Heat pumps for UK homes — grants, costs & trusted installers
Find out if an air-source or ground-source heat pump fits your property, what the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can cover, and compare free quotes from MCS-certified installers.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump moves heat from outside air (or the ground) into your home to provide heating and often hot water. Unlike a gas boiler, it runs on electricity — and for every unit of electricity it uses, it can deliver several units of heat.
Common types for UK homes:
- Air-source heat pumps (ASHP) — the most common retrofit option; outdoor unit extracts heat from outside air.
- Ground-source heat pumps (GSHP) — higher efficiency potential, but need ground works (boreholes or trenches) and higher upfront cost.
Heat pumps work best in homes with decent insulation and appropriately sized radiators or underfloor heating. An MCS-certified installer should survey your property before quoting.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) — £7,500 grant
Eligible households in England and Wales can apply for a government grant under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme:
- £7,500 towards an air-source or ground-source heat pump (grant levels can change — confirm current rates on GOV.UK).
- The grant is typically paid to the installer and deducted from your quote.
- Eligibility varies by property type, current heating system, EPC requirements, and other criteria set by the scheme.
Important: Not every home qualifies. Your installer should confirm eligibility as part of the survey. Scheme rules and grant amounts are set by government and may be updated — always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have different support schemes; ask local installers what’s available in your area.
When heat pumps make sense
Heat pumps tend to be a stronger fit when:
- You’re replacing an old gas, oil or LPG boiler and want lower carbon heating.
- Your home is reasonably insulated (or you’re planning insulation upgrades).
- You have space for an outdoor unit (ASHP) or ground loop (GSHP).
- You’re on, or can switch to, a competitive electricity tariff (including off-peak / EV-style tariffs where available).
- You may combine with solar PV to offset electricity use.
They may be less suitable (or need more work first) if the property is poorly insulated, listed with restrictive planning, or has very limited outdoor / plant space. A proper survey beats online guesses.
Rough costs (indicative only)
UK residential heat pump installs vary widely. As a ballpark for 2025/2026:
- Air-source: often roughly £8,000–£15,000+ before grant, depending on system size, hot water cylinder, radiator upgrades and labour.
- After £7,500 BUS grant (if eligible): many homeowners see a substantially lower net cost — confirm with your installer.
- Ground-source: typically higher due to ground works.
These are not quotes. Always compare MCS-certified installer prices for your property.
Heat pumps + solar
Pairing a heat pump with solar panels can reduce the amount of grid electricity you buy for heating. Solar Scout can help you compare both solar and heat pump installers — or packages that cover both — so you see the whole picture.
Compare solar & heat pump quotes →
How Solar Scout helps
- Tell us about your home and heating goals.
- We introduce you to MCS-certified heat pump installers covering your area.
- Compare quotes — free for you, no obligation.
We may receive a referral fee from installers. That never changes the fact that quotes are free for homeowners. How we get paid →
FAQ
Do I need planning permission?
Many air-source installs fall under permitted development, but rules differ (flats, conservation areas, listed buildings). Your installer should advise.
Will a heat pump work with my radiators?
Often yes, sometimes with larger radiators or higher flow temperatures. A heat-loss survey decides this.
Is the £7,500 grant guaranteed?
No — eligibility varies. Confirm with GOV.UK and your installer before relying on the grant in your budget.
Ready to compare heat pump quotes?
Get free, no-obligation quotes from MCS-certified installers. We’ll help you understand grants and options for your home.