Ground Source Heat Pump Cost Calculator

Ground source heat pump systems cost between £14,000-£35,000 depending on property size and system type. Horizontal ground loops are cheaper (£14,000-£20,000) but need large gardens. Vertical boreholes cost more (£20,000-£35,000) but need minimal space. After the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, typical costs are £6,500-£27,500. The higher upfront cost is offset by lower running costs and 25+ year lifespan.

Ground source heat pumps can save £900-£1,600 per year compared to gas boilers, with typical payback periods of 8-15 years. They have 25+ year lifespans, minimal maintenance costs (£100-£150 annually), and provide both heating and cooling. The £7,500 BUS grant significantly improves ROI. Best suited for properties with good insulation, suitable land, and long-term ownership plans. Most cost-effective when replacing oil, LPG, or electric heating.

Most UK homes need 6-12kW ground source heat pumps. A 3-bedroom semi-detached house typically needs 8-10kW. Property size, insulation quality, and heat loss calculations determine the exact size. Professional MCS installers conduct detailed surveys to specify the correct system. Undersizing causes inadequate heating; oversizing increases costs and reduces efficiency. Better insulation reduces required capacity and running costs.

Horizontal ground loops need 150-250m² of land (approximately 1.5-2.5 times the heated floor area). For a typical 100m² house, you'd need about 200m² of garden. Vertical boreholes only need 5-10m² but cost £10,000-£18,000 more. The land must be accessible for installation machinery and free from tree roots or underground services. You can use the land above horizontal loops normally (lawn, garden) but avoid building or planting trees. Shared ground loops between multiple properties are possible.

Typical running costs are £700-£1,200 per year for a 3-bedroom house, compared to £1,600-£2,200 for gas boilers. Actual costs depend on property size, insulation, and electricity prices. Ground source heat pumps have 380-420% efficiency (SCOP 3.8-4.2), producing 4kW of heat for every 1kW of electricity. More efficient than air source (SCOP 2.8-3.5) due to stable ground temperatures. Maintenance costs £100-£150 annually. Consider economy electricity tariffs (e.g., Octopus Cosy) to reduce costs further.

Horizontal systems take 1-2 weeks total (2-3 days groundworks, 3-5 days installation). Vertical borehole systems take 2-3 weeks (5-7 days drilling, 3-5 days installation). Process includes: site survey, ground loop installation, heat pump fitting, internal pipework, commissioning, and testing. Work is typically done in phases to minimize disruption. Best installed in spring/summer when ground conditions are favorable. Planning permission rarely needed, but check with local authority. MCS certification ensures quality.