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Air Source Heat Pump Installation in the UK (2025)
- For 3 - 4 bedroom homes in the UK, an air source heat pump costs between £10,500 - £13,500 (4kW - 16kW), or £12,000 on average.
- You can expect a typical air source installation to take 2 to 5 days to complete, mostly depending on the complexity of the installation.
- It's not recommended that you install a new air source heat yourself, as doing so could invalidate the manufacturer's warranty or cause you to miss out on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Air source heat pumps are one of the most promising renewable heating technologies available today in the UK. Relatively speaking, these systems are simple and affordable to install, especially compared to ground source heat pumps. Once installed, they operate efficiently and can save you money on your electricity bill.
In this article, we'll take a look at the air source heat pump installation process—how long it might take and how much it might cost.
If you're already ready to start installing an air source heat pump for your home, then be sure to get your tailored installation quotes from WhatCost.
All you have to do is fill in our quick contact form to hear from up to 4 heat pump installers. You can then compare their tailored quotes and choose the one that suits you best. Save hours of searching on your own, and let us do the hard work for you.
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How to install a heat pump?
The process of installing an air-to-water heat pump can be summarised into the following steps:
- Find an installer: Comparing quotes from professional, MCS-qualified installers will ensure your project is in the right hands and that you’re eligible for certain grants.
- Site evaluation: The installer will assess your property to determine if an air source heat pump installation is viable, and what power output might be required to meet your energy demands.
- Old heating system is removed: The installer will remove your existing heating system and dispose of it safely to make way for your new heat pump.
- Outdoor unit installation: The unit is placed outside the property, by either bolting it to the ground or mounting it against an outside wall.
- Indoor unit installation: This includes connecting an indoor unit to a compressor and hot water cylinder, and upgrading piping or radiators if necessary.
- Connection: A small hole is drilled through the wall to connect the outdoor and indoor units, and the hot water cylinder is connected to radiators and pipework. The system is connected to the electrical supply, which may require upgrades.
- System setup and testing: The installer configures the system and performs a series of checks to ensure proper operation. Following successful testing, you are ready to use your new heat pump!
While air to air heat pumps are also available, an air to water heat pump is recommended since air to air heat pumps can only provide heating and cooling for your house but not hot water. Installing one then means you will also need to consider a separate system to provide hot water.
Air source heat pump installation diagram
Once installed, the heat pump absorbs heat from the outside air, vapourising the heat pump refrigerant. The heat from this process is released into your home via your heating system. The vapour is then turned back into a liquid and cooled down so that the cycle can begin again.
Take a closer look at the stages of the process in the animation below:
How long does it take to install a heat pump system?
Installing an air source heat pump in the UK can take 2 to 5 days. However, depending on the complexity of the installation, it can take even longer.
If your existing heating system or wiring needs replacing, the process will take some more time. Similarly, if you need to replace your hot water cylinder or install a new one entirely, the installation process will take some more time.
What maintenance is needed post-installation?
Once your heat pump is up and running, it won't require much maintenance to keep it going—that is, besides some routine checks by a service engineer every 2 or 3 years.
These checks ensure that your system is running as it should and can help identify potential issues early to avoid costly repairs down the line. Keeping on top of service checks will help prolong your heat pump's lifespan to 20+ years.
Costs of installing a heat pump
For UK homes with 3 - 4 bedrooms, an air source heat pump costs between £10,500 - £13,500 (4kW - 16kW), or £12,000 on average.
The table below summarises the heat pump costs you can expect per heat pump size, including installation and ancillary costs.
| Household size | 4kW | 6kW | 8kW | 10kW | 13kW | 16kW | Average total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 beds | £8,000 | £8,500 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | £8,250 |
| 3-4 beds | £10,500 | £11,000 | £11,500 | £12,500 | £13,000 | £13,500 | £12,000 |
| 5-6 beds | N/A | N/A | £14,500 | £15,000 | £16,000 | £16,500 | £15,500 |
| Average total | £9,250 | £10,000 | £13,000 | £13,500 | £14,500 | £15,000 | £12,500 |
Besides the size of your new heat pump, some of the key factors influencing air source heat pump costs in the UK include:
Existing heating system
Your current heating system plays a significant role in the cost and complexity of air source heat pump installation.
- Compatibility with current infrastructure: If your home’s existing pipework or radiators are outdated or incompatible with a heat pump’s lower flow temperatures, you may need to upgrade them. Heat pumps operate most efficiently with underfloor heating or large radiators that can distribute heat evenly at lower temperatures.
- Removal and disposal: If you have an old boiler or heating system, it must be removed and disposed of.
- Electrical supply upgrades: A heat pump requires a reliable and sufficient power supply. Older homes may need electrical upgrades, such as a new consumer unit, to support the system.
Insulation quality
Heat pumps are designed to work efficiently in well-insulated homes, as they operate at lower temperatures than traditional boilers. Therefore, the insulation quality of your property directly impacts the system’s performance and energy efficiency.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Through this government initiative, homeowners in England or Wales can receive a heat pump grant of up to £7,500 to install an air or ground source heat pump.
To qualify:
- The property must be located in England or Wales.
- The heat pump must replace an existing fossil fuel heating system (e.g., gas, oil, or coal).
- The installation must be carried out by an MCS-certified installer.
You can apply through an approved installer, who will handle the application on your behalf.
Once approved, the grant amount is deducted from the overall installation cost.
Knowing how much a heat pump might cost puts you in the best position to find a good deal. WhatCost's free service helps you skip the hours of research it might take to find a trustworthy installer on your own. Simply fill in our form to receive up to 4 tailored quotes from vetted installers.
Get your free, non-binding heat pump quotes by clicking the button below.
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Can you install a heat pump yourself?
It's not recommended that you install an air source heat pump yourself without the proper knowledge and qualifications. Doing so could result in personal injury or damage to the heat pump or heating system.
Not only that but without professional installation, you will likely invalidate your heat pump warranty and be ineligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Working with a qualified installer ensures that your installation is carried out safely and to the highest quality standards.
How to find the best installer
Installing a heat pump can be a lengthy and expensive process. However, it's certainly worth it, considering the highly efficient heating and cooling you can expect for many years to come. What's more, you can ease the installation process by letting WhatCost cover the hard part for you.
The process is simple: fill in the form with some key details about your project. Up to 4 vetted heat pump installers will then contact you with their tailored quotes. After consulting these options, you can choose the best one for your needs and budget. Save yourself hours of research time by letting WhatCost do the hard part for you.
Click the button below to get started.
- Quotes from local installers
- Payment by finance available
- Save £7,500 with BUS grant
Frequently asked questions