An air source heat pump (ASHP) for a typical UK home costs £10,500–£15,500 fully installed. After the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, most homeowners pay £3,000–£8,000 out of pocket. Running costs are similar to or lower than gas in well-insulated homes.
Install cost by property size
1–2 bed flat: £8,500–£11,000. 3-bed semi: £11,000–£13,500. 4-bed detached: £13,500–£15,500. Larger output (e.g. 16kW vs 8kW) and emitter upgrades (bigger radiators) add £1,500–£3,500.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant
England and Wales: £7,500 off the install via the BUS grant, paid directly to the installer. No income cap. Applied at point of quote; you never see the money but the headline price drops.
Running cost vs gas
At current price-cap rates, a well-installed ASHP with a SCOP of 3.5 costs roughly the same per kWh of heat as a gas boiler. In airtight, well-insulated homes the cost is 10–25% lower.
What to budget for
Heat loss survey (£250–£600, often refundable on order), radiator upgrades in 2–4 rooms (£800–£2,500), a 200L cylinder if not already present (£1,200–£1,800), and electrical supply upgrade if your fuse is undersized (£500–£1,200).
Air source heat pump; typical UK install (2026)
| 8kW system installed | £10,500 – £12,500 |
| 12kW system installed | £12,500 – £14,500 |
| 16kW system installed | £14,000 – £15,500 |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant | – £7,500 |
| Net price after grant | £3,000 – £8,000 |
See what installers in your area would actually charge.
Get matched quotesFrequently asked questions
Are heat pumps cheaper than gas?+
Roughly the same per kWh of heat at current price-cap rates. In well-insulated homes with a SCOP above 3.5, they're 10–25% cheaper than mains gas.
How long does heat pump installation take?+
Typically 3–5 working days for a domestic ASHP, including radiator upgrades and commissioning.