Boiler Upgrade Scheme — up to £7,500 off a new heat pump. Check your eligibility → Learn more
Semi-detached house owners — UK 2026

Air source heat pumps for a semi-detached house

Typical heat pump size: 6–10 kW. Installed cost before grant: £9,500–£13,500. After £7,500 BUS grant in England & Wales, most homeowners pay significantly less.

Free, no-obligation

Get free heat pump quotes

Step 1 of 5

~60 seconds

What kind of property is it?

Network standards

  • MCS-Certified Installers Only
  • TrustMark / Which? Trusted Trader Members
  • Manufacturer-Approved (Daikin, Vaillant, Mitsubishi)
  • £7,500 BUS Grant Application Help
  • Quotes Usually Within 2–3 Working Days
  • Free Heat Loss Survey Where Required

Quote terms, lead times, and grant eligibility vary by installer. UKHeatPumpQuotes is a matching service, not an installer.

What to expect for a semi-detached house

A semi-detached house in the UK typically needs a 6–10 kW air source heat pump, depending on insulation level, glazing, and floor area. The MCS-certified installer's heat-loss survey calculates the exact kW needed — sizing too small leaves you cold, sizing too large causes short-cycling and inflated bills.

The cost range above (£9,500–£13,500) covers the heat pump itself, hot water cylinder, control gear, install labour, electrical connection, MCS commissioning and BUS application. It does NOT include underfloor heating retrofits, which most properties don't need — radiator upgrades (where required) ARE included.

For a semi-detached house, the most common "hidden cost" is replacing 2–4 radiators with larger ones to handle the lower water temperature (45–55°C vs a boiler's 70–80°C). A good installer prices this in upfront; a cheap one quietly omits it and discovers the issue mid-install.

Is your home ready?

6 signs an air source heat pump fits your home

Modern heat pumps suit far more UK homes than older models did. A short MCS survey confirms the fit — no commitment to install.

Good fit

Old gas/oil/LPG boiler

Replacing a 12+ year old boiler is the natural switch point. The £7,500 grant changes the maths — heat pump may cost less than a like-for-like boiler swap.

Good fit

Reasonable insulation

EPC C or D, loft insulated, cavity walls filled if applicable. Doesn't need to be perfect — modern heat pumps handle EPC D fine.

Good fit

Outdoor space at side or rear

Need ~1 m² for the outdoor unit, ideally not facing the front of the house. Permitted development covers most installs without planning permission.

Strong fit

Off mains gas

Oil, LPG and electric heating run far more expensively than gas. Heat pump payback in these homes can be 4–7 years vs 10–14 years for gas swaps.

Possible — needs survey

Listed building / conservation area

Possible, but you'll likely need planning consent. Allow extra time and budget for a sympathetic install — siting and acoustic enclosures matter.

Possible — needs survey

Microbore pipework / single-pane

Heat pumps run cooler water through radiators than boilers. Microbore pipework, very small radiators, or single-glazed windows may need attention first.

Not sure?An MCS-certified installer's heat loss survey takes ~60 minutes and tells you whether the fit is straightforward, needs a few upgrades first, or isn't the right choice. Most surveys are free and there's no obligation.

Why act now

Why UK homeowners are switching

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme runs to 2028, energy prices remain volatile, and modern heat pumps work fine in British winters.

£0

max BUS grant for an air source heat pump in England & Wales

0+

UK heat pumps installed under the BUS scheme to date

0 sec

to be matched with up to three local MCS-certified installers

0+ yrs

typical heat pump lifespan vs. 10–15 years for a gas boiler

How it works

Three steps to a clear answer

No obligation, no pushy follow-ups, no fees from us — ever.

1

Free home survey

An MCS-certified installer visits to measure heat loss, check radiators, hot water cylinder space and existing pipework. Most surveys are free; complex retrofit cases sometimes require a paid heat-loss calculation, which the installer will quote upfront.

2

Written quote + grant

You receive a written, itemised quote — equipment, install labour, electrical work, commissioning, MCS certificate. The £7,500 BUS grant (England/Wales) is applied at the quote stage and paid by the installer to Ofgem on your behalf.

3

You decide — no pressure

Compare up to three quotes, ask questions, sleep on it. If you proceed, install typically takes 2–5 days depending on the size of the property and whether radiators need upgrading.

Common questions

Air source heat pump FAQs

Installed costs typically run £8,000 to £14,000 before grant for a normal home. Detached or larger properties can reach £16,000. After the £7,500 BUS grant in England & Wales, most homeowners pay £500–£8,500. Scotland's Home Energy Scotland scheme offers up to £15,000 in combined grant + interest-free loan, often making the heat pump cheaper than a like-for-like boiler replacement.

Verify any installer's MCS certification at mcscertified.com.

Ready to take a look?

Get matched with MCS-certified installers in your area

The £7,500 BUS grant runs to 2028 — there's no rush, but waiting another year on an old gas, oil or LPG boiler costs you running-cost savings every month. A free survey tells you whether the fit is straightforward, with zero commitment.

Get free quotes →BUS scheme on GOV.UK ↗

Educational content — not a substitute for an MCS-certified survey.

Authoritative sources cited

Statistics and figures on this site are derived from these sources unless otherwise stated. Errors? We correct promptly — see our corrections policy.

Continue your research

More UK heat pump resources

Sister sites we operate, each focused on a different decision step.

busgrant.uk

Check your £7,500 grant eligibility

BUS grant explainer

ashpcost.co.uk

How much does a heat pump cost?

Detailed cost breakdown

heatpumpvsboiler.uk

Heat pump vs gas boiler — which is right for you?

Side-by-side comparison