How Much Does An Air Source Heat Pump Cost?
June 17, 2022
When it comes to upgrading or replacing a boiler, there are many factors you must take into account when choosing the right boiler for your property. Many homeowners are being urged to replace their outdated boilers with a more efficient and environmentally friendly heating system, known as the Air Source Heat Pump. In this article, I will be guiding you through all the costs of installing, maintaining and servicing air source heat pumps, and why they are so beneficial for you and your home. Here is what we will be covering in this blog:
What Is An Air Source Heat Pump?
Air source heat pumps have their own unique way of producing energy. They produce hot water and central heating by extracting warmth from the outside air and concentrating it indoors. These types of boilers have been proven to be more energy efficient, as they are completely carbon free and produce up to three times more energy than traditional gas heating systems.
It is crucial, however, to have adequate insulation in your home before installing an energy efficient heating system, such as a heat pump, to prevent heat from escaping from your house.
Besides being very efficient, it’s supported by the government’s new Clean Heat Grant, which will replace the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.
There are two types of air source heat pumps, known as:
- Air-to-air air source heat pump
- Air-to-water air source heat pump
Air-to-air source heat pumps capture heat from the outside air and transfer it into your home, causing the temperature to rise in each room within the household. Warm air from the outside is drawn into your house through fan coil units, or blowers. Be aware that the air-to-air source heat pump is not eligible for the domestics renewable heat incentive (RHI) Scheme.
Air-to-water source heat pumps absorb heat from the environment and transfer it into water. As a result, these systems work more efficiently at lower temperatures than standard boilers and distribute heat through your wet central heating system.
Air-to-water heating systems have gained popularity across the UK in recent years, as they are more beneficial for domestic houses as they provide heat to radiators and are extremely good at providing underfloor heating and hot water. Whereas air-to-air heat pumps provide heating by blowing warm air into your home, plus they are not able to produce hot water.
They tend to be used more for smaller properties such as flats/apartments, and are more useful in hotter climates as they can be used for both heating and cooling purposes.
For more information on how air source heat pumps actually work, click here.
How Much Does An Air Source Heat Pump Cost?
Although these modern types of heating systems outshine traditional boilers by producing more energy and being eco-friendly, the cost of running and installing an air source heat pump can be quite pricey. Depending on how well insulated your home is, you may end up paying more than a traditional gas boiler system. This is because of carbon taxes and subsidies being included in the price of electricity, causing the cost of electricity to be higher.
To purchase an air source heat pump, it will cost you roughly between £3,000-£18,000 depending on which type best suits your needs.
An air-to-air source heat pump is far less expensive than an air-to-water heat pump, as the demand for them is not as high across the country. For both supply and installation, it may cost you on average £1,600-£3,100.
For an air-to-water source heat pump you’re looking at around £4,000-£8,000 for supply and another £5,000-£10,000 for installation. All in all, it may cost you around £18,000 in total. Due to the high demand of this type of air source heat pump across the UK, they do tend to vary in price depending on many other factors. These factors are:
| Insulation | Is your home well insulated? If not, this can result in costly bills as your home requires more heat and energy than a home with good insulation. |
| Pump brand/performance | Depending on your budget you may go for what you can afford. Be mindful of the fact well-recognised brands will be more expensive, but may perform better. |
| Room temperature | You may need a more powerful pump if you desire a hotter environment. |
| Property size | The bigger the house, the more powerful your heat pump will need to be to provide enough heat and hot water throughout the household. Bigger houses such as detached houses may cost £8,000-£16,000 for supply and installation, whereas smaller properties such as semi-detached houses and bungalows may cost you between £7000-£10,000. |
What Is The Clean Heat Grant?
The UK government announced that a new grant would be available for heat pumps starting in April 2022 called the Clean Heat Grant. It will cover up to 90,000 heat pump installations over the next three years. The scheme is a great opportunity for people to start going green and save money on their energy bills over time. Currently, the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) grant ends in March 2022 and will be replaced by this new grant.
The new grant offers a £5,000 grant to replace boilers. To find out if you’re eligible, why not check out our eligibility criteria to receive a clean heat grant, or feel free to contact us.
How Much Do Air Source Heat Pumps Cost To Run?
Now, I know what you’re thinking – air source heat pumps can still be very expensive. However, when we look at the amount of benefits they have on an environmental scale compared to standard gas heating systems, heat pumps outshine traditional gas boilers by far.
Did you know that heat pumps are 300% more efficient than traditional boilers? According to EDF, the efficiency rates of a standard boiler are only 90%, with 10% being lost through burning fossil fuels to produce heat.
The cost of running air source heat pumps is determined by the coefficient of performance (COP), which measures how much heat is generated for every kilowatt of electricity used. It provides ratings based on how much heat the system generates for every kilowatt of electricity used. Lower COP means you use less electricity to produce heat, which means you save money. By investing in an air source heat pump, your annual bill may increase depending on your circumstances. Here is a table below which shows you the cost difference between a conventional gas boiler compared to an air source heat pump.
| Annual heat demand (kwh) | Efficiency | Annual energy use
(kwh) |
Energy price per kwh (1/4/22) | Annual costs of energy for heating & hot water | Annual gas standing charge | Total annual bill for heating & hot water | |
| Gas Boiler | 9,945 | 90% | 11,700 | £0.07 | £819.00 | £98.55 | £917.55 |
| Air Source heat pump | 9,945 | 300% | 3,315 | £0.28 | £928.00 | N/A | £928.20 |
As you can see, ASHP’s may cost you a little more annually. Nevertheless, they are completely carbon free and are way more efficient than your traditional boiler.
Air Source Heat Pump Maintenance And Servicing
The cost of servicing a heat pump is very little, starting from £130 to £200 plus VAT. Most heat pumps only require a check-up every 3-5 years by a professional installer, although we suggest having your heat pump inspected by a HVAC professional at least once a year. For commercial purposes, you may need to service your heat pump between 2-3 times a year due to high performance.
Air Source Heat Pumps must be serviced annually to maintain their warranty. To qualify for the Renewable Heat Incentive, your heat pump must be operating effectively, which can be achieved best by having it regularly serviced.
Qualified or not, maintaining a heat pump yourself is fairly straightforward, which can be beneficial if you’re trying to save money on gas bills. Here are a few steps for you to follow in order to maintain your heat pumps performance:
- Clean and or swap out filters.
- Clean coils and fans (if necessary)
- Ensure proper air flow is not impeded by debris (leaves, dust etc.)
- Clean the supply and return registers inside the property.
- Power off the unit and check / clean fan blades.
- Keep shrubs pruned back at least 18 inches from all sides of the heat pump to allow for proper airflow and servicing.
Air Source Heat Pump Lifespan
With good maintenance and servicing, your ASHP’s lifespan could easily last up to between 15-20 years. The average lifespan for a conventional gas boiler is typically 10-15 years, especially if it has been well maintained and serviced annually on a regular basis.
If you’re looking to replace your traditional, outdated heating system and go green with a more modern, contemporary heating system, then feel free to give us a call or contact us via email. With so many environmental benefits, you will be helping us achieve our goal in making Britain a more sustainable Britain; a greener future for us all!
