Heat Pump Types
Which type of heat pump suits your home?
Air source dominates the UK market, ground source wins on efficiency, hybrid is the budget option, and water source remains niche. Here's how they compare.
Air Source (ASHP)
The most common UK heat pump. Sits outside, extracts warmth from the air. £10,500–£14,500 typical install. BUS-eligible. Suits most homes.
Ground Source (GSHP)
Pulls heat from the ground via boreholes or trenches. £18,000–£35,000 typical install. Higher efficiency, lower running cost, larger upfront.
Hybrid systems
ASHP plus a small gas boiler for peak cold. Cheaper upfront (£6,000–£10,000) but not BUS-eligible. Useful as a transitional setup.
Water Source
Rare in the UK. Uses lake, river or pond as the heat source. Highly efficient but planning-heavy. Mostly used by rural / off-grid properties.
Side by side
The three main systems, head to head.
| Factor | Air source | Ground source | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical install cost | £10,500–£14,500 | £18,000–£35,000 | £6,000–£10,000 |
| BUS grant eligible | Yes (£7,500) | Yes (£7,500) | No |
| Typical SCOP | 2.8–3.4 | 3.5–4.5 | 2.5–3.0 |
| Land needed | None (outdoor unit) | Garden (trench) or borehole | None |
| Lifespan | 15–20 years | 20–25 years (loop: 50+) | 15 years |
| Best for | Most UK homes | Rural, larger plots | Transitional / hard-to-heat |
Heat pump types — frequently asked
Which type of heat pump is best for a UK home?
For most UK homes, air source is the practical answer — lower upfront cost, no land requirements, BUS-eligible, and well understood by installers. Ground source delivers higher efficiency and lower running costs but the install cost difference rarely pays back inside 15 years.
Can a heat pump replace my boiler in a UK winter?
Yes, if correctly sized and installed. Modern heat pumps work down to -15°C to -25°C ambient. The common cause of "heat pumps don't work in winter" stories is undersizing or poor radiator sizing — both fixable with a competent MCS-certified installer.
Do I need underfloor heating for a heat pump?
No. Heat pumps work fine with radiators, provided the radiators are large enough for the lower flow temperature (typically 35–50°C vs 70–80°C for gas). Many UK homes can keep most existing radiators with one or two upgrades.
Want a personal recommendation?
The eligibility tool also tells you which heat pump type is most likely to suit your property and budget.