Air source heat pumps are the leading low-carbon heating solution for UK homes. With the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant and 0% VAT, a heat pump can cost as little as £500 for a 2-bed flat. Here's a complete breakdown of what you can expect to pay in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.
£7,500 BUS Grant Available
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 towards air source heat pump installation. The grant is deducted directly from your invoice — you never handle the money. We manage the entire application process.Read our full BUS guide
Heat Pump Costs by Property Size
| Property | System Size | Full Cost | BUS Grant | You Pay | Annual Running |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 bed | 5-6 kW | £7,000 - £10,000 | -£7,500 | £0 - £2,500 | £610 - £720 |
| 3-bed semi | 8-10 kW | £8,000 - £13,000 | -£7,500 | £500 - £5,500 | £610 - £720 |
| 4-bed detached | 10-12 kW | £11,000 - £18,000 | -£7,500 | £3,500 - £10,500 | £610 - £720 |
All prices include 0% VAT. Costs include hot water cylinder and typical installation. Running costs based on SCOP 3.5, electricity at 24.5p/kWh.
Heat Pump Brands We Install
| Brand | Origin | SCOP | Noise | Unit Price | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daikin Altherma 3 | Japan | 3.8-4.5 | 37-45 dB | £3,500-£5,500 | 5 years (ext. 7) |
| Mitsubishi Ecodan | Japan | 3.5-4.2 | 38-46 dB | £3,200-£5,000 | 5 years (ext. 7) |
| Vaillant aroTHERM plus | Germany | 4.0-4.7 | 35-42 dB | £4,000-£6,000 | 5 years (ext. 7) |
| Samsung EHS Mono | S. Korea | 3.6-4.3 | 37-44 dB | £2,800-£4,500 | 5 years |
| Grant Aerona³ | Ireland | 3.5-4.1 | 40-48 dB | £3,000-£4,800 | 5 years (ext. 7) |
Unit prices shown are for the heat pump unit only. Full installation costs include cylinder, pipework, controls, and labour as shown in the table above.
Running Costs: Heat Pump vs Gas Boiler
| Metric | Gas Boiler | Heat Pump |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Cost | 6.76p/kWh (gas) | 24.5p/kWh (electricity) |
| Efficiency | 85-92% | 300-350% (SCOP 3.0-3.5) |
| Effective Heating Cost | 7.3-8.0p/kWh | 7.0-8.2p/kWh |
| Annual Cost (3-bed) | £800-£1,000 | £680-£850 |
| Carbon Emissions | High (fossil fuel) | Low (and falling) |
Heat Pump + Solar: The Ultimate Combination
Pairing a heat pump with solar panels dramatically reduces running costs. Solar generates free electricity during the day when the heat pump is working hardest. Adding battery storage lets you use solar power for evening heating too.
Do I Need to Upgrade My Radiators?
Heat pumps work most efficiently at lower flow temperatures (35-45C) compared to gas boilers (55-75C). This means some radiators may need to be larger to deliver the same amount of heat.
Radiator Upgrades Are Often Included
In a typical 3-4 bed home, 2-4 radiators may need replacing. This is usually factored into the installation cost. Well-insulated homes with newer, larger radiators may not need any upgrades at all. We assess this during your free home survey.
Installation Timeline
Free Home Assessment
1-2 hoursWe survey your property, check insulation, measure radiators, and confirm BUS eligibility.
System Design & Quote
5 working daysDetailed quote showing costs before and after the £7,500 grant.
BUS Application
2-3 weeksWe submit the application to Ofgem and handle all paperwork.
Installation
2-4 daysFull installation including any radiator upgrades.
Commissioning
2-3 hoursSystem commissioning, controls setup, and handover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
Local Heat Pump Cost Guides
Postcode-specific costs, grant details, and local suitability information.
