Heat pump costs & calculator for Scotland.
Could a heat pump cost less to run? Compare the fuel cost of delivering the same amount of heat to your home.
Illustrative example loaded — these are not current tariff quotes. Replace the figures with your own.
Your heating and energy rates
Changing heating type loads example efficiency and fuel-price figures. Enter heating and hot-water energy only; exclude cooking, lighting and appliances. Direct electric means resistance heating, not an existing heat pump.
SPF 3 means an average of 3 kWh of heat per kWh of electricity across the year. Use the installer’s whole-system estimate, including hot water and auxiliary electricity. Use VAT-inclusive rates; for time-of-use tariffs, enter a realistic usage-weighted rate.
What if the heat pump performs differently?
Same home and rates, with different seasonal efficiency assumptions. These are scenarios, not guaranteed performance.
| Seasonal performance | Heat pump fuel cost / year | Compared with current heating |
|---|---|---|
| SPF 2 | £1,275 | £555 higher |
| SPF 2.5 | £1,020 | £300 higher |
| SPF 3 | £850 | £130 higher |
| SPF 3.5 | £729 | £9 higher |
| SPF 4 | £638 | £83 lower |
How this works — and what a survey must confirm
Useful heat = annual heating fuel use × efficiency. Heat pump electricity = useful heat ÷ seasonal performance. Fuel cost = kWh × unit price ÷ 100. Rates and heat demand stay constant in this comparison.
This does not size a heat pump. Annual energy use cannot replace a room-by-room heat-loss calculation. An installer needs to assess your radiators or underfloor heating, flow temperatures, hot-water cylinder, outdoor location and electrical work. Changes in comfort, weather and heating habits can change actual demand.
Oil, LPG and biomass are not covered in this first calculator. No grant eligibility or installation price is assumed.
Energy Saving Trust: heat pump guidanceGuidance reviewed 4 October 2026. Example rates are illustrative assumptions.
How much does a heat pump cost to install in Scotland?
Home Energy Scotland currently gives £13,000 as an illustrative typical cost for an air-to-water heat pump, before funding. Its figure comes from applicant invoices from 2019–2025, with inflation adjustments to earlier years. It covers projects with different amounts of work; it is not a SunBru quote or a price for your property.
Size, pipework, cylinder and radiator changes affect the total. A survey and itemised installation quote are needed to establish your cost. Read Home Energy Scotland’s cost basis (checked 6 October 2026).
Compare the full price before deducting funding
The Home Energy Scotland scheme lists up to £7,500 grant funding for eligible heat pumps, with an optional loan separately. Eligibility, scheme conditions and available funding apply. A loan must be repaid; it does not reduce the installation price.
For illustration only, a £13,000 project less an approved £7,500 grant leaves £5,500 to fund. Neither that project price nor that grant is promised for your home. Check eligibility with Home Energy Scotland before committing, and wait for a written funding offer before starting scheme-funded work. Our Scottish funding guide explains grants, loans and other support separately.
What should I compare in two heat-pump quotes?
Use the same checklist for each proposal. A lower headline total is only useful once you know what it buys.
| Compare | Ask each installer to put in writing |
|---|---|
| Design | Room-by-room heat loss, design temperatures, selected heat pump and the reasoning behind its size. |
| Work included | Cylinder, radiators, pipework, electrical work, controls, removal of old equipment and commissioning; identify any separately priced work. |
| Running costs | Annual heat demand, expected seasonal performance and electricity rate. Compare both proposals using the same tariff assumptions. |
| Total and aftercare | Full payable price including applicable VAT, exclusions, warranty, servicing costs and who handles faults. |
Use this to prepare questions, not to approve a system design. Home Energy Scotland’s installation checklist provides further guidance. Checked 6 October 2026.
Will the running-cost saving justify the installation?
Test your own heating use and tariff above, then try a lower seasonal performance assumption. If the fuel-cost saving disappears, don’t base the purchase on that saving. The calculator excludes installation, finance, maintenance and replacement costs, so its annual difference is not a whole-project payback figure.
SunBru’s assessment enquiry is a request for a callback, not an installer booking or funding application. Final scope, availability and total price are confirmed before booking.