Air Source Heat Pumps: Installation Cost Factors and Savings

If you’re warming up to the idea replacing your existing heating system with an air source heat pump, but you’re worried about the potential cost, then let us put your mind at ease. In this blog we explore some of the factors that will influence the cost of installing your new heating system.

 

Let’s talk ballpark figures

The cost of purchasing and installing an air source heat pump in a domestic property ranges between £8,500 and £12,000. Whilst this is more expensive than installing a new gas boiler, you’re likely to be eligible for a substantial grant to help cover the cost of your new heat pump.

 

If you live in England and Wales, the UK government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers grants up to £7,500 towards the cost and installation of a heat pump. If you live in Scotland the Home Energy Scotland Grant Loan offers funding up to £7,500 or £9,000 for households which qualify, with additional funding available as an optional interest-free loan.

 

Factors affecting installation costs

There are several factors that will affect the cost of installing your new heating system. Let’s take a look…

 

Will you need a water tank?

 If you don’t already have a hot water tank then you will need to have one installed. That’s because unlike a combi-boiler, a heat pump doesn’t provide hot water on demand, so you need a storage solution. The cost of a new hot water tank installation depends upon the type of tank, its size and capacity and where it’s being installed. If space is a potential issue then a Sunap heat battery might be a solution. They can be up to four times smaller than equivalent hot water cylinders and deliver mains pressure, on-demand hot water. We can advise on all these factors during your free heat pump survey.

 

Will you need additional insulation?

Heat pumps have a lower temperature output compared to traditional gas boilers. If your home lacks adequate insulation, you may need to consider measures to reduce heat loss and enhance energy efficiency. Our engineer will conduct a thorough heat loss survey during your heat pump survey, assessing each room's dimensions, window size, glazing type, radiator size, and the construction of your walls, floors, and ceilings. This helps calculate the heat loss in each room using specialist software, enabling us to advise you on any additional insulation required.

 

Will you need to replace radiators? Customers often ask whether they will need to replace their radiators with larger ones when fitting a new heat pump. Since heat pumps have a lower temperature output than traditional gas boilers, larger radiators can enhance efficiency. Most UK homes have oversized radiators for gas boiler systems running at 60°C. These oversized radiators are usually adequate for a heat pump outputting just 40°C. Our professional installers will assess the compatibility of your existing radiators and determine if they can adequately heat your home. If replacements are necessary, we can provide a cost estimate. Find out more about replacing radiators for a heat pumps.

 

Is it more expensive to connect to underfloor heating?
Air source heat pumps are a great match for homes with underfloor heating as both systems operate at lower temperatures, meaning they can provide a highly efficient and eco-friendly heating solution. The good news is, there’s no additional cost for connecting your heat pump to your underfloor heating system.

 

Other factors affecting installation costs
The size of your property and the complexity of the system will also impact installation costs. Larger or older properties that have high heat loss can benefit from a Cascade System, which is essentially a bank of multiple heat pumps connected together. At present planning permission is required, but the government grant is applicable.

 

Understanding the costs
We appreciate that before you decide to invest in a heat pump you need to understand the costs involved. The best place to start is by booking in your free, no obligation heat pump survey. Our experienced installers will be able to advise you on all of the factors we’ve discussed above. They can also assess your eligibility for the government’s £7,500k Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, which we can apply for on your behalf. Learn more about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

 

Ready to get started?
If you’re interested in booking a free survey, then the first step is to register your interest. We’ll then contact you to get the process started. With national coverage, we can dispatch an engineer out to you no matter where you are. 

 

If you want to know roughly how much a heat pump will cost you – then find out using our cost calculator.

 

We look forward to helping you on your journey to a more sustainable future!

 

Suggested further reading
Heat pump installation – a step by step guide

What your free heat pump survey will tell you

7 ways keep your home warm and save energy this winter