Air Source Heat Pumps in the UK
An air source heat pump pulls warmth out of the outside air and uses it to heat your radiators, underfloor heating and hot water. It is the most common type of heat pump in the UK, fitted in roughly nine out of ten installs. Most homes pay between £8,000 and £14,000 fitted, and the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant takes a big chunk off that.
Quick Answer
An air source heat pump costs £8,000 to £14,000 installed in the UK, or as little as £500 to £6,500 after the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. It produces about 3 to 4 units of heat per unit of electricity, cutting heating bills sharply against oil, LPG and electric heating.
Prices as of early 2026, based on UK MCS-certified installer quotes.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
How much does an air source heat pump cost?
A typical air source heat pump runs £8,000 to £14,000 fully installed in 2026. Where you land depends on the size of your home, the brand, and whether your radiators or hot water cylinder need upgrading. In the quotes we see from UK installers, radiator upgrades are the line that varies most between homes. The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is taken off by your installer at the point of install, so most homes pay £500 to £6,500 net.
| Home Size | Heat Pump Size | Cost Before Grant | Net After £7,500 Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bed flat or small house | 4–6 kW | £8,000–£10,000 | £500–£2,500 |
| 3 bed semi (typical) | 6–8 kW | £9,000–£12,000 | £1,500–£4,500 |
| 4–5 bed detached | 8–12 kW | £11,000–£14,000 | £3,500–£6,500 |
| Large or poorly insulated home | 12–16 kW | £14,000–£18,000+ | £6,500–£10,500+ |
Figures include the heat pump, hot water cylinder, install labour and commissioning at 0% VAT. Radiator upgrades, if needed, add £800 to £2,500. See the full heat pump cost breakdown.
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Get a Quote →Best air source heat pumps in the UK
The best heat pump is usually the one your installer fits regularly and designs well, a bad design wastes more money than any brand difference. That said, these are the air source brands UK installers fit most, with their headline strengths.
| Brand | Known For | SCOP | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vaillant aroTHERM plus | R290 refrigerant, high flow temp for older homes | 4.5+ | Read review → |
| Mitsubishi Ecodan | Most-installed, compact, low noise | 4.3–4.6 | Read review → |
| Daikin Altherma 3 | Widest range, hybrid and high-temp options | 4.2–4.7 | Read review → |
| NIBE S2125 | Cold-weather efficiency, premium build | 4.5+ | Read review → |
See all options on our heat pump brands comparison.
Air source heat pump running costs
Running cost comes down to your seasonal efficiency (SCOP) and your electricity tariff. A well-designed system with a SCOP of 3.5 to 4 turns one unit of electricity into 3.5 to 4 units of heat, which is why it beats direct electric heating outright and undercuts oil and LPG for most homes.
| Heating System | Annual Cost (avg 3-bed) |
|---|---|
| Oil boiler | £1,500–£2,200 |
| LPG boiler | £1,800–£2,600 |
| Gas boiler | £1,000–£1,500 |
| Electric storage heaters | £1,800–£2,500 |
| Air source heat pump | £700–£1,100 |
| Heat pump on a specialist tariff | £500–£900 |
Heat pump tariffs such as Octopus Cosy and British Gas heat pump rates offer cheaper units for several hours a day. Pairing a heat pump with solar panels cuts running costs further by powering it from your own generation.
Air source heat pump pros and cons
Pros
- Cheaper to run than oil, LPG and electric heating
- £7,500 BUS grant and 0% VAT cut the upfront cost
- One system covers heating and hot water
- Lasts 15 to 20 years, longer than a boiler
- Lower carbon, and cleaner still on a renewable tariff
- Improves your EPC rating, often by 2 to 3 grades
Cons
- High upfront cost before the grant is applied
- Works best in a well-insulated home (EPC C or better)
- Older radiators may need upsizing for low flow temps
- Outdoor unit needs space and produces some fan noise
- Savings are smaller if you currently heat with mains gas
Not sure it stacks up for your home? Read are heat pumps worth it and heat pumps vs boilers.
Air source vs ground source
Air source units are cheaper to install and suit most homes. Ground source heat pumps cost more upfront but run at a higher efficiency (SCOP 4 to 5) and suit homes with garden space for ground loops. Compare both on our ground source heat pump guide.
Air Source Heat Pump FAQ
How much does an air source heat pump cost in the UK?
An air source heat pump costs £8,000 to £14,000 installed in 2026. After the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, most homes pay £500 to £6,500 net. A typical 3-bed semi needs a 6 to 8 kW unit costing £9,000 to £12,000 before the grant.
Are air source heat pumps any good for UK homes?
Yes, for the right home. A well-designed air source heat pump with a SCOP of 3.5 to 4 is cheaper to run than oil, LPG and electric heating, lasts 15 to 20 years, and qualifies for the £7,500 grant. They work best in homes insulated to EPC C or better with correctly sized radiators.
Do air source heat pumps work in winter?
Yes. Modern air source heat pumps work efficiently down to -15°C, well below typical UK winter lows. Output drops slightly in very cold weather but they stay far more efficient than direct electric heating throughout a UK winter.
Are air source heat pumps noisy?
Modern units produce about 40 to 50 dB at 1 metre, similar to a quiet fridge or low conversation. Planning rules require the outdoor unit to be sited to limit noise at the boundary. Indoor noise is negligible.
Are air source heat pumps expensive to run?
No, not for most homes. A 3-bed home spends around £700 to £1,100 a year running an air source heat pump, dropping to £500 to £900 on a specialist heat pump tariff. That undercuts oil, LPG and electric heating, and pairing with solar lowers it further.
Can air source heat pumps work with existing radiators?
Often yes, but some radiators may need upsizing because heat pumps run at lower flow temperatures (35 to 50°C) than boilers (60 to 70°C). A heat loss survey determines which, if any, radiators need upgrading. High-temperature models like the Vaillant aroTHERM plus can run up to 75°C for older setups.
Is an air source or ground source heat pump better?
Air source suits most UK homes: cheaper to install and simpler to fit. Ground source costs more upfront but runs at higher efficiency (SCOP 4 to 5) and suits homes with garden space for ground loops or boreholes. Both qualify for the same £7,500 grant.
For more detail on the common questions, see whether heat pumps work in winter, how noisy they are, and whether your radiators need upgrading.
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Related Guides
Heat Pump Cost
Full price breakdown by type and home size, plus running costs.
Are Heat Pumps Worth It?
Honest verdict by home type, running costs, payback and pros and cons.
Heat Pump Installation
The process, timeline, and cost of installing a heat pump.
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Cost, efficiency, ground loops vs boreholes, and the £7,500 grant.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
- Energy Saving Trust: Air Source Heat Pumps
- MCS: Certified Products & Installers
Last updated: June 2026
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He researches every battery and inverter brand against manufacturer datasheets, MCS and Ofgem data, and feedback from the MCS-certified installers in our directory before publishing.
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