Thinking about a ground source heat pump but not sure how much it really costs in the UK?
This guide explains it in simple language.
We'll cover:
- What a ground source heat pump actually is
- Typical prices in the UK in 2026
- Borehole vs horizontal trench costs
- Extra costs people forget about
- Running costs compared to gas and air source heat pumps
- How the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme works for ground source
- When a ground source system is worth it – and when air source is better
At the end, you can also check your options and get quotes from vetted MCS installers.
1. What is a Ground Source Heat Pump? (Quick Explanation)
A ground source heat pump (GSHP) is a low-carbon heating system.
Very simple version:
- Pipes go into the ground (in a loop)
- A liquid runs through the pipes and picks up heat from the earth
- The heat pump unit in your home boosts that heat and sends it to your radiators, or your underfloor heating, and your hot water cylinder
The ground stays at a fairly steady temperature all year, so these systems can be very efficient – especially on larger homes and rural properties.
Two Ways to Collect Heat
You can collect heat in two main ways:
Horizontal Trenches
Pipes laid in long shallow trenches across your garden
Vertical Boreholes
Deep narrow holes drilled straight down
Both do the same job. The big difference is cost and space, which we'll cover next.
2. How Much Does a Ground Source Heat Pump Cost in the UK?
These are typical 2026 UK price ranges for a full ground source system (supply + install), based on common homes:
Typical Total System Cost (Before Any Grant)
Small / well-insulated home
£15,000 – £22,000
Average 3–4 bed UK home
£18,000 – £30,000
Large / complex home or multiple boreholes
£25,000 – £40,000+
These are not exact quotes, just realistic ranges we see from MCS installers.
Cost Breakdown
| Cost Item | Typical Range (UK 2026) |
|---|---|
| Ground source heat pump unit + controls | £6,000 – £10,000 |
| Ground loop – horizontal trenches | £4,000 – £10,000 |
| Ground loop – vertical boreholes | £8,000 – £18,000+ |
| Buffer tank / hot water cylinder | £1,500 – £3,000 |
| Installation labour & commissioning | £3,000 – £6,000 |
| Electrics & upgrades (if needed) | £500 – £2,000+ |
| Typical total (horizontal) | £15,000 – £25,000 |
| Typical total (boreholes) | £20,000 – £35,000+ |
Most normal UK homes land somewhere between £18,000 and £30,000 before any grant.
If you want a deeper cost breakdown for air source systems too, you can read our air source heat pump cost guide and compare numbers side by side.
3. Boreholes vs Horizontal Trenches (Big Cost Difference)
A huge part of the price is the groundworks – what happens outside your house.
Horizontal Trenches
- Long trenches (around 1–2 metres deep) dug in your garden
- Pipes laid in loops and then covered back over
- You need quite a bit of land
- Cheaper than boreholes if you have the space
Typical extra cost:
£4,000 – £10,000
Depending on: Length of pipe • Ground conditions • Access for machinery
Vertical Boreholes
- Deep narrow holes drilled straight down into the ground
- Great for homes with small gardens or tight sites
- Needs specialist drilling rigs
- Much more expensive than trenches
Typical extra cost:
£8,000 – £18,000+
Depending on: Number of boreholes • Depth (e.g. 100m+ each) • Local ground type
Very Simple Rule of Thumb:
- Big garden, plenty of space → horizontal trenches often cheaper
- Small garden, not much space → boreholes, but higher upfront cost
4. Extra Costs People Forget About
When you look at ground source heat pump cost, don't just think about the pump itself. There are common extras.
a) Radiator Upgrades
Ground source systems run at lower water temperatures than gas boilers. Old small radiators may not give enough heat. Many homes need bigger radiators in some rooms.
Typical extra spend: £1,000 – £4,000+ depending on house size
b) Underfloor Heating
Ground source works brilliantly with underfloor heating because it uses low-temperature water. Underfloor downstairs, radiators upstairs is a common setup.
Retrofitting underfloor can add: £3,000 – £8,000+
c) Hot Water Cylinder and Buffer Tank
If you have a combi boiler now, you will usually need a new hot water cylinder, and sometimes a small buffer tank for the heating circuit.
Rough cost: £1,500 – £3,000 including install
d) Electrical Upgrades
Some homes need consumer unit upgrades, new electrical runs for the heat pump, or sometimes a new supply from the grid (rare, but possible on larger systems).
Cost range: £500 – £2,000+ for more complex jobs
e) Making Good the Garden
After trenches or boreholes, the ground will need leveling, maybe re-turfing or re-seeding, and patios or paths made good.
Note: Installers sometimes include this, sometimes not. Always check your quote.
5. Running Costs: Ground Source vs Gas vs Air Source
Ground source systems are usually very efficient, especially on well-insulated homes with underfloor heating.
Typical Efficiency (Simplified)
(2.5–3.5 units of heat per 1 unit of electricity)
(especially in good setups)
This means: For every 1 kWh of electricity, a good ground source system can deliver 3–4 kWh of heat. So even though electricity is more expensive per unit than gas, the system uses fewer units overall.
When Ground Source Can Beat Air Source on Running Costs
Ground source can give lower bills than air source when:
- The home is well insulated
- There is underfloor heating or big radiators
- The design and installation are done properly
- You're on a good electricity tariff
But remember:
- •Ground source is more expensive to install
- •Air source has cheaper upfront costs and is easier in normal homes
If you mainly just want lower bills and don't have a big garden or land, many people find air source a better cost-to-benefit balance.
6. Does the £7,500 Grant Cover Ground Source Heat Pumps?
Yes.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) in England and Wales gives £7,500 towards a ground source heat pump, and £7,500 towards an air source heat pump.
Key Points:
- You must own the property (home or small business)
- You must be replacing a fossil fuel boiler (gas, oil, LPG, direct electric)
- The system and installer must both be MCS-certified
- The grant is paid to the installer, and they take it off your bill
Example Calculation
You can use our 90-second eligibility checker to quickly see if you might qualify.
7. Is a Ground Source Heat Pump Worth It?
It depends on your home, your budget, and how long you plan to stay there.
When Ground Source Makes Sense ✓
- You have plenty of land (big garden, fields, or space for trenches)
- Or you're happy to pay more for boreholes
- You plan to stay in the home for a long time (10+ years)
- You want the lowest running costs you can get from a heat pump
- You're off the gas grid (oil, LPG, electric heating now)
- You're already planning underfloor heating or a big renovation
When Air Source Is Usually Better
- You live in a typical UK semi or terrace with a normal-size garden
- You don't want to dig up lots of land or drill boreholes
- Your budget is more in the £8,000–£15,000 range before the grant
- You want something quicker and simpler to install
Our recommendation:
"If you're not sure whether ground source or air source is better for your home, start with air source. It's cheaper to install and works well for most normal UK homes."
8. Quick Pros and Cons Summary
Ground Source Heat Pump – Pros
- +Very high efficiency, especially with underfloor heating
- +Stable performance all year round
- +Can give lower running costs than air source in the right home
- +Neat and quiet – no big fan unit outside the house
Ground Source Heat Pump – Cons
- −Much higher upfront cost than air source
- −Needs land or expensive boreholes
- −More disruptive installation (digging, drilling)
- −Not needed for many normal homes where air source works well
9. Not Sure Which Heat Pump to Choose?
If you're reading this and thinking:
"I like the idea of a ground source heat pump, but I'm not sure if it's right for my house…"
That's normal.
Most UK homeowners don't know if they should choose:
- • Gas boiler replacement
- • Air source heat pump
- • Ground source heat pump
You don't need to decide alone.
You can:
Use a free 90-second checker to see:
- • If you're likely to get the £7,500 grant
- • Whether air source or ground source is more realistic for your home
Get free quotes from vetted, MCS-certified installers and heating engineers who can:
- • Look at your home
- • Explain options
- • Give you clear prices
10. Next Step: Check Your Options and Get Quotes
If you're thinking about a ground source heat pump in the UK, the best next step is simple:
Check your grant eligibility (takes about 90 seconds)
Tell us about your home (10 easy questions)
Get free quotes from vetted MCS installers and heating engineers
You can then:
- Compare ground source and air source options
- See real prices for your home
- Decide if the extra cost of ground source is worth it, or if air source makes more sense
You stay in control. No pushy sales calls. No pressure. Just clear numbers and simple explanations so you can choose what's right for you and your home.