Summary
- Whole-home air source runs $12,000–25,000 (US) or £8,000–16,000 (UK).
- Ground source costs two to three times more than air source.
- Insist on a room-by-room heat loss calculation before any quote.
- Low flow temperature and correct emitters decide running cost.
- Check current grants and whether the quote is pre- or post-grant.
Quick answer
An air source heat pump installed costs roughly $12,000–25,000 in the US and £8,000–16,000 in the UK before any grant. Ground source systems cost two to three times more. Grants and tax credits can cut the net price substantially in both markets.
Types and typical installed prices
| System | US installed | UK installed |
|---|---|---|
| Air-to-air (ductless mini-split, 1 zone) | $3,500–8,000 | £2,000–5,000 |
| Air-to-air, multi-zone | $8,000–18,000 | £5,000–12,000 |
| Air source (air-to-water, whole home) | $12,000–25,000 | £8,000–16,000 |
| Ground source, boreholes | $25,000–55,000 | £18,000–40,000 |
| Exhaust air heat pump | $8,000–15,000 | £6,000–11,000 |
| Hot water heat pump only | $2,500–5,000 | £1,800–3,500 |
Prices include the unit, installation and commissioning. Radiator upgrades, a new cylinder, or electrical work are often extra.
What affects your quote
Running costs and savings
A well-installed heat pump delivers about 3–4 units of heat per unit of electricity across a year. Whether that saves money depends on your local electricity-to-gas price ratio: savings are strong against oil, LPG and direct electric heating, and narrower against cheap mains gas. Ask the installer for a predicted seasonal efficiency figure and an annual running cost based on your actual usage.
Grants and incentives
Both markets offer support that changes year to year: federal and state incentives and utility rebates in the US, and government grants in the UK. Ask the installer which schemes you qualify for, whether they handle the paperwork, and whether the quoted price is before or after the grant.
Questions to ask every installer
Warning signs
Oversized units quoted without a heat loss survey, a same-day price without a site visit, a design based on high flow temperatures, or a refusal to put predicted running costs in writing.
Summary
Expect £8,000–16,000 or $12,000–25,000 for a whole-home air source installation before grants. The quality of the design — heat loss survey, flow temperature, emitters — decides whether the system is cheap to run, far more than the brand of unit.