Ground Source Heat Pump Costs
How much does a ground source heat pump cost?
The cost of a ground source heat pump starts at £3,510 for the Kensa Shoebox. Project costs vary depending on factors such as the scale of the installation, available land area and how energy efficient the property is. As well as the unit itself, there is also the cost of groundwork and installation.
An income from the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) soon makes it worth it. Not to mention the money you save from the low-running-cost and low-maintenance heat pump, which requires no annual servicing.
How much will a heat pump cost for my project?
To discover the cost of a heat pump, choose the example that best resembles your project.
Example heat pump cost for a commercial building
These costs are based on the installation of ground source heat pumps in a single commercial property. The project could cost from £91,500 and earn £425,000 through the Non-Domestic RHI.
| Type of system | 3 x 45 kW Plant Room heat pumps in a cascaded system | Vs. LPG boiler |
| Type of ground array | Slinkies (common) 1 | Pond mats (near water) 2 | Boreholes (limited land)3
| - |
| Land area required | 6,000 sq/m | 6,000 sq/m of lake | 2,000 sq/m | - |
| Appliance & infrastructure costs* | £101,000 | £91,500 | £224,000 | £7,000 |
| Non-Domestic RHI income (over 20 years)** | £425,000 | £425,000 | £425,000 | Not eligible |
| Running costs (over 20 years)*** | £375,000 | £375,000 | £375,000 | £500,000 |
| Servicing costs (over 20 years)**** | £0 | £0 | £0 | £2,000 |
| Total net cost (after 20 years)***** | £51,000 | £41,500 | £174,000 | £509,000 |
Carbon & lifetime savings
| Type of system | 3 x 45 kW Plant Room heat pumps in a cascaded system | Vs. LPG boiler |
| Type of ground array | Slinkies / pond mats / boreholes | - |
| Lifetime expectancy: Appliance | Up to 20 years | Up to 10 years |
| Lifetime expectancy: Infrastructure | Up to 100 years | - |
| Carbon saved (over 20 years) | 800 tonnes | 0 tonnes |
| Local NOx emissions****** | 0kg NOx/y | 12.09kg NOx/y |
Design conditions, schematics & small print
1. Slinkies
Total heat pump capacity: 120kW
Design conditions: 0/50°C
Potable DHW temp: Space heating only
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Slinkies required: x24 plus header pipework
Example slinkies schematic
2. Pond mats
Total heat pump capacity: 120kW
Design conditions: 0/50°C
Potable DHW temp: Space heating only
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Pond mats required: x24 plus header pipework
Example pond mat schematic
3. Boreholes
Total heat pump capacity: 120kW
Design conditions: 0/50°C
Potable DHW temp: Space heating only
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Boreholes required: 2700mtrs (boreholes based on average ground conductivity)
Example borehole schematic
*Costs are for the supply and installation of the Kensa heat pump and ground array only, and the supply and installation of the LPG boiler equipment only. Costs for supply and installation of internals such as radiators, underfloor and heating controls are not included, please speak to your plumbing contractor.
**The NON-DOMESTIC RHI is a 20 year index linked funding stream which assumes inflation at 3%.
APPLICATION CLOSES 31ST MARCH 2021.***Based on electric at 15p/kW/hr and COP of 3. Based on LPG at 40p a litre and 85% efficiency
****Ground source heat pumps have no requirement for annual maintenance. However, it is good practice for the heating distribution system to be proactively checked and maintained to ensure optimum performance.
*****Net cost for LPG does not include an additional LPG boiler, which will likely need to be factored in during the 20 year comparison period due to the LPG’s 10 year average lifetime expectancy.
******NOx emissions based on 56mg/Kwh for gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) boilers (1800 run hours)
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Example heat pump cost for a self-build or renovation
Single domestic property
These costs are based on installing a single ground source heat pump into a home. The project could cost from £15,250 and earn £26,000 through the Domestic RHI.
| Type of system | 13 kW Evo ground source heat pump | Vs. LPG boiler |
| Type of ground array | Slinkies (common) 1 | Pond mats (near water)2 | Boreholes (limited land)3
| - |
| Land area required | 1,000 sq/m | 1,000 sq/m of lake | 200 sq/m | - |
| Appliance & infrastructure costs* | £16,000 | £15,250 | £28,500 | £1,500 |
| Domestic RHI income (over 7 years)** | £26,000 | £26,000 | £26,000 | Not eligible |
| Running costs (over 7 years)*** | £10,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 | £15,000 |
| Servicing costs (over 7 years)**** | £0 | £0 | £0 | £700 |
| Total net cost (after 7 years)***** | £0 | £750 profit | £12,500 cost | £17,200 cost |
Carbon & lifetime savings
| Type of system | 13 kW Evo ground source heat pump | Vs. LPG boiler |
| Type of ground array | Slinkies / pond mats / boreholes | - |
| Lifetime expectancy: Appliance | Up to 20 years | Up to 10 years |
| Lifetime expectancy: Infrastructure | Up to 100 years | - |
| Carbon saved (over 7 years) | 28 tonnes | 0 tonnes |
| Local NOx emissions****** | 0kg NOx/y | 1.31kg NOx/y |
Design conditions, schematics & small print
1. Slinkies
Total heat pump capacity:13KW
Design conditions: 0/40°C
Potable DHW temp: 60°C
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Slinkies required: X4
Example slinkies schematic
2. Pond mats
Total heat pump capacity: 13kW
Design conditions: 0/40°C
Potable DHW temp: 60°C
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Pond mats required: x4
Example pond mat schematic
3. Boreholes
Total heat pump capacity: 13kW
Design conditions: 0/40°C
Potable DHW temp: 60°C
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Boreholes required*: 360mtrs
*Boreholes based on average ground conductivity
Example borehole schematic
*Costs are for the supply and installation of the Kensa heat pump and ground array only, and the supply and installation of the LPG boiler equipment only. Costs for supply and installation of internals such as radiators, underfloor and heating controls are not included, please speak to your plumbing contractor.
**The DOMESTIC RHI is a 7 year index linked funding stream which assumes inflation at 3%
***Based on electric at 15p/kW/hr and COP of 3. Based on LPG at 40p a litre and 85% efficiency
****Ground source heat pumps have no requirement for annual maintenance. However, it is good practice for the heating distribution system to be proactively checked and maintained to ensure optimum performance.
*****Net cost for LPG does not include an additional LPG boiler, which will likely need to be factored in during the 20 year comparison period due to the LPG’s 10 year average lifetime expectancy.
******NOx emissions based on 56mg/Kwh for gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) boilers (1800 run hours)
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Heat pump cost calculator
Planning a project involving a single domestic heat pump? Use our calculator to see how much you could make and save in RHI and running costs.
Example heat pump cost for a small new-build housing development
Four houses
These costs are based on the installation of ground source heat pumps with Shared Ground Loop Arrays in a development of four luxury houses. The project could cost from £58,000 and earn £185,000 through the Non-Domestic RHI.
| Type of system | 4 x 13kW Evo heat pumps | Vs. LPG boiler |
| Type of ground array | Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes (common)1 | Shared Ground Loop Array of pond mats (near water)2 | Shared Ground Loop Array of slinkies (if enough land)3 | - |
| Land area required | 600-900sq/m | 3,500 sq/m of lake | 3,500 sq/m | - |
| Appliance & infrastructure costs* | £92,000 | £58,000 | £64,000 | £15,000 |
| Non-Domestic RHI income (over 20 years)** | £185,000 | £185,000 | £185,000 | Not eligible |
| Running costs (over 20 years)*** | £125,000 | £125,000 | £125,000 | £187,500 |
| Servicing costs (over 20 years)**** | £0 | £0 | £0 | £2,000 |
| Total net cost (after 20 years)***** | £32,000 cost | £2,000 profit | £4,000 cost | £204,500 cost |
Lifetime & environmental savings
| Type of system | 4 x 13 kW Evo heat pumps | Vs. LPG boiler |
| Type of ground array | Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes / pond mats / slinkies | - |
| Lifetime expectancy: Appliance | Up to 20 years | Up to 10 years |
| Lifetime expectancy: Infrastructure | Up to 100 years | - |
| Carbon saved (over 20 years) | 300 tonnes | 0 tonnes |
| Local NOx emissions****** | 0kg NOx/y | 5.24kg NOx/y |
Design conditions, schematics & small print
1. Boreholes
Total heat pump capacity: 52kW
Design conditions: 0/40°C
Potable DHW temp: 60°C
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Boreholes required: 1200 mtrs (boreholes based on average ground conductivity)
Example borehole schematic
2. pOND MATS
Total heat pump capacity: 52kW
Design conditions: 0/40°C
Potable DHW temp: 60°C
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Pond mats required: 14
Example pond mat schematic
3. Slinkies
Total heat pump capacity: 52kW
Design conditions: 0/40°C
Potable DHW temp: 60°C
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Slinkies required: 14
Example slinkies schematic
*Costs are for the supply and installation of the Kensa heat pump and ground array only, and the supply and installation of the LPG boiler equipment only. Costs for supply and installation of internals such as radiators, underfloor and heating controls are not included, please speak to your plumbing contractor.
**The NON-DOMESTIC RHI is a 20 year index linked funding stream which assumes inflation at 3%.
APPLICATION CLOSES 31ST MARCH 2021.***Based on electric at 15p/kW/hr and COP of 3. Based on LPG at 40p a litre and 85% efficiency
****Ground source heat pumps have no requirement for annual maintenance. However, it is good practice for the heating distribution system to be proactively checked and maintained to ensure optimum performance.
*****Net cost for LPG does not include an additional LPG boiler, which will likely need to be factored in during the 20 year comparison period due to the LPG’s 10 year average lifetime expectancy.
******NOx emissions based on 56mg/Kwh for gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) boilers (1800 run hours)
See more examples on Kensa Contracting
Example heat pump cost for a medium new-build housing development
85 new-build properties
These costs are based on installing ground source heat pumps in 85 new-build properties. A Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes could cost £606,960 and earn £962,582 through the Non-Domestic RHI.
| Type of system | 50 x 3kW & 35 x 6kW Shoebox heat pumps | Vs. Gas combi boiler |
| Type of ground array | Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes1 | - |
| Land area required | Average of 18sq/m per property | - |
| Appliance & infrastructure cost* | £606,960 | £323,000 |
| Non-Domestic RHI income (over 20 years)** | £962,582 | Not eligible |
| Running cost savings vs. gas (over 20 years)*** | £31,509 | - |
| Servicing costs per property (over 20 years)**** | £2,000 | £2,000 |
| Total net cost (after 20 years)***** | £353,622 profit | £325,000 cost |
Carbon & lifetime savings
| Type of system | 50 x 3kW & 35 x 6kW Shoebox heat pumps | Vs. Gas combi boiler |
| Type of ground array | Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes | - |
| Lifetime expectancy: Appliance | Up to 20 years | Up to 10 years |
| Lifetime expectancy: Infrastructure | Up to 100 years | Up to 100 years |
| Carbon saved vs. gas (over 20 years)****** | 1,129 tonnes | - |
| Local NOx emissions saved vs. gas******* | 18.2 kgNOx/y | - |
Design conditions & small print
1. Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes
Total heat pump capacity: 181.26 kW
Design conditions: 0/45°C
Potable DHW temp: 60°C
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Total depth of boreholes: 4,384 mtrs (boreholes based on average ground conductivity)
*Costs are for the design, supply and installation of the ground array and supply only of the ground source heat pump, cylinder, and antifreeze, to be installed by M&E contractor. Tenant network connection fee applies.
**The Non-Domestic RHI is a 20 year index linked funding stream which assumes inflation at 3%.
APPLICATION CLOSES 31ST MARCH 2021.
***Based on gas at 4.9p a unit and 80% efficiency.
****Ground source heat pumps have no requirement for annual maintenance. However, it is good practice for the heating distribution system to be proactively checked and maintained to ensure optimum performance G3 Cylinder check will be requried.
*****Net cost does not include servicing and running costs. Net cost for gas does not include an additional gas boiler, which will likely need to be factored in during the 20 year comparison period due to a gas boiler’s 10 year average lifetime expectancy.
******Carbon saving based on carbon emissions of 0.519kgCO2/kWh for electric and 0.216kgCO2/kWh for gas. Assumes 80% efficiency for gas and 300% efficiency for ground source heat pumps.
*******NOx emission based on 44mg per kWh based on a worcester greenstar combi.
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Example heat pump cost for social housing retrofits
Retrofit installations in 60 flats
These costs are based on retrofit installations in 60 social housing flats, where old heating and hot water systems are replaced with ground source heat pumps. A Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes could cost £698,500 and earn £931,134 through the Non-Domestic RHI.
| Type of system | 30 x 3kW Shoebox & 30 x 6kW Shoebox heat pumps
| Vs. Electric night storage heater |
| Type of ground array | Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes1 | - |
| Land area required | Average of 18sq/m per property | - |
| Appliance, infrastructure & project management cost^ | £698,500 | £189,000
|
| Non-Domestic RHI income (over 20 years)* | £931,134 | Not eligible |
| ECO funding | £53,805 | Not eligible |
| Running cost savings vs. electric NSH (over 20 years)** | £484,045 | - |
| Servicing costs per property (over 20 years)*** | £2,000 | £2,000 |
| Total net cost (after 20 years)**** | £284,439 profit | £191,000 cost |
Carbon & lifetime savings
| Type of system | 30 x 3kW & 30 x 6kW Shoebox heat pumps | Vs. Electric night storage heater (NSH) |
| Type of ground array | Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes | - |
| Lifetime expectancy: Appliance | Up to 20 years | Up to 10 years |
| Lifetime expectancy: Infrastructure | Up to 100 years | - |
Carbon saved
vs. NSH (over 20 years)***** | 5,381 tonnes | - |
| Local NOx emissions saved****** | 19.6 kgNOx/y | 19.6 kgNOx/y |
Retrofit design conditions & small print
1. Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes
Total heat pump capacity: 191.56 kW
Design conditions: 0/50°C
Potable DHW temp: 60°C
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Boreholes required: 3,853 mtrs (boreholes based on average ground conductivity)
*The Non-Domestic RHI is a 20 year index linked funding stream which assumes inflation at 3%.
APPLICATION CLOSES 31ST MARCH 2021.
**Based on electric at 15p/kW/hr and COP of 3.
***Ground source heat pumps have no requirement for annual maintenance. However, it is good practice for the heating distribution system to be proactively checked and maintained to ensure optimum performance G3 Cylinder check will be requried.
****Net cost does not include servicing and running costs. net cost for gas does not include an additional gas boiler, which will likely need to be factored in during the 20 year comparison period due to a gas boiler’s 10 year average lifetime expectancy.
*****Carbon saving based on carbon emissions of 0.519kgCO2/kWh for electric.
******NOx emission based on 44mg per kWh based on a worcester greenstar combi.
^ Retrofit costs include internal fit out i.e. new radiator systems. Tenant network connection fee applies.
Get a quote from Kensa Contracting
Example heat pump cost for holiday accommodation
103 holiday lodges
These costs are based on installing ground source heat pumps in 103 holiday lodges. A Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes could cost £1,200,000 and earn £2,250,000 through the Non-Domestic RHI.
| Type of system | 103 x Shoebox & Evo heat pumps | Vs. LPG boiler |
| Type of ground array | Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes1 | - |
| Land area required | Groups of lodges fed by clusters of boreholes | - |
| Appliance & infrastructure costs* | £1,200,000 | £100,000 |
| Non-Domestic RHI income (over 20 years)** | £2,250,000 | Not eligible |
| Running costs (over 20 years)*** | £2,000,000 | £2,450,000 |
| Servicing costs (over 20 years)**** | £0 | £2,000 |
| Total net cost (after 20 years)***** | £950,000 | £2,552,000 |
Four holiday lodges
These costs are based on installing ground source heat pumps in four holiday lodges. The project could cost from £58,000 and earn £185,000 through the Non-Domestic RHI.
| Type of system | 4 x 13kW Evo heat pumps | Vs. LPG boiler |
| Type of ground array | Shared Ground Loop Array of pond mats2 | Shared Ground Loop Array of slinkies3 | - |
| Land area required | 3,500 sq/m of lake | 3,500 sq/m | - |
| Appliance & infrastructure costs* | £58,000 | £64,000 | £15,000 |
| Non-Domestic RHI income (over 20 years)** | £185,000 | £185,000 | Not eligible |
| Running costs (over 20 years)*** | £125,000 | £125,000 | £187,500 |
| Servicing costs (over 20 years)**** | £0 | £0 | £2,000 |
| Total net cost (after 20 years)***** | £2,000 profit | £4,000 cost | £204,500 cost |
Carbon & lifetime savings
103 holiday lodges
| Type of system | 103 x Shoebox & Evo heat pumps | Vs. LPG boiler |
| Type of ground array | Shared Ground Loop Array of boreholes1 | - |
| Lifetime expectancy: Appliance | Up to 20 years | Up to 10 years |
| Lifetime expectancy: Infrastructure | Up to 100 years | - |
| Carbon saved (over 20 years) | 5,000,000 tonnes | 0 tonnes |
| Local NOx emissions****** | 0kg NOx/y | 51.91kg NOx/y |
Four holiday lodges
| Type of system | 4 x 13 kW Evo heat pumps | Vs. LPG boiler |
| Type of ground array | Shared Ground Loop Array of pond mats / slinkies | - |
| Lifetime expectancy: Appliance | Up to 20 years | Up to 10 years |
| Lifetime expectancy: Infrastructure | Up to 100 years | - |
| Carbon saved (over 20 years) | 300 tonnes | 0 tonnes |
| Local NOx emissions****** | 0kg NOx/y | 5.24kg NOx/y |
Design conditions, schematics & small print
1. Boreholes
Total heat pump capacity: 515kW
Design conditions: 0/40°C
Potable DHW temp: 60°C
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Boreholes required: 15,000 mtrs (boreholes based on average ground conductivity)
2. Pond mats
Total heat pump capacity: 52kW
Design conditions: 0/40°C
Potable DHW temp: 60°C
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Pond mats required: 14
Example pond mat schematic
3. Slinkies
Total heat pump capacity: 52kW
Design conditions: 0/40°C
Potable DHW temp: 60°C
Integral immersion heaters: No (DNO friendly)
Slinkies required:14
Example slinkies schematic
*Costs are for the supply and installation of the Kensa heat pump and ground array only, and the supply and installation of the LPG boiler equipment only. Costs for supply and installation of internals such as radiators, underfloor and heating controls are not included, please speak to your plumbing contractor.
**The NON-DOMESTIC RHI is a 20 year index linked funding stream which assumes inflation at 3%.
APPLICATION CLOSES 31ST MARCH 2021.
***Based on electric at 15p/kW/hr and COP of 3. Based on LPG at 40p a litre and 85% efficiency.
****Ground source heat pumps have no requirement for annual maintenance. However, it is good practice for the heating distribution system to be proactively checked and maintained to ensure optimum performance.
*****Net cost for LPG does not include an additional LPG boiler, which will likely need to be factored in during the 20 year comparison period due to the LPG’s 10 year average lifetime expectancy.
******NOx emissions based on 56mg/Kwh for gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) boilers (1800 run hours)
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Calculator small print
† Estimated, for guidance purposes only.
†† Deemed, based on estimated EPC figure and assumed heating system Star Rating. For indicative purposes only. Consult an MCS installer for a confirmed figure. Figures shown reflect the 30,000kWh RHI cap.
*Assumes 5% annual fuel price inflation.
**Assumes 2.5% CPI inflation. Energy costs are based on figures provided by Nottingham Energy Partnership (NEP). Electricity costs are not provided by NEP but are based on an average of the Big Six electricity companies for a property based in Sheffield. Off peak electric heating are derived from SSE Off Peak tariff data.
