Instant
01 · Ask
Ask the AI a follow-up
Got more questions about heat Pump Installation? Describe the bit you're unsure about — the AI explains options, sequencing and what to ask the central heating.
Install a heat pump.
Air or ground source — costed with the £7,500 BUS grant, sizing, payback and any building works.
✓ Updated May 2026✓ Free quotes✓ Vetted pros
20,000+UK homeowners
50,000Quotes sent
Keep going
Hire a heating engineer. Balanced, flushed, certified.
You've read the brief on heat Pump Installation. Now lean on us to find the right central heating — and stay in control of the job.
Free
02 · Read the brief
Walk in informed
Costs, timelines, pitfalls and the right questions to ask before any central heating starts on heat Pump Installation.
60 seconds
03 · Compare
Compare 3 central heating quotes
Itemised quotes from up to 3 local central heatings on heat Pump Installation — so you can compare like-for-like, not lump sums.
✦
Get central heating quotes Ready when you are
Enter your postcode and get free quotes from local pros.
Top tips
Hiring a central heating, without the regret.
Four moves that separate a smooth job from a nightmare.
Inadequate heat-loss calculation
Cheap quotes skip proper survey. Result: ASHP undersized — house never warm enough.
Radiators not upgraded
Old radiators sized for 75°C flow won't deliver enough heat at 45°C. Always size new radiators properly.
Poor insulation first
ASHP only economical in well-insulated houses. Spend £3,000 on insulation upgrade before specifying ASHP.
Noisy outdoor unit
Cheap units run 50+ dB. Quality (Daikin Altherma, Mitsubishi Ecodan) runs 35–40 dB. Position matters for neighbours.
Costs & timeline
Know what it costs. Know when it ends.
Indicative UK ranges and what affects price.
Cost range
By job type
Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
Source: NMT quotes
ASHP 8 kW system (small home)Daikin, Mitsubishi, Vaillant
£9k–£13k
ASHP 12 kW system (medium)3–4 bed home
£11k–£16k
ASHP 16 kW+ (large home)4+ bed, less insulated
£14k–£22k
Ground source heat pumpIncluding ground loops
£20k–£40k
Radiator upgrade for ASHPLarger radiators for low flow temp
£1.5k–£5k
Pipework upgrade if needed22mm flow and return
£800–£3.5k
!
Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.
At a glance
InfographicThe Central Heating briefing.
Infographic
Central Heating quick-view
Air source heat pumps (ASHP) replace gas boilers with renewable electric heat. Expect to pay £10,000–£18,000 for a UK ASHP installation before the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant. Most homes can be made heat pump compatible with the right design.
What Does the Work Involve?
MCS-certified installer assesses house heat-loss in detail. Outdoor compressor unit positioned (side of house, garage, garden). Indoor cylinder unit replaces boiler space. Radiators sized larger to handle lower flow temperature (45-55°C vs boiler's 65-75°C). Pipework upgraded if undersized. Smart thermostat with weather compensation. Commissioning with MCS certificate.
Typical Costs
| Item | Low (£) | High (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASHP 8 kW system (small home) | 9,000 | 13,000 | Daikin, Mitsubishi, Vaillant |
| ASHP 12 kW system (medium) | 11,000 | 16,000 | 3–4 bed home |
| ASHP 16 kW+ (large home) | 14,000 | 22,000 | 4+ bed, less insulated |
| Ground source heat pump | 20,000 | 40,000 | Including ground loops |
| Radiator upgrade for ASHP | 1,500 | 5,000 | Larger radiators for low flow temp |
| Pipework upgrade if needed | 800 | 3,500 | 22mm flow and return |
| BUS grant (England/Wales) | -7,500 | -7,500 | For ASHP installation |
| Net cost after grant | 2,500 | 15,000 | Highly variable |
How Long Does It Take?
Full ASHP install: 5–10 days. Heat-loss survey: 2–4 hours. Outdoor unit positioning: 1 day. Indoor cylinder and pipework: 2–3 days. Radiator upgrades and commissioning: 2–3 days.
DIY or Professional?
MCS-certified installer only — required for BUS grant and warranties. F-Gas certified engineer for the refrigerant work.
Choosing the Right Tradesperson
MCS-certified installer with experience of your house type. Get heat-loss calculation in writing (not just rule-of-thumb). 5-year minimum warranty on the heat pump. Confirm grant application route — most installers handle this.
UK Regulations
MCS certification required for grant. Building Regs Part L (thermal), Part P (electrical), F-Gas Regulations 2014 (refrigerant). Planning permission usually permitted development; conservation areas may need permission.
Common Problems
- Inadequate heat-loss calculation: Cheap quotes skip proper survey. Result: ASHP undersized — house never warm enough.
- Radiators not upgraded: Old radiators sized for 75°C flow won't deliver enough heat at 45°C. Always size new radiators properly.
- Poor insulation first: ASHP only economical in well-insulated houses. Spend £3,000 on insulation upgrade before specifying ASHP.
- Noisy outdoor unit: Cheap units run 50+ dB. Quality (Daikin Altherma, Mitsubishi Ecodan) runs 35–40 dB. Position matters for neighbours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an ASHP work in my house?
Yes for most UK homes with good insulation (EPC C or better). Poor insulation (E or below) needs upgrade first. Detached or larger homes more straightforward than terraced.
How much do I save?
Annual running cost typically 30–50% lower than oil; 5–25% lower than mains gas (depends on tariff). With time-of-use electricity tariffs, savings can be larger.
What's the BUS grant?
Boiler Upgrade Scheme — £7,500 toward ASHP (or £5,000 toward GSHP). Available in England and Wales. Scotland has Home Energy Scotland equivalent. Available through 2028.
How long does an ASHP last?
15–20 years. Quality units (Daikin, Mitsubishi, Vaillant) reach 20+ years with maintenance.
Can I keep my gas boiler as backup?
Hybrid systems exist (gas boiler + ASHP). Increasingly less common as electricity costs come down. Most BUS grant installs are full conversion.
Best ASHP brand 2026?
Daikin Altherma: market leader, broad range. Mitsubishi Ecodan: excellent UK support. Vaillant aroTHERM: strong European brand. Worcester Bosch CDi: gas boiler company entering market.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.
NEWAI Trade Assistant
Got more questions
about central heating?
Ask follow-ups in plain English. The AI explains options, sequencing and what to ask the central heating — so you walk in informed.
I'm planning a job. Should I be looking for a central heating?
Sounds like a job for central heating. Tell me what you're trying to do — I'll walk you through costs, timeline and what to ask before they start.
FREE QUOTES60 SECONDS
Keep reading
VIEW ALL CENTRAL HEATING GUIDES →More central heating guides.
Guide
Heater matrix fitting
A heater matrix is essentially a small radiator located deep behind your vehicle's dashboard. It is a critical component of your car's heating system, responsib...
READ GUIDE →GuideGround Source Heat Pump Installation Guide
Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are widely considered the "gold standard" of renewable heating for UK homeowners. By extracting solar energy stored in the eart...
READ GUIDE →GuideHeating System Repair Guide
A reliable heating system is the backbone of any UK home, especially during the damp winter months. When a boiler fails or radiators stay cold, it often signals...
READ GUIDE →GuideOil-Fuelled Heating Installation Guide
For the four million UK households not connected to the mains gas grid, oil-fuelled central heating remains one of the most reliable and cost-effective ways to ...
READ GUIDE →GuideOil leak repair
An oil leak is a serious matter for any UK homeowner. Beyond the immediate loss of expensive heating fuel, a leak poses significant fire risks and can cause dev...
READ GUIDE →GuideAir Source Heat Pump Installation Guide
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) have become the leading low-carbon heating solution for UK homeowners looking to move away from fossil fuels. By extracting heat f...
READ GUIDE →