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Air Source Heat Pump: cost, savings and EPC impact
A heat pump is an electric heating system that moves heat from outside air into your home. It can work very well in a well-insulated house, and badly if it is poorly designed.
IndicativeFigures on this page are indicative ranges for a typical UK home. They are not a quote, a survey or an EPC. Your home will differ.
What it is
An outdoor unit is connected to a hot-water cylinder and to your radiators or underfloor heating. It runs at lower temperatures than a gas boiler, so radiators and pipework are often upgraded.
The bill effect is less certain than for other upgrades. It depends on your home’s insulation, the system design, your current fuel, and the electricity tariff.
Indicative cost, savings and EPC effect
| Typical cost | £8,000 to £14,000 |
|---|---|
| EPC points (SAP) | +5 to +15 |
| Bill saving | £0 to £400 a year |
Works best in a well-insulated home and needs a proper design survey. Bill impact varies most here.
For comparison, the Energy Saving Trust’s average installed cost for a typical semi-detached home is £12,000. See Energy Saving Trust: Retrofit explained for the latest figures.
Heat pumps can raise an EPC, sometimes by a lot, but the result depends on the fuel you are replacing and on the property. See how EPC ratings work. Savings from several upgrades do not simply add up.
Is it right for your home?
- Homes that are already well insulated, or are about to be.
- Homes that have space outside for the unit and space inside for a cylinder.
- Homes where the current boiler is nearing the end of its life, so the timing makes sense.
What affects the price
- Home size and insulation level
- Radiator and pipework changes
- Cylinder and unit location
- Electrical upgrades
Questions to ask any installer
- Is the installer MCS-certified, and will you carry out a room-by-room heat-loss calculation?
- What flow temperature and efficiency (seasonal performance) do you expect, and how was it worked out?
- Will you tell me my likely running cost against my current fuel, with the assumptions shown?
- Do any radiators or pipes need changing, and is that in the price?
Always get a proper survey and written quote. We introduce you to one vetted firm to do that, and explain why only one.
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