Get up to 4 quotes by filling in only 1 quick form
Slash your energy bills by installing a heat pump
We’ve helped over 500,000 homeowners reduce their carbon footprint
- GreenMatch
- Air Source Heat Pumps
- Air to Air Heat Pumps
Air to Air Heat Pumps Guide: Costs + Pros & Cons in 2024
- An air to air heat pump is a heating and cooling system that takes heat from the outdoor air and transfers it to the interior of your home.
- On average, installing an air to air source heat pump costs about £5,000–£10,000. Its average running costs reach £1,360 a year and reduce your heating bills by 20%-40%.
- An air source heat pump performs both cooling and heating functions, and it’s an energy-efficient and cost-effective substitute for a gas boiler and an AC unit.
In this article, we’ll discuss the air to air heat pump cost in the UK, government incentives, efficiency as well as pros and cons to assist your decision-making.
Get up to 4 free quotes from trusted installers through GreenMatch at no cost or obligations. Complete our 30-second form and compare the quotes to find the best deal. Click the button below to get started.
- Quotes from local engineers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £1100 per year
- Air to Air Heat Pumps Guide: Costs + Pros & Cons
- What is an air to air heat pump?
- How does an air to air heat pump work?
- Air to air heat pump cost in the UK
- Air to air heat pump installation cost
- Air to air heat pump running costs in 2024
- Are air to air heat pumps eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
- Advantages of air to air heat pumps
- Disadvantages of air to air heat pumps
- Is an air to air heat pump suitable for my home?
- Leading heat pump manufacturers in the UK
- FAQs
What is an air to air heat pump?
An air to air heat pump is a specific type of air source heat pump (ASHP) that absorbs heat from the outside air to distribute in your home, usually via a ventilation fan system.
Air source heat pumps are often considered a renewable energy system as they use significantly less energy than a conventional system. As with all heat pumps, it is able to provide both heating and cooling for your home.
This type of heat pump is not only sustainable and efficient but also one of the most affordable heat pumps on the market. In the long run, it will allow you to cut your heating bill by £295 yearly compared to an old G-rated boiler, and furthermore:
- Reduce electricity usage by up to 50% (compared to boilers.)
- Easily navigate between heating and cooling, depending on the season – an air to air heat pump can act like an air conditioner in the hot months and as a heating source in the wintertime.
- Get an air source heat pump with a long lifespan. The average lifetime of an air to air heat pump ranges between 10-15 years.
If you’d like to replace a gas boiler with a heat pump, you’re well on your way to significantly lowering your energy bills, with heat pumps being an excellent alternative for your home in light of any eye-watering energy prices.
You can also combine an air to air heat pump and a gas boiler for domestic hot water purposes using a hybrid heat pump system.
How does an air to air heat pump work?
Air source heat pumps essentially work by using the principles of vapour compression refrigeration to absorb heat in one place and release it to another. In this case, it means extracting heat from the outside air and using it to warm the inside of a building via fans.
The efficiency of an ASHP depends on the size of the building, the specific model, and the type of technology used.
The video below illustrates how the process works.
Air to air heating
The air to air heating process can also be reversed in the summer to cool the building.
- The air source heat pump draws in the ambient air.
- The heat from the air is transferred to a refrigerant through a heat exchanger coil.
- The refrigerant vapour gets compressed and transported to an indoor unit through refrigerant lines.
- The indoor unit releases the heat to warm the rooms.
- The refrigerant cools back into a liquid and passes through the expansion valve.
- The heat is released which creates the liquid-vapour mixture.
- This mixture circulates back to the outdoor unit to be heated again.
Air to air heat pump cost in the UK
The average air to air heat pump cost in the UK is £5,000–£10,000. And for households of 2-4 people the installation and running costs range from £6,900–£8,700.
| Installation cost | Avg. annual running cost | Annual maintenance cost |
|---|---|---|
| £5,000–£10,000 | £1,360 | £150–£200 |
The larger the house, the larger the heat pump required to maintain the indoor temperature, and the more expensive the installation cost will be. Here are the approximate air to air heat pump costs based on the house size.
| Household size | Avg energy/gas consumption (kWh) | Installation cost | Running costs* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 1,800/8,000 | £5,000–£8,000 | £700–1000 |
| 2 bedrooms | 2,500/10,000 | £6,000–£7,500 | £1000–£1200 |
| 3 bedrooms | 3,000/12,000 | £6,000–£7,500 | £1,200-£2,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 3,500/15,000 | £6,000–£10,000 | £1,500–£2,600 |
Just as with any energy system, there are different pros and cons of air to air heat pumps that change per household. Together with the air to air heat pump efficiency, here are some factors to consider that will affect the running costs:
- Size and layout of your rooms
- How often the heat pump is used
- Insulation of your home
- Energy efficiency and number of windows
- The general surrounding climate
A gas boiler will incur annual costs of £1,250 for the typical UK household. In contrast, a highly efficient heat pump will result in annual heating expenses of around £1,360.
Yet let’s not forget boilers provide heating options only. If you cool your home during summer with an air conditioning system, prepare to pay another £400 for it.
Overall, when it comes to the “air to air heat pump vs air conditioner” debate, the former offers both heating and cooling capabilities, making it a versatile choice for climate control.
| Heating system | Yearly running cost |
|---|---|
| Gas boiler + Air conditioning unit | £1,650 |
| Air to air source heat pump | £1,360 |
By transitioning to the air to air heating system, in the long run, you will incur lower expenses with it compared to the combined costs of a gas boiler and an air conditioning unit, enjoying yearly savings of £295 for an average household.
You can find out more about the running costs in the video below:
Air to air heat pumps can significantly cut your monthly heating bills. You can find out more about the running costs in the video below:
Air to air heat pump installation cost
The installation process of an air to air heat pump is considered to be fairly straightforward, especially when compared to other heat pump types. This means the air to air heat pump installation is also cheaper.
| Supply cost | Installation |
|---|---|
| £5,000–£10,000 | £1,600 – £3,100 |
Unlike an air to water heat pump, an air to air heat pump only needs the outdoor unit that extracts ambient air, and the indoor unit to expel that air as heating (or cooling). You will not need to have radiators or extensive pipeworks installed, as you would with the air to water system.
Air to air heat pump running costs in 2024
The efficiency of any type of air source heat pump is measured by the Coefficient of Performance (CoP). The higher the CoP value, the better: for example, the CoP of air to air source heat pumps typically ranges from 2.5 to 4.
A CoP of 4, for instance, means that the heat pump produces 4 units of heat energy for every 1 unit of electricity it consumes.
In simpler terms, for each kWh of electricity used, 4 kWh of heating energy is created. You can calculate the air source running costs using the following formula:
(Average yearly heating requirement (kWh)/CoP) x27p*
* Electricity price as of October 2023
For example, an air to air heating system with a CoP of 2.5 can result in the following running costs for various properties in the UK:
| Household size | Avg yearly heating requirement (kWh) | Estimated air to air heat pump running costs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 9,000 | £972 |
| 2 bedrooms | 11,100 | £1198 |
| 3 bedrooms | 18,000 | £1940 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 24,000 | £2592 |
Keep in mind these numbers are rough estimates and a personalised calculation is highly advisable. Seek professional advice to get a clearer picture of how much running an air to air heat pump at your property will cost you.
CoP is very dependent on the outside air temperature. Usually, the CoP of air source heat pumps is fairly stable between 2–3, if the outside temperature ranges between -3°C to 10°C.
What this means is that, in very mild weather, the heat pump CoP is higher and the machine works efficiently. On colder days it is quite the opposite: it will take the heat pump more work to transfer the same amount of heat, hence the CoP will be lower.
Air source heat pumps are considered an efficient heating option in the UK. If properly installed and combined with the right components, it can be just as efficient in warmer as well as colder UK regions. For instance, most of the modern air to air heat pumps use inverters to reduce wear and tear of the heat pump and to increase the CoP.
Are air to air heat pumps eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
Yes, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is just one of the many heat pump grants eligible to be used with an air to air source heat pump. With the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) you may be eligible to receive up to £7,500 to assist with the upfront costs of an air to air source heat pump. This means getting an air to air heat pump in the UK has become more accessible and affordable.
The eligibility criteria for this grant are as follows:
- You are a homeowner, small landlord, or private landlord in England or Wales.
- You have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations.*
- You are not replacing an existing low-carbon heating system. You can only replace fossil fuel heating systems (e.g. oil, gas, direct electric).
- You have an air to air heat pump installation capacity up to 45kWth (kilowatt thermal capacity).
*Homeowners with outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation may still apply if the installation of these forms of insulation was completed during the voucher validity period, as indicated by a newly generated EPC at the voucher redemption stage.
GreenMatch specialises in helping UK homeowners get bespoke and reliable quotes from trustworthy heat pump professionals across the country. You’re able to easily get up to 4 different quotes for free and without obligation.
Ready to find out how much a heat pump will cost you and how much money you can save? It all starts with our 30-second contact form to start getting up to 4 free quotes.
- Quotes from local engineers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £1100 per year
Advantages of air to air heat pumps
- Easy to install. These types of heat pumps are very easy to install. Only a hole in the wall is needed and the installation can be done in a single day.
- Compatible. It can be easily installed in a house with an existing conventional heating system. Additionally, your house does not need a hydronic heating system or any other additional intervention.
- Affordable. Air to air heat pumps are relatively easy to install and don’t require extra pipework, the installation is inexpensive.
- Reversible. Air to air heat pumps can easily be switched to cooling mode and used as an air conditioner during the summer. Together with the built-in air filters, this will create a desirable microclimate in the room and you can run an air to air heat pump in multiple rooms at once.
- Low maintenance. They require little to no maintenance. Usually, your installer will check the condition of the pump once a year.
- Safe. Unlike other heating solutions, air to air heat pumps do not bring potentially flammable fuel into the home, and therefore reduce the chances of accidents.
Disadvantages of air to air heat pumps
✘ Seasonal dependency. Air to air heat pumps are dependent on the outside air temperature. They work most effectively if the outdoor temperature is between -3°C and 10°C. When the temperature drops to -10°C or below, the electric power consumption of the pump increases. Luckily, UK temperatures don’t usually drop this low.
✘ Dust. Due to using fans to distribute heating/cooling, the dust contained in the air may move throughout the room.
✘ Lower supply. It provides a lower heat supply compared to oil or gas boilers, meaning that you would need bigger vents.
✘ Extra expenses. If you live in colder parts of the country, you would need to invest in some additional elements, to ensure optimal results and electricity usage of the heat pump. However, the additional parts are not high in cost, hence it is not a huge disadvantage – and they pay off in the long run.
Is an air to air heat pump suitable for my home?
An air to air heat pump is a great choice for heating and cooling your home. It is suitable for most homes, but to install an air to air source heat pump, you should consider several criteria.
- Home Insulation: Ensure your home is well-insulated to minimise heat loss, as heat can escape through walls, the roof, and windows. This not only reduces energy consumption but also improves efficiency, ultimately leading to lower energy bills. Proper insulation may allow for a smaller and more cost-effective air to air heating system.
- Outdoor Space: You’ll need outdoor space to install the heat pump unit, and the required space depends on your energy usage and the unit’s size. Carefully consider the unit’s location to ensure adequate ventilation and airflow for optimal performance.
- Climate Considerations: Take into account the climate of the area you live in. If you experience extremely cold winters with temperatures often dropping below -10°C, you may need a secondary heating system to maintain indoor comfort without significantly increasing your energy bills. In moderate climates with mild winters and moderate summers, an air to air heat pump is an excellent choice.
- Professional Installation: Only consider an air to air heating system if you have access to a qualified heating installer nearby. They can ensure proper air to air heat pump installation, maximising efficiency. Additionally, they can assist with determining the right unit size and provide local rate quotes for the installation.
Leading heat pump manufacturers in the UK
The heat pump market is growing and competitive as they continue to gain popularity as an energy-efficient and renewable heating system. We’ve researched to find the best air source heat pump manufacturers based on air to air heat pump reviews and quality of service.
Check out some of the most popular heat pump brands for air source units:
| Brand | Avg cost | Warranty | Efficiency (CoP) | Model range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daikin | £1,900–£3,500 | 3 years | 5 | Ururu Sarara, Emura, Comfora |
| Vaillant | £4,400–£6,500 | Up to 7 years | 4 | aroTHERM |
| Worcester Bosch | £6,000–£8,600 | 3–5 years | Up to 4 | Compress, 7400i AW |
| Viessmann | £3,700–£8,400 | 2–7 years | 4.3–5 | Vitocal |
When it comes to the best air source heat pumps, there are many manufacturers to choose from, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. It can be overwhelming to navigate through all the options, but it’s important to keep in mind that there is a manufacturer out there that can provide the best air to air heat pump for your home.
It’s always a good idea to research air to air heat pump reviews and compare different air to air heat pump prices to see which one suits your needs best.
If you’re uncertain about where to begin, a professional installer can assist in choosing the right air source heat pump for your home. GreenMatch connects you with up to 4 local experts who offer free customised quotes for top heat pump brands, ensuring long-lasting performance and efficient operation.
If you want to receive up to 4 free bespoke quotes on air source heat pumps, simply fill in our 30-second contact form by clicking the button below. The service is completely free and at no obligation. Click below to get your quotes!
- Quotes from local engineers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £1100 per year
FAQs
As a writer with a deep understanding of low-carbon energy systems, Hannah aims to breakdown knowledge barriers and share insights to empower individuals in their pursuit of creating more environmentally conscious homes.
We strive to connect our customers with the right product and supplier. Would you like to be part of GreenMatch? - Air to Air Heat Pumps Guide: Costs + Pros & Cons
- What is an air to air heat pump?
- How does an air to air heat pump work?
- Air to air heat pump cost in the UK
- Air to air heat pump installation cost
- Air to air heat pump running costs in 2024
- Are air to air heat pumps eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?
- Advantages of air to air heat pumps
- Disadvantages of air to air heat pumps
- Is an air to air heat pump suitable for my home?
- Leading heat pump manufacturers in the UK
- FAQs