How much do Heat Pumps cost to install and run

Written-by

Richard Burdett

Reviewed-by

Richard Burdett

Updated on

Sep 04, 2024

How much do Heat Pumps cost to install and run

Air source heat pumps are a great way to heat your home, and they could be the ideal thing for you as well. As with all new and greener forms of energy, however, it does come with a price tag. It’s important to know what you can expect to spend both on an annual basis, and as a onetime fee. However, the other great thing is the savings that you can make on your energy bill by using an air source heat pump. Take a look at the cost of air source heat pumps as well as a little more information on how they work and the kind of maintenance you can expect.

What is an Air Source Heat Pump?

An air source heat pump works by absorbing heat from the air at a low temperature and turning it into a liquid. This fluid then passes through a compressor, where the temperature is increased. From there, it transfers its higher heat temperature to the heating and hot water circuits throughout the home. When we look at air source heat pumps, we see that there are actually two different systems.

Air to Water

An air to water system works by distributing heat via your wet central heating system. The heat pumps work much more efficiently at a lower temperature than your standard boiler, making them more suitable for underfloor heating or large radiators. Both of these give out heat at a lower temperature and also over longer periods of time.

Air to Air

The air to air system works to produce warm air that is circulated by fans to heat your home. They tend to be used for one function, such as electricity, and are highly unlikely t be able to provide you with something like hot water at the same time.

The Cost of Air Source Heat Pumps

When you go to install a typical air source heat pump, you are looking at costs ranging from £8,000 to £14,000. This is cheaper than some of the other heat pumps that are available on the market, making it an attractive choice. The running costs will tend to vary depending on things like the size of your home and the amount of insulation, to name a few.  

• The savings you make could depend on the following criteria:
• Your current heating system. If your old heating system was inefficient, then you are likely to see much lower running costs when you purchase and install a new heat pump.
• The insulation of your home. You should ensure that your home is well insulated and as energy efficient as possible before carrying out the installation. This is because you will want to make the most of your air source heat pump, and by letting heat escape through a poorly insulated home, you will be paying to waste warmth and energy.
• The existing fuel system. Your savings will be much larger and more significant if you decide to replace an old or expensive heating system than if you were connected to the main gas. You will also make frequent savings in your energy bill.
• Water heating. For this, you may need a separate electric immersion heater.
   

Maintenance

Heat pumps will typically come with a warranty that lasts two of three years. The workmanship warranties for heat pumps, however, can last for up to ten years through things like the QANW (Quality Assured National Warranties). Many manufacturers will also offer warranty extension option completely free of charge. You can extend them for up to 20-years, but they will require regularly scheduled maintenance. An annual check by you, followed by a detailed check by a professional installer every three to five years tends to be more than enough. The installer should leave you with written details noting any maintenance checks that you should expect to undertake at any given point to ensure that everything is running smoothly and correctly.

You should always talk to your supplier for the exact maintenance requirements before you decide to commit to the purchase. It is very likely that you will be asked to carry out a yearly check on things like the air inlet grill and evaporator – just to make sure they are free of leaves and debris. You will also have to remove any plants that have started growing there. Your installer may take steps to advise you about checking the central heating pressure gauge in your home from time to time. If this is the case, you should be shown how to do this, so make sure you ensure your installer follows through. This is to prevent the heat pump from freezing in the winter weather by using anti-freeze. The levels of anti-freeze concentration are something that the installer will take the time to check when he comes to your home to service your pump. If your heat pump has external refrigeration pipes (very uncommon), they will require an annual service from a refrigeration engineer.