How much do heat pump water heaters cost?
This cost guide was written in partnership with our professional estimators here at Checkatrade. Our estimators are Chartered Members (MRICS) of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Members of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB).
Fast Facts
- Heat pump water heaters cost on average £8,750 - £12,500
- Prices can vary depending on the make and model of water heater and the size of your home
- Heat pump water heaters are more efficient than traditional water heaters
Heat pump water heaters are more efficient than conventional storage tanks, which can lead to significantly lower energy bills. But how much do heat pump water heaters cost?
Here, we’ll reveal all – from supply and installation costs to how much heat pump water heaters typically cost to run.
How much is a heat pump hot water system?
The average cost of a heat pump water heater is £8,750 - £12,500.
Heat pump water heaters cost less than regular heat pumps, as they’re only designed to meet your home’s hot water needs – rather than provide hot water for central heating.
| Home Size | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Bungalow (2 bed) | £7,450 | £8,900 | £8,250 |
| Terranced House (2-3 bed) | £7,950 | £9,700 | £9,450 |
| Semi-Detached House (2-3 bed) | £8,950 | £10,925 | £10,615 |
| Detached House (3-4 bed) | £10,650 | £14,500 | £12,900 |
Last updated: May 2024
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
Heat pump water heater price
Usually, the cost of your heat pump water heater will be included in your overall quote.
But if we look at the supply-only cost, you can expect to pay roughly £1,950 – £3,500 for a heat water pump. You’ll also need to budget roughly £2,950 –£6,500 for an air source inverter.
Heat pump water heater installation cost
The average heat pump water heater installation cost is £8,750 - £12,500. This includes both supply and labour.
As a general guide, plumbers will charge a day rate of around £250 - £375 for this kind of work.
Factors affecting how much heat pump water heaters cost
Your heat pump water heater cost can vary based on several factors. These include your system’s:
- Size
- Brand
- Model
The more litres your system can hold, the higher your cost will usually be. As a general rule, bigger homes with more bathrooms will need larger water tanks to meet their household’s hot water needs.
Depending on the location of your existing pipework, you may also need new water inlet and outlet pipes, which can further increase your costs.
On the other hand, if you live in certain rural areas of Scotland, you may be able to reduce your costs significantly with a government grant of up to £7,500 or £9,000.
Is it worth it to get a heat pump water heater?
Yes! If you only need to heat water for your showers and taps, it could be well worth getting a heat pump water heater.
After all, they:
- Cost less than regular heat pumps
- Heat water more efficiently than conventional storage tanks
- Are environmentally friendly
- Aren’t noisy
- Have a long lifespan
Just bear in mind that they don’t provide central heating for your home. So, they’re best suited to homes that have a dry heating system as opposed to a wet heating system with radiators.
Similarly, heat pump water heaters need to be installed indoors, on an exterior wall. This allows your installer to drill through the wall and connect your heat pump water heater to an air source inverter that’s installed outside on the same wall.
With this in mind, you’ll need a location that’s suitable for both the indoor and outdoor equipment, which isn’t always easy depending on the layout of your home.
As you can see, heat pump water heaters aren’t for everyone. But they are certainly worth it for the right household!
How much does it cost to run a heat pump water heater?
Heat pump water heaters cost less to run than electric water heaters. This is because they’re around three times more efficient!
The average household can expect to spend around £140 per year on running a heat pump water heater.
This is in contrast to around £420 per year for an electric water heater.
On the other hand, heat pump water heaters tend to cost slightly more to run than gas water heaters, due to the higher cost of electricity.
Luckily, the price difference isn’t significant, thanks to how efficient heat pump water heaters can be.
How long does a heat pump take to heat water?
Heat pumps typically take a bit longer to heat water than traditional water heaters. This is because they produce heat at lower temperatures than gas or electric water heaters – typically around 45°C instead of 60°C.
With this in mind, it can take around 20 to 30 minutes to heat up the contents of your hot water cylinder or tank.
But don’t worry! Your hot water cylinder can store heated water and maintain its temperature for several days, so that it’s ready to use when you need it.
There should be more than enough warm water in your hot water cylinder for everyday use – even in a busy family household with several baths or showers a day.
So you won’t need to wait for your heat pump to heat up your hot water when you turn on the tap!
Key takeaways
As you can see, a heat pump water heater is a great option for the right household.
- Heat pump water heaters are more efficient than traditional water heaters
- They’re environmentally friendly
- The average cost of a heat pump water heater is £8,750 - £12,500
- Costs can vary depending on the make and model of your water heater and the size of your home
Ready to swap to a heat pump water heater? Enter your postcode into the search box below to get a quote from a plumber near you.
Working with professional estimators, we collate cost estimates for the common home improvement and repair jobs in the UK.
All the costs are estimates only. For accurate costs for your particular requirements, you are encouraged to reach out to professional tradespeople to receive a quote for your job.
Our estimators are Chartered Members (MRICS) of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Members of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB). See full disclaimer.
No comments yet!