Heat pumps aren’t cheap, and heat pump installations are no exception. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical air source heat pump installation will cost between £6000 and £8000, while a ground source heat pump installation can cost anything from £10,000 to £18,000 based on the amount of heat needed.
These prices matter if you are looking to replace an old gas or oil boiler, or are considering a new build where there is no mains gas.
The difficulty is, are they worth it? With the Boiler upgrade Scheme (replacement for the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RH)) you can get £5,000 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump, £5,000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler, and £6,000 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump.
Contents
Heat Pump Prices
The cost of a heat pump varies widely. The only way to know how much it will set you back is to get an initial survey done.
This is the first potential expense in the process of purchasing a heat pump. After assessing whether your property is suitable for a heat pump, an installer will come to your house to create a quote (either ground source or air source).
The installer will then go away and prepare one for you. The amount the installer charges will vary from company to company, but often times the service is free of charge.
Air Source and Ground Souce Heat Pump Running Cost
Here’s a look at what the running costs of a ground source or air source heat pump might be per kilowatt-hour of thermal energy.
These numbers aren’t very meaningful on their own, so what we have done is compared heat pumps vs. boilers and other types of central heating, as well as their boiler efficiencies, to give you an idea of how they compare.
p/kWhth = pence per kilowatt-hour of thermal energy
SCoP = Seasonal Coefficient of Performance
Even with a relatively average SCoP (a unit used to quantify heat pump efficiency), low ground and air source heat pump running expenses may save you a great deal of money on your heating bills.
A well-designed energy system with a flow temperature of 40°C or even 35°C in an adequately insulated home is capable of achieving a SCoP 4 and over.
Coupled with an Economy 10 or 7 electricity rate and a wise use of your heat pump (timing it to turn on during off-peak electricity periods), you should be able to reduce your heating costs below those for LPG or even mains gas.
Additionally, producing your own electricity would significantly decrease the running costs of a heat pump.
Solar panels may effectively have your heat pump operating at a CoP of 7 or greater from a consumption perspective.
Air And Ground Source Heat Pump Installation Cost
You won't be surprised to learn that digging up a significant part of your garden comes at a price.
This is why ground-source heat pump installation expenses are significantly more than air source heat pump installation fees.
The cost rises if you install a vertical ground loop system (boreholes).
However, ground-source heat pumps entail higher domestic RHI rates, which leads to a quicker payback period. You also get the assurance of keeping a year-round Coefficient of Performance unlike air-source heat pumps, which vary throughout the seasons.
Since heat pumps come in a variety of sizes, their total installed capacities (the amount of kilowatts) differ. Because of this, the price is frequently compared per kilowatt.
The following are some examples of heat pump pricing that you should anticipate paying:
Don't forget, the cost per kW decreases as the Total Installed Capacity rises.
If we use the example - A small 5kW air source heat pump might be priced at £1200 per kilowatt to install, but only £600 per kilowatt for a larger 16kW system. If you're installing a vertical ground loop system, costs may go even higher.
Additional Costs
To keep the overall expenses down and to attain high efficiency, a heat pump installation is frequently linked with several other home improvements.
If it's a ground source heat pump, renovating the garden is one option; alternatively, improving the house's energy efficiency by installing home insulation is another possibility.
Underfloor heating, perhaps the finest improvement to complement a heat pump installation, is versatile and effective. Its huge surface area makes it an excellent method of distributing heat uniformly, as well as improving the comfort of your property.
This reduces the flow temperature necessary, resulting in greater energy efficiency. The only issue is the initial cost, which is usually above £2000 depending on the size of your home.
What is the cost of installing underfloor heating?
It will cost around £20 per square metre. So, an average-sized living room would be in the region of £100. If we're talking master bedroom, then the price would be between £400 – £600. Bathrooms, on the other hand, are generally around 5 to 10 square metres in size and cost between £100 - £200 for installation.
How much do new radiators cost?
A new radiator will set you back £20 to £120, with installation costs ranging from £150 to £250. In the United Kingdom, a regular room usually has just one radiator. However, large rooms might contain two to three small radiators. Three tiny radiators cost £120 in this example, whereas the installation is around £450.
How much does a heat exchanger cost?
The cost of a replacement heat exchanger will fluctuate widely, depending on the pump brand and heat output. You'll also have to budget for the installation fees. This might make the overall cost between £5,000 and £10,000.
FAQs
Why are heat pumps so expensive?
Heat pumps are a relatively new technology in the UK, meaning that the manufacturing and installation costs are still high. That said, as more homes install heat pumps, economies of scale will start to apply and prices should decrease over time.
How can I reduce the cost of a heat pump?
There are several things you can do to reduce the cost of a heat pump:
- Choose an air source heat pump over a ground source heat pump. Air source heat pumps are cheaper to install and maintain.
- Improve the energy efficiency of your home before installing a heat pump. This will reduce the size (and cost) of the heat pump you need.
- Install solar panels at the same time as your heat pump. Solar panels can significantly reduce the running costs of a heat pump.
Which heating system is cheapest to run?
Infrared Heaters are the cheapest heating systems to run. This is because they use the lowest wattage per heat output.
How much does it cost to replace a water tank?
Each type of hot water cylinder has distinct pricing, and the cost of replacing one will be determined by the system design. The supply fee for a vented (direct) cylinder is £330 to £750, whereas a vented (indirect) cylinder costs between £360 and £1,110 each.
How many kilowatts does it take to power a whole house?
22kW is the ideal entry-level whole-house standby for homeowners looking to get all of the advantages of a whole-house generator over a conventional house standby. A generator in the 27-36kW range is ideal for most houses since it replaces 75% of the 200 amps that enter your electrical box.
Which brand is the most popular for supplying heat pumps?
In the UK Vaillant is the most popular brand for supplying heat pumps, with Worcester Bosch and Viessmann coming in a close second and third.
