Ground Source Heat Pump Cost to Install and to Run

Written-by

Janet Richardson

Reviewed-by

Richard Burdett

Updated on

Dec 31, 2025

Ground Source Heat Pump Cost to Install and to Run

Ground-source heat pumps work by extracting heat from the ground. A well installed ground-source heat pump will be able to provide the majority, and often all, of your space heating requirements through the year in the UK, when correctly sized and installed. You may have been considering having one of these pumps installed in your home, and it can be a great option. However, it is important to remember that there can be high costs involved when it comes to the installation. The running costs however, are generally lower than traditional boilers when replacing oil, LPG, or electric heating systems.

What is a Ground Source Heat Pump?

The main feature you will find in a ground source heat pump is the pipework. There is usually tens to hundreds of metres of it, all of which is buried in loops in trenches, or in one (or multiple) vertical boreholes. Once the pipework has been buried, the surface of the disturbed ground can be returned to use for its original purpose – so a driveway, garden, or even a field that is used to grow crops. In addition to this, you would never even know the pipe was underground, so there is minimal long-term disturbance to the land. Usually, antifreeze is pumped through the piping, mixed with water, although other liquids can be used. This then absorbs the warmth that can be found in the ground.

A compressor that is located in the main unit of the heat pump raises the temperature of the fluid before a heat exchanger transfers the warmth to a separate body of water. This then circulates around the central heating system. The water, now cooled, is then pumped back out to the buried piping, and the cycle restarts, repeating itself constantly to keep your home warm. The ground source heat pump does still generate carbon emissions, however, because the entire system uses electricity as a source of power and emissions depend on the electricity source.

Although, the emissions produced are less than those associated with conventional forms of heating. It is also possible to connect it to a renewable source of energy, such as solar PV or a renewable electricity tariff, to produce power.

The Cost of a Ground Source Heat Pump in the UK

When you install and run a ground source heat pump, you can expect it to cost around £800 per year to run and around £18,000 - £35,000 to have installed. However, the prices do tend to vary depending on the size of the installation as well as any additional work that may be required. When it comes to figuring out how much you will save, the type of fuel that you will be replacing plays a huge role. The table below demonstrates this and is based on four-bedroom detached house using average running costs of the various boiler alternatives. 

The payback period can also be difficult to predict, especially as it is so dependent on things like the fuel you will be replacing as well as the size of the home that you will be using the system for. On top of this, it also depends on whether or not you qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (currently £7,500 in England and Wales) and how you will be using the heat. 

Maintenance

The great thing about ground source heat pumps is that the maintenance is actually incredibly minimal. The system is closed and airtight, so it is tightly sealed, hence the need for very little maintenance. However, an annual service and general check of the pump is strongly advised, just to make sure that everything is in working order and to maintain manufacturer warranty. You should always ask your installer to show you how to adjust the controls and features while they are setting it up, as well as provide you with a manual. This means that you won’t need to call them out if you get stuck and you will have better control of the system.

The heat pump lasts for around 20 - 25 years on average, and the ground collectors have an expected lifespan of 50 - 100 years – which is impressive. However, if something does go wrong at any point, make sure you call out an engineer that has an F-Gas certification (where applicable). This way you are guaranteed someone who knows what they are doing and understands the system.

Want to Know More?

Have you found yourself interested in ground source heat pumps? If you want to know more then simply give us a ring using the number at the top of this page and have a chat.