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Last updated: 3 July 2024

Air to Air Heat Pumps in the UK: Costs, Grants and Pros & Cons

Air to air heat pumps in the UK
  • The greatest advantage of air to air heat pumps is that they are highly efficient (2 - 2.5 times more efficient than an A-rated gas boiler).
  • An air to air heat pump costs around £2,400 - £8,800. Including installation, these prices can add up to somewhere between £2,750 - £10,100.
  • There are multiple heat pump grants available in the UK. One of them is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with which you can receive up to £7,500 to install an air to air heat pump.

Over the last few years, thousands of homeowners have reaped the environmental and financial benefits of installing an air to air heat pump in the UK. Want to know how you can also enjoy all these advantages? In this article we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of air to air heat pumps, as well as the costs of installing heat pumps in the UK.

Additionally, if you’re ready to make the switch to renewable energy, we’re also here to help you take the next step in the installation process. Rather than researching installers in your area on your own for hours or even days on end, let us connect you with up to 4 local installers vetted by us. 

Just click below to fill in our 30-second form and you’ll receive free, non-binding quotes from some of the best air to air heat pump installers in the UK! 

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What is an air to air heat pump?

Air to air heat pump

An air to air heat pump is a type of air source heat pump and is different from an air to water heat pump. An air to air heat pump is a heating and cooling device that transfers warm or cool air from the air outside into your home. This happens via a ventilation fan system. 

Air to air heat pumps are known for their high efficiency rates, which can reach up to 300%. This means that for each unit of electricity that the heat pump consumes, it produces up to 3 times as much heating or cooling. 

This energy system also boasts a lifespan of between 10 - 15 years. What this means is that, once installed, you can enjoy benefits such as reduced running costs and lower carbon emissions for years to come.

How does an air to air heat pump work?

An air to air heat pump works by absorbing air from outside into a refrigerant, which is then compressed, warmed up, and released into your home as hot air. The heat is distributed via a ventilation system. 

For the cooling process, the warm air inside your home is absorbed and the refrigerant that is heated from it travels outside, where it is cooled down by the outdoor air. The cooled refrigerant is then transferred back inside, ready to repeat the process. 

For a more detailed explanation of the heating process, you can check the visual below: 

A2A Heat pump Interactive
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Air to air heat pump costs in the UK

Currently, an air source heat pump costs somewhere between £2,400 and £8,800. Below you can find an overview of the supply and installation costs, as well as how much it costs to keep an air to air heat pump running in a year: 

Air to Air Heat Pump Costs
Estimated Supply CostsEstimated Installation CostsEstimated Total CostEstimated Yearly Running Costs
£2,400 - £8,800£350 - £1,700£2,750 - £10,100£935 - £1,845

As you can see, air to air heat pump costs in the UK are quite high. Once installed, your air to air heat pump will bring some savings to your yearly heating bills. However, it’s important to note that it will only be able to attend to your household’s heating needs, so you would still need to spend money on a system that ensures your hot water supply. 

Whatever your situation, you can lessen the financial burden of installing an air to air heat pump by making use of the government grants available in the UK. One such incentive is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with which you can receive up to £7,500 to install an air to air heat pump.

Some other grants for air to air heat pumps include: Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), Warmer Homes Scotland, Home Energy Scotland, Warm Homes Programme Wales, and The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme. You can check how much you can save with each of these heat pump grants to avoid overspending on an air to air heat pump. 

Need more help deciding whether an air to air heat pump is the right choice for you? Then you’ll need to find a reliable installer to consult with. However, this is not exactly easy to do on your own. You could spend hours or even days googling local installers, with no guarantee that you’ll have found what you’re looking for and having difficulty finding the best air source heat pump for your home.  

Instead of wasting your precious free afternoons on tedious research, let us connect you with up to 4 air to air heat pump installers in your area in no time. Just fill in our 30-second form and you’ll receive free, non-binding quotes. Then, all that you have to do is compare prices and installers to secure the best deal for your home. Click below to get started now!

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Air to air heat pump advantages

Air to air heat pump pros
  • Easy installation: Air to air heat pumps are the easiest kind of heat pump to install. The installation process can usually be completed in 1 - 2 days. All that’s needed is for the indoor and outdoor units to be installed and connected. 
  • Highly efficient: Air to air heat pumps are about 200 - 250% efficient. This is generally measured through a Coefficient of Performance (CoP) of 2 to 2.5. This means that for each unit of electricity that the heat pump consumes to operate, it produces 2 - 2.5 units of usable energy. 
  • Versatile: This renewable energy source works for both heating and cooling. This means that just one appliance does the job of both a boiler and an air conditioner. The heating and cooling processes can easily alternate depending on the season and your needs. 
  • Can be paired with other systems: An air to air heat pump can easily be paired with other traditional or renewable energy systems. For instance, it’s compatible with boilers, if you’re looking to install a hybrid heating system. An air source heat pump combined with solar panels is also an option, so it can run on clean energy. 
  • Minimal maintenance: Once installed, air to air heat pumps require little to no maintenance. Generally, it’s advisable to have your system serviced once every 2 - 3 years to ensure that it can run optimally for years to come. 
  • Increased home safety: Since they run on electricity, air to air heat pumps reduce the risk of accidents caused by combustible fuel types such as gas. This makes them a safer option for any household. 

Air to air heat pump disadvantages

Air to air heat pump cons
  • Seasonal dependency: Air to air heat pumps lose some of their efficiency when temperatures drop below -10°C. When this happens, they consume more electricity to generate the same amount of energy they normally produce for your home. 
  • Dust distribution: Because they use a fan ventilation system to transfer heat from outside into your home, they can also sometimes bring dust into your home. 
  • Lower heat supply: Compared to some other energy systems, air to air heat pumps offer a more limited heating supply. As a result, you may need an appliance with a larger power output size to attend to your household’s energy needs. 
  • Potential noisy operation: While most air to air heat pumps are known for their quiet operation, in some cases you may experience some disruptions to the comfort of your home. Generally, the noise levels are comparable to those of an air conditioner. 

Is an air to air heat pump suitable for my household?

Air to air heat pumps are an excellent option if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, as well as your yearly energy bills. On top of that, air to air heat pumps are easy to install and take up relatively little space, making them suitable for virtually any kind of home.

With energy efficiency levels of up to 300% and different power output availability, air to air heat pumps can attend to the needs of most household sizes. However, even with all these impressive benefits, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re the best option for your home. 

If you’re still on the fence about an air to air heat pump installation, you will need to consult a professional who can offer you tailored advice. Yet, finding someone you can trust can be an overwhelming process involving seemingly endless browsing. 

Fortunately, we can get you in touch with reliable heat pump installers from our network in no time. Just fill in our 30-second form and we’ll have up to 4 installers in your area reach out to you with quotes for their services. You can then pick the installer that meets all your requirements and secure the best deal for your heat pump installation at the same time. 

Simply click below to request free, no-obligation quotes now!

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Frequently asked questions