Air to Air Heat Pump Cost UK (2026): Installation Prices and the £2,500 Grant

Typical prices

System	Typical installed price	After £2,500 grant (if eligible)
Single room (one indoor unit)	From about £2,400	From about £0 (the grant can't exceed the cost)
Flat or small house (2 to 3 rooms)	About £4,500	About £2,000
Larger house (4+ rooms, multi-split or several systems)	£6,000 to £8,800+	£3,500 to £6,300+
Ducted (hidden units, grilles in each room)	Usually more than a wall-unit system of the same size	Price less £2,500

These are guide prices from the government's November 2025 announcement and published 2026 ranges, not quotes. Prices vary a lot with access, pipe runs and the number of rooms.

What pushes the price up

Number of indoor units. The biggest single factor. Each extra room adds a unit, pipework and labour.
Long or awkward pipe runs. If the outdoor unit can't sit close to the rooms, the pipework and trunking get longer.
Height and access. Upper-floor flats and terraces without rear access may need scaffolding or a platform.
Condensate drainage. If water can't drain by gravity, a small pump is added to each unit.
Electrical work. An older consumer unit may need upgrading before a new circuit can be added.
Brand and model. Design-led units (for example Daikin Emura or Mitsubishi Electric Zen) cost more than standard white wall units.
Ducted systems. Need loft or ceiling void space and more labour.
Hot water. Air to air heat pumps don't heat water. If you're removing a gas boiler, budget for an electric hot water cylinder or a hot water heat pump as well.

How the grant works on price

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £2,500 towards an air to air heat pump in England and Wales, available since 28 April 2026. Your installer applies and takes it off your quote, so you never pay the full price and claim it back. The system has to replace your existing gas, oil, LPG or electric heating and be able to meet the whole home's heating needs (on its own or with non-fossil top-up heaters). Full details are in our grant guide.

Running costs

At the October to December 2026 price cap (26.32p per kWh of electricity), a heat pump with a seasonal efficiency (SCOP) of 3.5 produces heat for about 7.5p per kWh. That's roughly a quarter of the cost of plug-in or storage-style electric heating and a little below a gas boiler. Work out your own figures in our running cost guide.

Is it cheaper than air-to-water?

Usually much cheaper to install. Air to water heat pumps (the kind that feed radiators) typically cost £8,000 to £16,500 before their larger £7,500 grant, and often need bigger radiators and a hot water cylinder. See air to air vs air to water.

Getting a fair quote

Get at least two quotes, both based on a room-by-room heat loss check.
Check the quote lists every indoor unit, the outdoor unit, the electrics, trunking and any condensate pumps.
Check it shows the £2,500 grant as a deduction if you're eligible.
Ask what servicing costs each year and whether that's needed to keep the warranty.

Questions

How much does an air to air heat pump cost in the UK?

The government's typical figure is about £4,500 for a flat or small house. A single room can start around £2,400, and a larger multi-room house can be £8,800 or more.

How much is the grant for an air to air heat pump?

£2,500 through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales, available since 28 April 2026, if you're replacing gas, oil, LPG or electric heating.

Is an air to air heat pump cheaper than air conditioning?

The hardware is very similar, so the price is similar. The difference is that an air to air heat pump is chosen and sized for heating, and can qualify for the grant if it replaces your main heating.

Does the price include hot water?

No. Air to air heat pumps heat and cool the air only. If you remove a gas boiler, you'll need another way to heat water, such as an electric cylinder or a hot water heat pump.

Sources

Checked 8 November 2026.