Cost guide
How much do heat pumps cost?
An air source heat pump costs £7,000 to £13,000 installed before grant. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme takes £7,500 off in England and Wales for eligible properties, and the installer claims it, so it comes off the quoted price.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A quote depends on your room.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Air source heat pump, three-bedroom house | £9,000 to £13,000 |
| Air source heat pump, flat or small house | £7,000 to £10,000 |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, England and Wales | minus £7,500 |
| Heat loss survey and system design | £300 to £800 |
| Radiator upsizing, per radiator | £200 to £450 |
| Cylinder with heat pump coil | £1,200 to £2,400 |
The survey is the product. A quote without a room by room heat loss calculation and a stated design flow temperature is a price for an appliance, not for a heating system, and the difference shows up in the first cold week.
What moves the price
- Heat loss of the property, which sets the size of the unit.
- How many radiators need upsizing to run at a lower flow temperature.
- Whether the hot water cylinder is being replaced with one carrying a heat pump coil.
- Siting: pipe run from the unit to the plant position, and any acoustic or screening requirement.
- Electrical supply and whether the consumer unit can take the additional load.
- Whether the property qualifies for the grant, which needs an MCS certified installer.
What the money buys: air source heat pump installation.
Who quotes for it
Questions about heat pumps
Will a heat pump work in an old house?
Yes, if the heat loss is calculated and the emitters are sized for it. Insulation reduces the size of unit needed and the running cost, but poor insulation is a cost question rather than a barrier.
Do I need planning permission?
Usually not in England under permitted development, subject to siting and noise conditions. Listed buildings, conservation areas and the other UK nations have different rules, so check before ordering.