Heat Pump Costs in the UK - Full 2026 Breakdown
Everything you need to know about heat pump costs: installation, running, maintenance and the true cost after the £7,500 BUS grant. Updated with April 2026 prices.
Installation costs by property type
| Property type | Before grant | After £7,500 grant |
|---|---|---|
| Air source - 1-2 bed flat/terraced | £10,000-13,000 | £2,500-5,500 |
| Air source - 3 bed semi-detached | £11,000-15,000 | £3,500-7,500 |
| Air source - 4-5 bed detached | £14,000-20,000 | £6,500-12,500 |
| Ground source - horizontal loops | £18,000-28,000 | £10,500-20,500 |
| Ground source - vertical boreholes | £25,000-40,000 | £17,500-32,500 |
Prices include the heat pump unit, installation, hot water cylinder (if required) and commissioning. Correct April 2026.
What affects installation cost?
Installation costs vary significantly based on several factors:
- Property heat loss: Larger, less insulated homes need bigger (more expensive) heat pumps.
- Hot water cylinder: If you have a combi boiler, you'll need a cylinder added (£500-1,500).
- Radiator upgrades: Older, smaller radiators may need upgrading for optimal performance (£1,000-3,000 typical).
- Location: London and South East installers typically charge 10-20% more.
Annual running costs
At Ofgem Q1 2026 tariffs (electricity 24.5p/kWh), annual heat pump running costs are typically:
- 2-bed terraced: £600-900/year
- 3-bed semi: £900-1,300/year
- 4-bed detached: £1,200-1,800/year
Maintenance costs
Heat pumps have fewer moving parts than gas boilers and typically require less maintenance. Annual servicing costs: £100-200/year from a qualified heat pump engineer. This is similar to or slightly less than annual boiler servicing.
Important disclaimer
heatpumpcompared.co.uk is editorially independent and not affiliated with any heat pump manufacturer or installer. We do not provide heating advice. Prices, specifications, SCOP ratings and grant amounts are correct as of April 2026 but are subject to change. Always commission a professional heat loss survey before purchasing a heat pump system.