Thinking about installing an air source heat pump? Wondering how heat pumps work, or how much an air source heat pump costs?
Find out all you need to know about the low carbon heating alternative for 2023.
Already decided on an air source heat pump?
Discover the benefits of an air source heat pump
Did you know heat pumps:
- use renewable energy
- are more efficient than gas boilers (up to 300% more efficient)
- can be cost effective
- reduce your carbon footprint
- are quiet
Want to learn more about air source heat pumps? No problem. Watch our quick video.
How does an air source heat pump work?
A heat pump works a bit like an inside-out fridge. It captures heat from outside and moves it into your home, using electricity to do so. Here's how it works:
Air source heat pumps work at a lower internal temperature than a gas or oil-fired boiler, so your radiators will not feel as warm - this is because they are now more efficient and don't need to be as hot. It will provide gentle heating over longer periods rather than quick boosts of heat on demand.
What to consider before buying a heat pump
There are a few things to consider before buying a heat pump, such as:
Air source heat pump costs
Prices start from £5,500 in England and Wales or £3,000 in Scotland (including the government grants).
Upgrading radiators for air source heat pumps
Some heat pump system designs, particularly low-temperature heat pumps, may also require larger radiators to work at their maximum efficiency.
Air source heat pump for underfloor heating
Heat pumps work best when there’s less of a difference between the inside and outside temperatures. Floors cover a much bigger area than radiators, so they don’t need to get as hot to provide the same amount of heat. This makes them a good match for underfloor heating, but it's not essential.
Heat pumps for water heating
Heat pumps can also be a great source of hot water – but the water is likely to be around 50-55 °C with a heat pump, compared to 60-65 °C with a boiler. This means that if you’re running a bath, you’ll need more hot water and less from the cold tap.
Advantages vs disadvantages of a heat pump
Advantages
- Heat pumps are 3 to 4 times more efficient than a gas boiler
- Low carbon (which can be reduced further with a renewable tariff)
- Reduced long-term running costs
- You may be eligible for a £5,000 grant if you live in England or Wales and £7,500 if you live in Scotland towards installing an air source heat pump. Find out more info on our grants page
- Low maintenance with a long service life
Disadvantages
- To improve running costs and qualify for any government support you may need to invest in improving your insulation. Adding more insulation is beneficial regardless of the heating system you have
- Even with government initiatives, an air source heat pump costs more than other heating systems
- Installation can take 3 - 8 days and the whole process of buying a heat pump may take around 12 weeks
- You'll need space - outside for the pump and inside for a water storage tank. Some heat pumps may also need an indoor unit but don't worry, this will replace your existing boiler
Are there different types of air source heat pumps?
Air to water air source heat pumps
In air-to-water heat pumps systems, the heat is transferred into a ‘wet’ heating system (conventional radiator central heating). This set-up gives you hot water and keeps your home warm. Only these heat pumps qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Air to air air source heat pumps
As their name suggests, air-to-air' air source heat pumps transfer heat directly into the air in your rooms. More commonly known as air conditioning units, they can be switched between heat and cooling depending on the season. It's worth noting, these heat pumps don’t provide hot water.
Hybrid' air source heat pumps
These heat pumps are combined with a boiler. Depending on the type of hybrid system, the boiler can assist the heat pump by providing hot water or a quick heat boost during a particularly cold snap.
What are the running costs of an air source heat pump?
Energy prices vary - and our homes and energy use differ too. So it's hard to give an exact figure for how much money it could cost to run a heat pump. But, based on fuel cost figures from Energy Saving Trust from July 2023, we've put together this example based on a four-bedroom home using 18,000kWh of heat per year.
A four-bedroom house might need about 18,000kWh of heat per year (although this will vary). We divide the heat requirement by the efficiency of the appliance, then multiply it by the price of the fuel to get the total running costs. Therefore, to heat this particular home at the current average fuel prices:
- A new gas boiler could cost about £1,468 per year: (18,000kWh ÷ 92%) x 7.5p per kWh of gas
- An older, 70% efficient gas boiler could cost about £1,929 per year: (18,000kWh ÷ 70%) x 7.5p per kWh of gas
- An oil-fueled boiler could cost about £1,229 per year: (18,000kWh ÷ 92%) x 6p per kWh of oil
- An LPG-fueled boiler would cost about £2,094 per year: (18,000kWh ÷ 92%) x 11p per kWh of LPG
- An air source heat pump would cost about £1,807 per year: (18,000kWh ÷ 324%) x 30.11p per kWh of electricity
Are there any maintenance costs to air source heat pumps?
Air source heat pumps have a working life of 15 years or more. But just like a boiler, you should get your air source heat pump professionally serviced annually to maintain your warranty coverage and to make sure it's still working at its best. There are some things you can do yourself:
- Make sure that there's plenty of air around your heat pump. This means regularly checking for leaves or rubbish caught at the back and side of the heat pump and pruning back any plants growing too close to the unit or its pipes
- In very cold weather make sure to clear snow from the air source heat pump
- Follow your installer's instructions on how to use your heat pump
- Register your Daiken air souce heat pump for a 5 year warranty.
How to get an air source heat pump
Answer a few quick questions and a member of our team will be in touch!
