Air Source Heat Pump Installation

An air source heat pump installation costs between £8,000 and £15,000 for typical houses. The final price depends on the size of your home, its heat loss, the system design and whether the existing radiators or pipework need upgrading.

Your savings will depend on your current heating system, energy tariff, insulation and how efficiently your new heat pump system is designed. A well-insulated home can reduce air source heat pump running costs significantly because less energy is needed to keep it warm. Cinergi provide an estimate of the energy bill savings you can expect by installing a heat pump alongside your quote. It a custom calculation based on your home and compared to the the heating source you are moving away from. You can also save more by using a heat pump tariff or combining your system with solar panels and battery storage.

Air source heat pumps run on electricity to extract heat from the outside air, even in freezing temperatures. The outdoor unit transfers heat via a heat exchanger to your central heating system and hot taps. You'll also need a hot water cylinder to store the hot water. As heat pumps move thermal energy rather than burning fossil fuel, they are highly efficient and a more environmentally friendly way to keep your home warm.

To find out more, read our blog How do air source heat pumps work?

An air source heat pump unit needs to be positioned in a space approximately 1.5m wide to allow clear space on either side. Airflow is very important. There must also be at least 1.5m of clear space in front of the fans to avoid recirculation of cold air. Inside, you’ll need a hot water cylinder, which can be placed in an airing cupboard, utility or sometimes horizontally in a loft.

Both ground source and air source heat pumps work in the same way. They extract thermal energy (heat) from the air or the ground outside and transfer it inside to heat your home and hot water.

Air source heat pumps are usually the preferred option as they are much easier, quicker and cheaper to install and don’t require much outside space.

If you’re happy with the groundworks, ground source heat pumps are more efficient as the ground temperature is more stable all year round, but the upfront costs are higher than for air source heat pumps.

An air source heat pump will heat your home comfortably in winter, provided they are correctly sized and installed. Heat pumps work efficiently in cold weather and are common in countries far colder than the UK. They reliably provide consistent heating and hot water throughout the year and are tested in temperatures as low as -25ºC.

Air source heat pumps provide both heating and hot water and require a compatible hot-water cylinder to store it.

In England and Wales, the government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers a grant of £7,500 (£9,000 if switching from LPG or oil heating) to support the installation of low-carbon heating. This financial support is widely available and most commonly used towards air source heat pumps. Find out more on the gov.uk website.

Sizing an air source heat pump and designing the heating system well can make a huge difference in how well your heat pump performs. We carry out a full heat loss survey that considers the size of your property, the quality of your home's insulation, the outdoor climate, hot water demand, and more.

An undersized heat pump will struggle to provide enough heat and can have a shorter lifespan from being overworked.

An oversized heat pump can be just as bad. A heat pump that’s too big will short-cycle, which leads to higher electricity consumption, more wear and tear and a reduced lifespan. As an MCS-accredited installer, it’s our responsibility to design and size a system that performs efficiently, reliably, and comfortably for many years to come.

Read more about choosing the right size heat pump.

Permitted development rights for air source heat pumps were relaxed in 2025 to allow you to install a heat pump close to your boundary, install a bigger unit (up to 1.5m3) and install 2 units in a detached property, all without needing planning permission. However, if your property is listed or in a conservation area or World Heritage site, you may still need planning permission. Check with your local planning authority or get in touch with Cinergi for advice.

Air-source heat pumps require little maintenance. You only need an annual service to ensure everything is functioning correctly and safely. At Cinergi, we offer service plans to keep your heat pump running at its best and to extend its lifespan.