Air source heat pump
An air source heat pump is the most common starting point for many UK home installations. It uses an outdoor unit and usually needs checks around radiator sizing, hot water storage, insulation and electrical supply.
Heat pump cost calculator
Heat Pump Cost Calculator UK
Estimate the cost of installing a heat pump in a UK home based on property size, heat pump type, insulation condition, radiator upgrades, hot water storage, outdoor unit access, specification, region and contingency. Use this calculator when comparing low-carbon heating with a boiler replacement or planning a wider home energy upgrade.
Heat pump installation or boiler replacement?
A boiler replacement usually keeps the same heating approach. A heat pump installation changes how the home is heated, so the cost can include more than the outdoor unit itself. Radiator sizing, hot water storage, insulation, electrical work and outdoor unit placement can all affect the final estimate.
| Situation | Better starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing an old gas boiler like for like | Boiler Installation Cost Calculator | The project is mainly a boiler replacement. |
| Moving away from gas heating | Heat Pump Cost Calculator | The project is a low-carbon heating upgrade. |
| Poor insulation or heat loss | Insulation Cost Calculator | Heat loss affects system performance and project scope. |
| Planning EPC improvements | EPC Improvement Cost Calculator | Heat pumps may be one part of a wider plan. |
| Comparing heating options | Use both boiler and heat pump calculators | The installation scope can be very different. |
What type of heat pump are you pricing?
Heat pump type changes the estimate because air source, hybrid and ground source systems use different installation methods and cost ranges.
Hybrid heat pump system
A hybrid system combines a heat pump with another heating source. Costs can vary because the design depends on how the systems work together and what parts of the existing setup are reused.
Ground source heat pump
A ground source heat pump is usually more complex because the ground loop or borehole work can increase installation scope. This calculator treats it as a higher-cost, wider-range option.
Typical UK heat pump installation cost ranges
These are broad planning ranges. Use the calculator above for a more specific estimate based on property size, insulation, emitters, hot water storage, outdoor access, electrical work and region.
| Heat pump project | Typical planning range | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Air source heat pump, simpler installation | £7,500–£14,000+ | Homes with suitable insulation and emitters |
| Air source heat pump with radiator upgrades | £10,000–£18,000+ | Homes needing emitter improvements |
| Air source heat pump with cylinder and extra work | £11,000–£20,000+ | Homes needing hot water changes |
| Hybrid heat pump system | £8,500–£16,000+ | Projects keeping part of the existing system |
| Ground source / complex system | £18,000–£35,000+ | Larger or more complex installations |
A heat loss assessment and installer survey are needed before a fixed quote can be confirmed.
What affects heat pump installation cost?
A heat pump is not priced like a simple boiler swap because the wider heating system may need to support lower-temperature operation. The final estimate can change because of insulation, radiators, hot water storage, outdoor access and electrical work.
Heat pump type
Air source, hybrid and ground source systems sit in different cost bands because the installation scope is different.
Property size and heat demand
Larger homes usually need higher system capacity, more design work and closer checks around heat loss.
Insulation condition
Poor insulation can increase the scope because the system may need extra support to heat the property efficiently.
Radiator or emitter upgrades
Heat pumps often perform best with correctly sized radiators, emitters or underfloor heating.
Hot water cylinder
A compatible cylinder may be needed, especially when changing from a combi boiler setup.
Outdoor unit location
Placement, access, clearance and shared access can affect labour and installation complexity.
Why insulation matters before a heat pump
A heat pump can be more sensitive to heat loss than a like-for-like boiler replacement. If the home loses heat quickly, the system may need to work harder, radiators may need to be larger and the installation design may change. That is why insulation condition is one of the most important inputs in this calculator.
If heat loss is likely to be a major issue, use the Insulation Cost Calculator before comparing heat pump options.
Radiators, emitters and hot water storage
A heat pump estimate can change when existing radiators are too small, underfloor heating is being added or the hot water cylinder is not compatible. These costs are separate from the heat pump unit itself and can make a simple installation more complex.
Existing radiators
Some homes can keep existing radiators, but they still need to be checked against the heat pump design.
Larger radiators
Larger radiators or emitters may be needed if the current system is not suitable for lower-temperature heating.
Underfloor heating
Underfloor heating or larger emitter changes can increase installation cost and disruption.
Hot water cylinder
A compatible cylinder may be required, especially when the home currently uses a combi boiler.
Controls
Controls help the system run correctly and can affect the overall specification.
System balancing
The heating system may need balancing after installation so rooms heat evenly.
Heat pump and EPC improvement planning
A heat pump may form part of an EPC improvement plan, but it should not be viewed in isolation. Insulation, heating controls, solar panels and heat-loss reduction can all affect the final result. If your main goal is a better rating, use the EPC Improvement Cost Calculator and compare it with the Insulation Cost Calculator and Solar Panel Cost Calculator.
Solar panels and heat pumps
Some homeowners consider solar panels when planning a heat pump because both affect household electricity use. The heat pump estimate should focus on installation cost, while the solar estimate should be priced separately around system size, roof layout and inverter setup.
I’m pricing the heating system
Stay with this Heat Pump Cost Calculator if the main question is installation scope, radiator upgrades, cylinder work, outdoor unit location and heating system design.
I’m pricing electricity generation or storage
Use the Solar Panel Cost Calculator for solar PV and the Solar Battery Cost Calculator if battery storage is part of the plan.
What may be included in a heat pump installation estimate?
Heat pump quotes can vary because some include only the main installation while others include wider heating system changes. Use this table to understand what may sit inside or outside a typical estimate.
| May be included | May be excluded |
|---|---|
| Heat pump unit | Major insulation upgrades |
| Standard installation labour | Full home retrofit work |
| Outdoor unit installation | Extensive radiator replacement |
| Basic controls | Underfloor heating installation |
| Pipework alterations | Major electrical upgrade |
| Hot water cylinder connection | Planning or permission issues |
| Commissioning | Decorative making good |
| System handover | Solar panels or battery storage |
When a heat pump installer needs to inspect the property
A survey is needed before a fixed quote because the installer has to check heat loss, radiator sizing, hot water storage, outdoor unit location, electrical supply, pipework, insulation, access and any property-specific constraints.
Heat loss and insulation
The installer needs to understand how quickly the property loses heat before sizing the system.
Radiator sizing
Existing radiators may need to be checked or upgraded to work well with the new heating setup.
Hot water cylinder
The hot water setup may need review, especially if the home currently uses a combi boiler.
Outdoor unit location
The outdoor unit needs a suitable position with access, clearance and practical installation conditions.
Electrical supply
Electrical requirements can affect installation cost if extra work or checks are needed.
Access and property layout
Flats, shared access, tight locations or difficult routes can increase labour and planning complexity.
How this heat pump estimate is calculated
The calculator starts with a base cost range for the selected heat pump type, then adjusts the estimate using project type, property size, insulation condition, radiator or emitter upgrades, hot water storage, outdoor unit access, electrical work, specification level, region and contingency.
This approach is designed for early planning. A fixed quote can change after a heat loss assessment, system design, radiator check, cylinder review, outdoor unit location check and electrical inspection.
For more detail, read our methodology, pricing data and how costs are calculated.
Heat pump cost FAQs
How much does a heat pump cost in the UK?
A heat pump installation in the UK can range from several thousand pounds for a simpler air source heat pump project to a much higher amount for larger homes, radiator upgrades, cylinder work, difficult access or ground source systems. Use the calculator for a project-specific planning range.
What affects heat pump installation cost?
The main cost drivers are heat pump type, project type, property size, insulation condition, radiator or emitter upgrades, hot water storage, outdoor unit access, electrical work, specification level and region.
Is an air source heat pump cheaper than a ground source heat pump?
Usually, yes. An air source heat pump is generally a simpler installation than a ground source system because it does not require ground loop or borehole work.
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump?
Some homes can use existing radiators, while others may need larger radiators, emitter upgrades or system balancing. This is one reason a heat pump survey is needed before a fixed quote.
Does insulation affect heat pump cost?
Yes. Poor insulation can increase heat demand and may change the system design, radiator requirements or wider upgrade plan. If heat loss is a concern, use the Insulation Cost Calculator before comparing heat pump estimates.
Is this calculator for heat pump running costs?
No. This calculator estimates installation cost. It does not model electricity tariffs, seasonal performance or annual running costs.
Should I compare a heat pump with a boiler replacement?
Yes, if you are deciding between keeping gas heating and moving to low-carbon heating. Use the Boiler Installation Cost Calculator to compare the likely replacement cost and project scope.
Are CostIntel heat pump estimates fixed quotes?
No. CostIntel estimates are planning ranges based on typical UK heat pump installation cost drivers. A qualified installer needs to inspect the property before giving a fixed quote.