A complete guide to air source heat pumps
Thinking about installing an air source heat pump? Wondering how heat pumps work, or how much an air source heat pump costs?
Find out all you need to know about the low carbon heating alternative for 2026.
What is an air source heat pump?
An air source heat pump works by absorbing heat from the environment, even when temperatures are well below freezing. It extracts heat from the air around us and transfers that heat to the inside of your home, keeping you warm and comfortable.
Discover the benefits of an air source heat pump
Did you know heat pumps:
- use renewable energy
- are up to 300% more efficient than a standard gas boiler(1)
- can be cost-effective, especially with the an air source heat pump tariff
- reduce your carbon footprint by around 13% a year, that's roughly a return flight from London to Perth!(2)
- are quiet - they make as much noise as your fridge freezer
Why choose EDF?
If you're considering buying an air source heat pump, now's the time! With our heat pump tariffs you can benefit from twice-daily discounts!
Switching to a heat pump is easier with our Heat Pump Promise — if it doesn’t perform as promised, we’ll give you your money back. T&Cs apply.
Installers you can trust
EDF Heat Pumps has been awarded the Which? Trusted Trader accreditation.
Being a Which? Trusted Trader means that EDF Heat Pumps have met high standards for quality, reliability and customer service. Choose EDF Heat Pumps and feel confident that you're choosing an installer that delivers on performance and value.
How does an air source heat pump work?
A heat pump works a bit like an inside-out fridge. It captures heat from outside and moves it into your home, using electricity to do so. Here's the different parts of the system:
What to consider before buying a heat pump
There are a few things to consider before buying a heat pump, such as:
Air source heat pump costs
Prices start from £3,999(3)after the government grant (Price assumes reuse of a suitable existing hot water cylinder. Homes requiring a new cylinder will have an additional cost), but you could spread the cost through a monthly heat pump payment plan starting from £40.58(4).
Upgrading radiators for air source heat pumps
Some heat pump system designs, particularly low-temperature heat pumps, may also require larger radiators to work at their maximum efficiency.
Air source heat pump for underfloor heating
Heat pumps work best when there’s less of a difference between the inside and outside temperatures. Floors cover a much bigger area than radiators, so they don’t need to get as hot to provide the same amount of heat. This makes them a good match for underfloor heating, but it's not essential.
Heat pumps for water heating
Heat pumps can also be a great source of hot water – but the water is likely to be around 50-55 °C with a heat pump, compared to 60-65 °C with a boiler. This means that if you’re running a bath, you’ll need more hot water and less from the cold tap.
Advantages vs disadvantages of a heat pump
Advantages
- Heat pumps are 3 to 4 times more efficient than a gas boiler
- Low carbon (which can be reduced further with a renewable tariff)
- Reduced long-term running costs
- You may be eligible for a £7,500 grant towards installing an air source heat pump. Find out more info on our grants page
- Low maintenance with a long service life
- Having a heat pump means you can join a heat pump tariff! Our heat pump tariffs are designed to save you money with twice-daily discounts.
Disadvantages
- To improve running costs and qualify for any government support you may need to invest in improving your insulation. Adding more insulation is beneficial regardless of the heating system you have
- Even with government initiatives, an air source heat pump costs more than other heating systems
- Installation can take 3 - 8 days and the whole process of buying a heat pump may take around 12 weeks
- You'll need space - outside for the pump and inside for a water storage tank. Some heat pumps may also need an indoor unit but don't worry, this will replace your existing boiler
Are there different types of air source heat pumps?
Air to water air source heat pumps
In air-to-water heat pumps systems, the heat is transferred into a ‘wet’ heating system (conventional radiator central heating). This set-up gives you hot water and keeps your home warm. Only these heat pumps qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Air to air air source heat pumps
As their name suggests, 'air-to-air' air source heat pumps transfer heat directly into the air in your rooms. More commonly known as air conditioning units, they can be switched between heat and cooling depending on the season. It's worth noting, these heat pumps don’t provide hot water.
Hybrid air source heat pumps
These heat pumps are combined with a boiler. Depending on the type of hybrid system, the boiler can assist the heat pump by providing hot water or a quick heat boost during a particularly cold snap.
What are the running costs of an air source heat pump?
Energy prices vary - and our homes and energy use differ too. So it's hard to give an exact figure for how much money it could cost to run a heat pump. But, based on November fuel cost figures, we've put together this example based on a home using 11,500 kWh of heat per year.
A 3 bedroom house might need about 11,500 kWh of heat per year (although this will vary). We divide the heat requirement by the efficiency of the appliance, then multiply it by the price of the fuel to get the total running costs. Therefore, to heat this particular home at the current average fuel prices(5):
Are there any maintenance costs to air source heat pumps?
Air source heat pumps have a working life of 15-20 years or more. But just like a boiler, you should get your air source heat pump professionally serviced annually to maintain your warranty coverage and to make sure it's still working at its best. There are some things you can do yourself:
- Make sure that there's plenty of air around your heat pump. This means regularly checking for leaves or rubbish caught at the back and side of the heat pump and pruning back any plants growing too close to the unit or its pipes
- In very cold weather make sure to clear snow from the air source heat pump
- Follow your installer's instructions on how to use your heat pump
- All of our heat pumps come with a manufacturer's warranty of up to 7 years
How to get an air source heat pump
Answer a few quick questions and a member of our team will be in touch!
