Question 1

How much does it cost to replace a heating system in the UK?

Accepted Answer

An air-to-water air-source heat pump — the like-for-like replacement for a whole-home central heating system — averages roughly £14,000–£15,000 supplied and installed before any grant, per Checkatrade, so our estimate adds the standard 20% VAT on top to show the headline consumer bill. A straight gas-boiler swap is much cheaper (a combi averages around £3,000 all-in), and a smaller air-to-air unit less again. Use the calculator above for a range matched to your home, system type, and efficiency tier.

Question 2

Heat pump or new boiler — which should I choose?

Accepted Answer

If your boiler has simply failed, a like-for-like gas or electric boiler is the cheapest fix — pick 'Boiler only' to price the heating unit on its own. If you're moving off fossil fuels, an air-source heat pump (the 'Whole-home heat pump' option here) costs more up front but can draw a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of up to £7,500 and runs more efficiently. Whole-home refrigerated AC is rare in the UK; choose an air conditioning split unit only if cooling a room or two is the goal.

Question 3

Which efficiency tier should I choose?

Accepted Answer

Standard efficiency is the budget choice; high-efficiency is the durable mid-grade that lowers running costs (for a heat pump, a higher SCOP; for a boiler, a higher ErP rating); premium variable-output equipment sits at the top for comfort and the deepest savings. UK homes mostly need heating rather than cooling, so prioritise the heating efficiency that suits your insulation and radiators — the calculator scales the estimate accordingly.

Item	Estimate
Outdoor unit (heat pump / condenser)	£4,800
Boiler / indoor heating unit	£1,680
Indoor coil / buffer tank & cylinder	£1,260
Refrigerant & primary pipework	£900
Installation labour	£3,900
Building Regs sign-off, disposal & commissioning	£900
Subtotal	£13,440
VAT (20%)	£2,688
Total inc. VAT	£16,128

Region	Typical range	Labor index	Permit
East Midlands	£12,284–£19,214	95%	Likely
East of England	£12,284–£19,214	95%	Likely
London	£13,289–£20,786	112%	Likely
North East	£12,284–£19,214	95%	Likely
North West	£12,343–£19,306	96%	Likely
Scotland	£12,580–£19,676	100%	Likely
South East	£12,816–£20,046	104%	Likely
South West	£13,230–£20,694	111%	Likely
Wales	£12,462–£19,491	98%	Likely
West Midlands	£12,284–£19,214	95%	Likely
Yorkshire and the Humber	£12,225–£19,121	94%	Likely

Heating & Cooling System Replacement Cost Calculator

Unit costs with sources

Regional labor adjustment

Published methodology

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Heating System Replacement Cost by region: typical ranges