Heat pump costs in the UK (2026)
The headline question every homeowner asks: how much does a heat pump actually cost? The honest answer is "it depends on your property", but the ranges below cover most UK installs in 2026 and explain what drives a quote up or down.
Headline ranges
| Type | Typical install | After £7,500 BUS grant |
|---|---|---|
| Air source (ASHP) | £10,000 – £14,000 | £2,500 – £6,500 |
| Ground source (GSHP) | £18,000 – £35,000 | £10,500 – £27,500 |
| Water source (WSHP) | £12,000 – £25,000 | £4,500 – £17,500 |
| Exhaust air (EAHP) | £6,000 – £12,000 | Not eligible (typically new-build only) |
Ranges reflect 2026 quotes from MCS-certified installers. Source: Energy Saving Trust price guidance and average BUS-approved installer quotes published in trade press.
What drives the price within the range
Two installers can quote £4,000 apart on the same heat pump model. The differences are usually:
- Heat loss calculation. An accurate room-by-room MCS heat-loss survey lets the installer specify the smallest heat pump that meets your demand. Over-sized heat pumps cost more up front and cycle inefficiently.
- Radiator upgrades. Heat pumps run at lower flow temperatures than gas boilers. Some radiators may need to be bigger. Allow £200–£500 per radiator if any need replacing.
- Hot water cylinder. Almost every heat pump install needs a new hot water cylinder (~£800–£1,500 installed). Combi-boiler properties always need a new cylinder.
- Pipework and controls. The buffer tank, controls, weather compensation, and any plumbing rework can vary widely.
- Electrical works. Some installs need a consumer-unit upgrade or a dedicated supply. Allow £300–£1,500.
- Scaffolding and access. Tight terraced sites cost more than detached suburban ones.
Worked example: 3-bed semi, ASHP install
A typical 1990s 3-bed semi in the Midlands, with reasonable loft and cavity wall insulation:
- Heat pump (8 kW ASHP, mid-market)
- £3,400
- Hot water cylinder (200 L, dual coil)
- £1,100
- Buffer / volumiser, pump, expansion vessel
- £650
- Two radiator upgrades
- £600
- Electrical works (consumer unit + isolators)
- £550
- Labour (3 person-days install + commissioning)
- £3,200
- Survey, design, MCS paperwork
- £600
- Margin + warranty + overhead
- £1,900
- Gross
- £12,000
- BUS grant
- −£7,500
- Net to homeowner
- £4,500
Regional variation
Prices in 2026 are reasonably consistent across the UK, but with a few patterns:
- London and South East: ~10–15% premium on labour rates and access charges.
- Scotland (Highlands and Islands): Mobilisation costs and ferries can add £500–£2,000. The Home Energy Scotland grant offsets a lot.
- Northern Ireland: No BUS, no equivalent national grant — net costs are higher.
- Rural off-gas areas: Heat pumps often replace oil. The economic case is much stronger, and some installers offer rural-specific packages.
Ongoing costs
The capital cost is only one part. Running costs depend on electricity tariff and the heat pump's seasonal efficiency (SCOP). See our detailed running costs guide for the working.
Servicing is £150–£250 a year. Refrigerant top-ups (typically every 7–10 years) cost £200–£400.
Should you wait for prices to fall?
The 2024 Heat Pump Investment Accelerator added UK manufacturing capacity for major brands. Prices have flattened in 2026 after several years of inflation, but there isn't a steep downward curve in sight. The £7,500 BUS grant currently lasts until 2028 — and may not be extended. Waiting carries its own cost.
Get three quotes from BUS-approved MCS-certified installers before signing anything. The questions to ask guide gives you a comparison sheet.