size
Insulation, glazing, air leakage, exposed walls and local design temperature determine the output your home needs—not floor area alone.
Radiators and emitters
Existing radiators are checked at the proposed flow temperature. Only those unable to meet the room demand should need upgrading.
Hot water provision
Many installations need a compatible hot water cylinder, sized for the household’s demand and available storage space.
Pipework and hydraulics
Flow rates are different from a boiler system. Pipe sizing, circulation, zoning and system layout can add work to a retrofit.
Electrical work
The design may require a dedicated supply, protective devices, controls or other upgrades completed by a qualified electrician.
Site and installation
Outdoor-unit access, base construction, condensate drainage, cable routes, pipe runs and lifting requirements all affect labour and materials.
A complete installation
Where does the money go?
A heat pump quote should cover far more than the appliance. Select each stage to see the work behind a properly designed system.
Stage 1 of 4
Survey and heat loss design
The installer gathers the information required to design for your actual home and comfort requirements.
- Room-by-room heat loss calculation
- Emitter output and flow-temperature assessment
- Hot water demand and cylinder sizing
- Outdoor-unit position and practical installation plan
Stage 2 of 4
Heat pump and core equipment
The system is selected to meet the design load without relying on guesswork or unnecessary oversizing.
- Air source heat pump and controls
- Compatible hot water cylinder where required
- Pumps, valves, filters and hydraulic components
- Manufacturer accessories and weather compensation
Stage 3 of 4
Heating-system improvements
Necessary changes help the home stay warm at an efficient, lower water temperature.
- Selected radiator or underfloor-heating upgrades
- Pipework alterations and insulation
- Electrical supply and controls work
- Base, drainage and external service routes
Stage 4 of 4
Installation, commissioning and handover
The final result depends on setup as much as hardware. Commissioning turns the design into a working system.
- Installation by qualified trades
- System flushing, testing and commissioning
- Controls setup and homeowner guidance
- MCS documentation, warranty and grant paperwork
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
How much heat pump grant could you receive?
Eligible property owners in England and Wales can receive an upfront grant towards a low-carbon heating system. The installer applies and the grant is normally deducted from the amount you pay.
Standard air-to-water heat pump grant
£7,500Available for an eligible air source heat pump installation under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Qualifying oil or LPG-heated property
£9,000Until March 2027, qualifying homes heated by oil or LPG and not connected to the mains gas grid may receive an additional £1,500.
Important eligibility points
- You must own the property, including as a landlord or eligible business owner.
- The installation must replace an eligible fossil-fuel or direct-electric heating system.
- An MCS-certified installer must complete the work and grant application.
- Hybrid heat pump systems are not eligible.
- Only one grant is available per property.
- Scheme rules and enhanced-grant dates can change, so eligibility should be checked before ordering.
Installation price is only half the picture
What will a heat pump cost to run?
Running cost depends on the heat your home needs, the seasonal efficiency of the system and the electricity price you actually pay.
A well-designed heat pump can deliver more than three units of heat for each unit of electricity used over suitable conditions. Results vary, however, and poor sizing, high flow temperatures or unsuitable controls can reduce performance.
Smart time-of-use tariffs may lower costs if demand can be shifted. If gas is removed completely, you may also avoid the annual gas standing charge.
Annual useful heat demand ÷ seasonal efficiency (SCOP)
Illustrative running-cost calculator
Adjust the assumptions to understand the relationship. This is not an energy assessment or quotation.
Excludes standing charges, tariff variations and household electricity. Use heat-demand and efficiency figures from a professional assessment for a meaningful comparison.
Compare like with like
What should a professional quote include?
A low headline price is not useful if essential design, upgrades or certification appear later as extras. Ask for a clear written scope.
Heat loss survey
Room-by-room calculations and design assumptions.
System specification
Heat pump model, output and proposed design temperature.
Emitter schedule
Radiators retained or replaced, with stated outputs.
Hot water system
Cylinder capacity, recovery and component details.
Installation works
Pipework, electrics, base, drainage and making good.
Controls and setup
Weather compensation, zoning and commissioning.
Certification
MCS paperwork, Building Regulations and warranties.
Grant treatment
Price before grant, grant value and final amount payable.
Price versus long-term value
The cheapest quote is not always the lowest-cost system
Questions to ask every installer
- What is the calculated design heat loss?
- What flow temperature has been used?
- What seasonal performance is being modelled?
- Which radiators need changing, and why?
- What is excluded from the price?
What good value looks like
- A system sized from evidence rather than guesswork
- Lower design temperatures where practical
- Clear, necessary home upgrades
- Thorough commissioning and homeowner guidance
- Responsive warranty and aftercare support
Local design matters
Air source heat pump costs across the North East
North East homes range from compact modern properties to exposed rural houses, Victorian terraces and larger stone buildings. Local winter conditions, construction, access and whether a property is off the gas grid can all influence the appropriate design.
Enerus assesses the home itself before recommending equipment. That means the price reflects the heat loss, hot water demand and installation work—not a generic package based only on bedrooms.
Why begin with an estimate?
The Enerus online tool gives you a useful starting point based on your property and local climate. It can indicate likely heat loss, suitable heat pump options, running-cost assumptions and possible grant support.
A home survey and detailed design are still required before a final fixed-price proposal.
Start my heat pump estimateCommon questions
Air source heat pump cost FAQs
How much does an air source heat pump cost in the UK?
A complete domestic installation commonly costs around £9,500–£16,000 before grant. Energy Saving Trust uses around £12,000 as a typical installation figure. The final price depends on the heat-loss design, equipment, radiators, cylinder, pipework, electrics and site work.
How much is a heat pump after the £7,500 grant?
On an eligible £12,000 installation, the homeowner contribution would be about £4,500 after a £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. This is a simple illustration; eligibility and the final project price must be confirmed.
Who can receive the £9,000 heat pump grant?
Until March 2027, eligible properties currently heated by oil or LPG and not connected to the mains gas grid may receive the standard £7,500 grant plus an additional £1,500. Other scheme requirements still apply.
Will all my radiators need replacing?
Not necessarily. Each radiator should be checked against the room’s calculated heat loss at the proposed flow temperature. Some may already be suitable; others may need to be larger or replaced with another emitter.
Can an older house have a heat pump?
Often, yes. Age alone does not determine suitability. The key questions are heat loss, achievable emitter output, available space and the practical installation route. Some older homes benefit from insulation or heating-system improvements.
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than a gas boiler?
It can be, but it is not guaranteed. The comparison depends on seasonal efficiency, flow temperature, heat demand, electricity and gas tariffs, controls and whether the gas standing charge can be removed. Ask for a property-specific running-cost comparison.
Do I need a new hot water cylinder?
Many air-to-water installations require a heat-pump-compatible cylinder, particularly when replacing a combi boiler. An existing cylinder may sometimes be retained if its specification, coil area, condition and capacity are suitable.
How long does heat pump installation take?
Duration varies with the scope. A straightforward installation may take several working days, while extensive radiator, pipework, cylinder or electrical changes can take longer. Your written proposal should include an expected programme.
Can I get a fixed price without a survey?
An online estimate can set expectations, but a reliable fixed price normally requires a home survey, heat-loss calculations and confirmation of the required installation work.
How can I reduce the total cost?
Use the available grant, compare quotations on the same scope and avoid unnecessary oversizing or blanket radiator replacement. Sensible insulation improvements may reduce heat demand, but any changes should be reflected in the final heat-loss design.
A clearer place to start
Find out what a heat pump could cost for your home
Get a personalised online estimate based on your property, local North East climate, likely heat loss and available grant support.