Air Source Heat Pump Costs and Savings in the UK
An air source heat pump extracts heat from outside air to warm your home and hot water, typically replacing a gas, oil or LPG boiler. Here’s what UK homeowners typically pay, and what it saves on running costs.
What a heat pump costs
Because every home’s requirements differ, it’s nearly impossible to give an accurate installed cost from a page like this. The real figure depends on your home’s size and insulation, the heat pump capacity needed, and the installer you choose, among other things. Get matched with an installer for a quote based on your actual property.
Running cost savings vs gas
Running-cost savings depend heavily on your electricity tariff, not just the heat pump itself. On a standard variable tariff, heat pump electricity can cost three to four times as much as gas per kWh, which eats into most of the efficiency advantage and can leave running costs close to, or even above, a gas boiler’s. The real savings show up on a dedicated heat-pump or off-peak tariff, several suppliers offer these now, where running costs typically come in 30 to 70% lower than gas in a property with reasonable insulation, working out to roughly £200 to £450 a year depending on the system, the tariff and how well-insulated the home is. That’s on top of no longer paying for an annual gas boiler service, typically around £120 a year.
Payback period
Payback from running-cost savings alone depends on your current heating system, how well-insulated your home is, and whether you’re on a tariff that actually makes the heat pump cheaper to run. Homes with poor insulation, or still on a standard tariff, will see a longer payback.
These figures are UK-wide averages for illustration, not a quote. Your actual cost and savings depend on your current heating system, home insulation, location and the installer you choose. Get matched with vetted installers for a quote based on your own home.