Ground source and air source heat pumps both move heat from outside into your home. Ground source collects it from pipes buried in your garden; air source takes it from the air. Both qualify for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
Head to head
| Air source | Ground source | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | £8,000 to £16,000 | £20,000 to £35,000+ |
| After £7,500 grant | £500 to £8,500 | £12,500 to £27,500+ |
| Typical SCOP | 3 to 4 | 3.5 to 4.5 |
| Space needed | Small outdoor unit | Large garden or borehole |
| Installation time | 2 to 4 days | 1 to 3 weeks with groundworks |
| Disruption | Low | High (digging or drilling) |
When ground source is worth it
- Large rural properties with plenty of land.
- New builds or major renovations where groundworks are happening anyway.
- Very high heat demand, where the efficiency gain adds up.
Why most homes choose air source
For a typical UK home, an air source heat pump delivers most of the efficiency at a fraction of the installation cost. With the £7,500 grant, many households pay a few thousand pounds for air source against well over £10,000 for ground source.
See our air source heat pump cost guide or check your eligibility.
Sources
Grant amounts, VAT rules and eligibility are set by government and the scheme administrators. We check them against these primary sources:
- Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (GOV.UK)
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) (Ofgem)
- Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)
New to the jargon? See the heat pump glossary, or browse the heat pump FAQs.
Written by the GetASHP team. Prices and grant details checked 23 October 2026; always confirm current figures with your installer.
