Across the UK the average household spends £960 a year on heating. Typical homes are around 85 m² with 4.4 rooms. Switching to an air-source heat pump could save up to £384 (~40%) a year for an average home after the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.

Want location-specific figures? Enter your postcode area (e.g. CR2) and we'll show that sector's data.

Typical air-source heat-pump installation costs range from about £6,000 at the low end to roughly £18,000 at the high end. Most homes fall somewhere between £7,000 and £15,000. These prices are before the £7,500 BUS grant (in addition, qualifying rural and island homes in Scotland may receive a further £1,500 uplift under the Home Energy Scotland scheme, for up to £9 000 of grant funding).

Installation prices vary by region. In London they can be up to 20% above the UK average, the wider South-East often sees 10–15% higher, while most of Scotland is typically about 10% lower.

CategoryNational cost range Net after £7,500 BUS grant
Small flats / simple installs £ 6,000 – £ 7,000 from ~£ 1,000*
2–3-bed semis / moderate upgrades £ 8,000 – £ 12,000 from ~£ 1,000*
Large detached / extensive work £ 13,000 – £ 18,000 £ 5,500 – £ 10,500

* Minimum net costs rarely fall below £1,000 after grant, since most installs incur at least minor extra work.

Lower end
  • Minimal groundwork or plumbing modification required
  • Well-insulated homes that only need a compact ASHP unit
Mid end
  • Moderate radiator or underfloor-heating upgrades
  • Typical pump size (8–12 kW)
Upper end
  • Large detached houses or older properties needing major pipework
  • Extensive insulation or radiator replacement
  • Multi-zone controls and bespoke system design
Heat Pump Guide: Installation to Ownership

Heat Pump Installation & Ownership Guide

Everything you need to know

Installation Timeline

1
Initial Quote & Survey 1-2 weeks
MCS-certified installer visits to assess your property, calculate heat loss, and provide detailed quote
📋
Heat loss calculation
📏
Property measurements
💡
System design proposal
💰
Fixed price quote
2
Planning & Permits 0-2 weeks (formal planning ≈ 8 weeks for listed / conservation properties)
Most properties need no planning permission thanks to 2025 rule changes
✓
No boundary restrictions (new rules)
🏠
Permitted development rights
📋
Building regulations notification
🔧
MCS compliance check
3
Installation 1-3 days
Professional installation of outdoor unit, indoor components, and system integration
🔧
Outdoor unit mounting
🔌
Electrical connections
🔄
System commissioning
📱
Smart controls setup
4
Certification & Grant typically 1-2 weeks
MCS certificate issued, building control sign-off, and £7,500 grant processed
📜
MCS commissioning certificate
🏛️
Building control approval
💰
BUS grant payment
📋
Warranty registration
∞
Ongoing Ownership 15-20 years
Minimal maintenance required - annual service and basic upkeep for optimal performance
🔧
Annual service: £150-300
🧹
Filter cleaning (DIY)
❄️
Winter prep checks
📊
Performance monitoring

Planning Permission Requirements

No Permission Needed

Standard Properties

    ✅ Detached, semi-detached, terraced houses
    ✅ Unit size up to 1 m³ (increased from 0.6 m³)
    ✅ No 1-meter boundary rule (removed 2025)
    ✅ Up to 2 units for detached houses
    ✅ Noise limit: 37 dB at neighbor's window

Check Required

Special Circumstances

    ⚠️ Listed buildings
    ⚠️ Conservation areas
    ⚠️ World Heritage sites
    ⚠️ Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
    ⚠️ Flats and maisonettes

Maintenance & Ownership Costs

£150-300
Annual Service
£0-50
Filter Replacement
15-20
Years Lifespan
5-10
Years Warranty
💡 Maintenance Tip: Regular servicing prevents up to 25% efficiency loss. Annual services typically pay for themselves in energy savings and prevent costly repairs.
Heat Pump Reference Links

Official Heat Pump Resources & Data Sources

📋 Regulatory & Grants

  • Ofgem Energy Price Cap
    Official cap figures, update timetable and how rates are calculated.
    Visit Official Site ↗
  • Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
    Grant rules, eligibility checker and application steps.
    Visit Official Site ↗
  • Permitted-Development Rules for Heat Pumps
    Full legal criteria (noise ≤ 42 dB(A), unit volume ≤ 1 m³, siting, listed-building caveats).
    Visit Official Site ↗
  • Planning & Noise Guidance (DESNZ)
    Plain-language tips on boundary distances and acoustic tests.
    Visit Official Site ↗

💰 Cost, Savings & Best Practice

  • Energy Saving Trust – Air-Source Heat Pump Advice
    Running-cost calculators, sizing tips and maintenance basics.
    Visit Official Site ↗
  • MCS Best-Practice Heat Pump Guide (PDF)
    Detailed but homeowner-friendly design and installation standards.
    Download PDF ↗
  • Find an MCS-Certified Installer
    Search tool to verify local companies before you request quotes.
    Search Installers ↗
  • Delta-ee / BEIS Cost Study (2020)
    Benchmark install prices we reference in our calculator.
    View Study (PDF) ↗

📊 Data Transparency & Carbon

  • Census 2021 Postcode Resident & Household Data
    Source for the local population figures on our sector pages.
    View Data Source ↗
  • National Grid Carbon Intensity Live Data
    Real-time CO₂ per kWh; underpins our carbon-saving estimate in the calculator.
    View Live Data ↗
  • Department for Energy Security and Net Zero - Heat Pump Trends
    Quarterly data on the number of heat pumps installed in the United Kingdom.
    View Statistics ↗