First Things First …

We need to know that installing an air source heat pump does generally cost more than a traditional heating system but is usually offset by very low maintenance costs and their long life spans.  More importantly though, heat pumps are significantly better on the environment than traditional heating systems that rely on the burning of fossil fuels and this is why they are more attractive to homeowners that want to minimise the environmental impact of their home.

There are two types of air source heat pumps; air-to-water and air-to-air.  Air-to-water heat pumps continue to grow in popularity in the UK, partly due to the government grant*, but ultimately due to their efficiency rating of 300% and the fact they can deliver a home’s heating and hot water on-demand.  Air-to-water is the primary focus of this article.

When it comes to the price, you’ll read on various sites on the internet that the supply and installation of an air source heat pump will cost somewhere in the region of £2,000-£20,000 – not particularly helpful hey?  At Emerald Green, we have put together this article to give you a bit more of an idea of the pricing and what is involved when pricing together any ASHP install project.

Can I get a quick quote for our property?

The simple and short answer to this is no – well certainly not an accurate quote anyway!  There are many things that need to be considered when choosing the right heat pump for your home because unlike traditional boilers, a heat pump runs at a lower temperature.  Therefore, prior to installation, a personalised room by room heat loss survey at your property is imperative to ensure the heat pump system is installed for optimum efficiency.

What exactly is a heat loss survey?

Heat losses occur due to heat being transferred from inside a property to the outside of a property through walls and windows etc.  The average property requirement is around 6 to 8 kW, but that really depends on the size of the property and many, many other factors.  An accurate heat loss calculation can only come from an in-depth survey, where every window, wall and door is measured, where materials and insulation are considered and the sizes and types of every radiator are recorded.  If an engineer hasn’t taken or considered these details, then it is important to mention that the heat loss calculation may not be sufficient and the heat pump size suggested from the survey may not be the right fit for the property  – no one wants to upgrade to a heat pump and have a cold home!  The heat loss survey alone should take 1 to 2 hours on site to obtain all the required details for the calculations and to discuss any options etc. with the homeowner.

Can I get a guide on the price?

Yes – providing the installer with a few details about your property should be able to give you a budgetary quote but just keep in mind that until the heat loss survey is performed, this will only be a guide.

The cost of an air-to-water heat pump alone depending on size and model can range from £5,000-£8,000 and then you’ll need to add on the necessary working components, plus a tank for your hot water and a plumber and electrician to get everything working harmoniously.  The labour costs will vary with pipes and wiring required and this depends on the existing system – so you really can see how and why the price varies quite a lot for every property.

As an example, if you have a three bedroom property that is well insulated and has double-glazed windows, you should expect to receive a quote in the region of £12,000 – £15,000.  That price includes the works of the plumber and electrician and don’t forget that the BUS grant available will cover £7,500* and then effectively you would have future-proofed your home and significantly reduced your homes impact on the environment.

Not forgetting the wonderful air-to-air heat pump…

Without causing major brain overload, these pumps differ in how they deliver the heat to your home.  Air-to-air does not work with equipment such as radiators and underfloor heating and is essentially an air conditioning system that produces hot OR cold air (in reversible configuration) but does not produce hot water.  These pumps have lower upfront costs, are more straightforward to install, and are simply sized on the size of each room that requires heating/cooling.

To install an air-to-air heat pump, a homeowner could expect to pay in the region of £2,500-£5,500.

The cost of transitioning to renewables…

We have touched on how Air-to-water is the more expensive option, with air-to-air being a cheaper alternative.  The high cost of air-to-water heat pump installations is often deemed a problem for many homeowners, especially when compared to a new gas boiler installation, however, their real benefit comes from carbon-free emissions, long life-spans and the significant reduction of ongoing energy bills.

With a gas boiler ban on the horizon and the government BUS grants available until 2028*, it may be a viable option for you now.

 

*Please refer to our article on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for more information on the funding currently available for air-to-water heat pump installations.