Air source heat pumps – most asked questions

Upgrading your old, inefficient heating system to an air source heat pump is a simple way to lower your energy bills and produce cleaner, greener energy. And with a government grant giving you £7,500 towards the cost of installation, there has never been a better time to make the switch.

Here, we’ve answered questions we’re asked the most about air source heat pumps, to help you make a decision.

What is the difference between an air source and ground source heat pump?

Both air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps absorb heat from the environment and use it to power our homes, even in freezing temperatures, but the main difference is where each unit draws its heat from.

As suggested in its name, an air source heat pump takes warmth from the air and converts it to heat. A ground source heat pump draws heat from the ground by running refrigerant through buried pipes.

Air source heat pumps are generally suited to all homes, as long as you have a well-ventilated outdoor space. The process of installation is simple, less expensive and less disruptive than that of ground source heat pumps.

Both have a typical efficiency rating of 300%, which is three times better than the average gas boiler.

How much does an air source heat pump cost?

A typical air source heat pump costs around £7,000 to £15,000 for supply and installation – this depends on the brand of heat pump, system size and the specifics of your home.

With incentives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (read more below) available, you could take £7,500 off the total cost, reducing it to around £2,000 to £5,500. This could increase for larger homes of four plus bedrooms but will still be a significant saving.

What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and am I eligible?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government initiative to encourage homeowners in England and Wales to replace old, inefficient gas or oil boilers with a low-carbon alternative.

Depending on the system you choose, you could receive a one-off grant of up to £7,500 towards it. Air source heat pumps are the most popular choice, over ground source heat pumps or biomass boilers, because they are well suited to most homes.  

Rather than asking you to pay the cost of an air source heat pump upfront and claim the money back later, the scheme works by paying the grant straight to your installer. As MCS-approved installers, we will advise you on your eligibility and apply for the grant on your behalf. The cost is then automatically taken off the amount your pay for installation.

To be eligible for the scheme, you must be a homeowner in England or Wales and your property must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) less than 10 years old.

If your EPC has recommendations to improve insulation, you may need to get this work done first before applying. New build homes may already meet EPC standards and if you own a listed property, you may have EPC or insulation exemption – so worth checking in more detail beforehand. We can help you with this when we carry out our free site survey.

There are plans for this scheme to run until at least 2028, but it won’t be around forever, so now is a great time to take advantage of it.

How much money can I save with an air source heat pump?

How much you can save with an air source heat pump will largely depend on the system you’re replacing it with, how well your home is insulated, the size of the ASHP and how well it is installed.

Replacing an inefficient gas or electric heating system in a typical three-bedroom semi-detached home, could save you around £260 per year with an ASHP. You can also expect to cut your CO2 emissions by around 1.9 tonnes per year.

Do air source heat pumps need maintenance or cleaning?

Air source heat pumps require checks you can do yourself and professional servicing to ensure they can perform at their best and give you optimal energy savings.

You can do regular checks to make sure the outdoor unit is not surrounded by, or covered in, leaves or dirt – it needs to have good airflow to do its job.

In freezing weather, it’s normal for a thin layer of frost to form on the outdoor unit. Air source heat pumps can melt any ice before it becomes a problem, but if you notice heavy ice that isn’t clearing, it’s worth getting it checked by your installer.

We advise you have your heat pump serviced once per year, like you would a boiler, to ensure the system runs smoothly. But if you notice inconsistent heating, excessive noise or strange smells, this could indicate underlying issues so you should ask your installer to look at it urgently.  

Subject to approval from the customer, we can monitor the system remotely via a password protected broadband connection to the heat pump control unit and make any adjustments as needed.

How much electricity does an ASHP use?

How much electricity your air source heat pump uses depends on the size of your home, outdoor temperatures, and how well-insulated your home is. On average an 8kWh air source heat pump uses about 6-10kWh per day, which is around 180-300kWh per month. During colder months, electricity usage can increase, as your heat pump will work harder to extract heat from the cold air.

Can an air source heat pump work with solar panels?

Yes! Your air source heat pump can be connected to your solar panels. It draws the electricity from them, which means less reliance on the grid and much lower bills. You’re effectively heating your home for free whenever there is daylight.

To make the most of the two together, you can add a solar battery. Without one, you’ll end up buying energy back in the evening to power your heat pump. With a battery, you can store that spare energy from your solar panels and use it later – for heating and for cooking or to charge your car overnight.

If you have any questions we haven’t answered here, please get in touch with our team at sales@eerenewables.co.uk.

Try our instant quote tool to get an idea of the cost of an air source heat pump for your home.