Heat pumps

Heat Pumps in the UK — Costs, Brands and Grants

An air source heat pump costs between £8,000 and £17,500 fully installed before grants as of April 2026. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) reduces this by £7,500, bringing a typical installation to £4,000 to £10,000 for most homes. Heat pumps run on electricity rather than gas and can reduce your heating emissions by up to 70% compared to a gas boiler.

£7,500 BUS grant available0% VAT on installationsEngland & Wales eligible

Last reviewed: April 2026By Eco Home Check Editorial Team

Available grant

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The main government grant for heat pumps in England and Wales.

Open

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

£7,500

England & Wales

A government voucher worth £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump. Available to homeowners in England and Wales replacing a fossil fuel or electric heating system. Your MCS-certified installer redeems the voucher directly, so you never see the money.

Full grant details

Guides

Heat pump guides

In-depth guides on heat pump brands, running costs, and how they compare to other low-carbon heating options.

Best Heat Pump Brands in the UK, 2026

Daikin, Nibe, Vaillant, Samsung and Mitsubishi Electric compared on cost, efficiency, noise, and warranty.

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How Do Heat Pumps Work?

A plain-language explanation of how heat pumps extract warmth from outside air, how they heat your home, and what affects their efficiency.

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Solar Panels vs Heat Pumps: Which Should You Install First?

A side-by-side comparison of costs, grants, running savings, and which upgrade delivers better value for most UK homes.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How much does a heat pump cost after the BUS grant?: After the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, most air source heat pump installations cost between £4,000 and £10,000 depending on the brand, your property size, and installation complexity. Ground source systems are more expensive, typically £12,000 to £28,000 after the grant.
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?: The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government grant of £7,500 for air source and ground source heat pumps, and £5,000 for biomass boilers. It is open to homeowners in England and Wales. Your MCS-certified installer applies for the voucher on your behalf and deducts it from your installation quote.
Are heat pumps suitable for older UK homes?: Heat pumps work well in well-insulated homes. Older properties can be suitable, but may require some insulation improvements first to run efficiently. A heat pump installed in a poorly insulated home will work harder and cost more to run. An energy assessment before installation is strongly recommended.
How long does a heat pump last?: Most heat pumps have a lifespan of 15 to 25 years with regular servicing. This is longer than a typical gas boiler (10 to 15 years). Annual servicing costs are similar to those for a gas boiler, around £100 to £150 per year.

Check your eligibility for the BUS grant

Answer a few quick questions about your home to find out if you qualify for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme and other government energy grants.

Check your eligibility

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Heat Pumps in the UK — Costs, Brands and Grants

£7,500 BUS grant available0% VAT on installationsEngland & Wales eligible

Last reviewed: April 2026By Eco Home Check Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

How much does a heat pump cost after the BUS grant?

After the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, most air source heat pump installations cost between £4,000 and £10,000 depending on the brand, your property size, and installation complexity. Ground source systems are more expensive, typically £12,000 to £28,000 after the grant.

What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government grant of £7,500 for air source and ground source heat pumps, and £5,000 for biomass boilers. It is open to homeowners in England and Wales. Your MCS-certified installer applies for the voucher on your behalf and deducts it from your installation quote.

Are heat pumps suitable for older UK homes?

Heat pumps work well in well-insulated homes. Older properties can be suitable, but may require some insulation improvements first to run efficiently. A heat pump installed in a poorly insulated home will work harder and cost more to run. An energy assessment before installation is strongly recommended.

How long does a heat pump last?

Most heat pumps have a lifespan of 15 to 25 years with regular servicing. This is longer than a typical gas boiler (10 to 15 years). Annual servicing costs are similar to those for a gas boiler, around £100 to £150 per year.