Heat Pumps: The Complete UK Guide
Everything you need to know about air source and ground source heat pumps in the UK: costs, grants, running costs, and installation.
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Heat pumps pull free warmth from the air (or ground) outside your home and concentrate it to heat your radiators and hot water. They cost around £8,000-14,000 installed for most homes, more for a large or period property, but the government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme knocks £7,500 off that, bringing many installs under £5K out of pocket.
MCS certified over 60,000 heat pump installations in 2025, the most ever in a single year, and from 24 March 2027 the Future Homes Standard makes it very hard to build a new home in England around a gas boiler, so that number is only going one way. Below: our straight answer, a quick comparison with gas, then deeper guides if you want to dig in.
Bottom line
For most UK homes with reasonable insulation, fitting a heat pump now is a yes.
The £7,500 BUS grant brings the upfront cost into gas-boiler territory, running costs now come in below mains gas at the October 2026 cap, and you're ahead of the Future Homes Standard that lands on new builds in March 2027. The exceptions: a tight terrace with no neighbour-friendly outdoor spot, a very poorly insulated solid-wall home where you can't fix that first, or a brand-new gas boiler that's still under warranty.
Heat pump vs gas boiler at a glance
Typical figures for a 3-bed UK home in 2026. Your numbers will vary by insulation, install and tariff.
| Heat pump | Gas boiler | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | £8,000-14,000 | £2,000-4,000 |
| Govt grant | £7,500 (BUS) | None |
| Net cost after grant | £500-6,500 | £2,000-4,000 |
| Annual running cost | £800-1,200 | £900-1,400 |
| Lifespan | 20-25 yrs | 12-15 yrs |
| New builds from 24 Mar 2027 | The realistic option | Effectively ruled out |
Understand
Work out if a heat pump fits your home
Start here if you're not sure whether one's right for you. These reads cover the basics: how they work, when they shine, when to think twice, and what the coming boiler rules actually mean for existing homes.
GuideAre heat pumps actually worth it?
An honest pros-and-cons read for UK homes. When they work brilliantly, when they don't, and the type of house we'd hesitate to fit one in.
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GuideAir source heat pumps: how they actually work
How a heat pump pulls free warmth from the outside air, why efficiency (SCOP) matters more than headline kW, and what's inside a typical install.
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Ground source heat pumps
More efficient, far pricier: when it's worth it
Heat pump vs gas boiler
The full deep-dive: comfort, warranty, repair costs
How noisy are heat pumps?
Real dB readings and the 37 dB neighbour rule
My boiler's on its last legs: should I switch?
When it makes sense, and when to fit another boiler
The 2027 gas boiler ban explained
What it actually means for existing homes
Do heat pumps work in cold weather?
UK trial data at -3°C and -5°C, and defrost explained
Plan
Cost it for your house
Match a system size and budget to your specific home. Costs vary more by heat loss and existing radiators than by brand, so this is where the homework pays off.
GuideWhat a heat pump really costs in 2026
Full price breakdown: kit, install, radiator changes, hot water cylinder, plus the £7,500 BUS grant deducted. Typical out-of-pocket figures by house size.
Read guideHeat pump savings calculator
Punch in your current fuel and bills, get an estimate of running costs, annual savings and payback period. Uses the current Ofgem price cap and a SCOP of 3.5.
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Choose
Pick a unit and the kit around it
Once you know roughly what size and budget you're working with, this is where to compare brands, models and the supporting kit (radiators, controls) that decides how well the system actually performs.
GuideBest heat pumps in the UK in 2026
Our pick of the units worth fitting, ranked by real-world SCOP, noise, warranty and parts availability. Vaillant, Mitsubishi, Daikin, Samsung and the rest.
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GuidePick radiators that work at lower flow temperatures
Heat pumps need bigger output per radiator. The K3 panels, fan-assisted units and low-flow-temp models that hold up at 45°C, with realistic prices.
Read guide
Act
Claim the grant and book an installer
The £7,500 BUS grant is claimed by your installer, not you, so the order is: shortlist installers, get quotes, then they apply for the grant on your behalf. Quote two or three: prices vary by thousands.
GuideEvery heat pump grant available in 2026
BUS in England and Wales (£7,500), Home Energy Scotland (£7,500 grant plus an optional £7,500 interest-free loan), and the Northern Ireland routes. Who qualifies and how to claim.
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GuideBoiler Upgrade Scheme: step-by-step
The grant is claimed by your installer, not you, and there are a few common application mistakes that cost people the money. Here's the order to do things in.
Read guide
Get started
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