Heat Pump Costs and Grants in Bristol
Everything about the money in one place: what Bristol homes typically pay, what the grants take off, what it costs to run at autumn 2026 prices, and where to read more.
Last reviewed: 2 October 2026
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£7,500 off
the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for an air source heat pump, with no means test. £9,000 for homes replacing oil or LPG.
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£500–£6,500 to pay
what most Bristol households contribute after the grant, depending mainly on radiators, cylinder and access.
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Mild winters help
Filton averages only about 33 frost days a year, so Bristol heat pumps spend most of the winter running efficiently.
What Bristol homes typically pay
The national middle price for heat pumps fitted under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in 2025/26 was £13,041, with most jobs between £8,000 and £14,000. In Bristol, the house matters more than the heat pump:
| Home | Before grant | After £7,500 grant |
|---|---|---|
| Newer house or flat with cavity insulation | £8,000–£10,500 | £500–£3,000 |
| Interwar or post-war semi (Westbury-on-Trym, Henleaze) | £9,500–£12,500 | £2,000–£5,000 |
| Victorian brick terrace (Bedminster, Bishopston) | £10,500–£13,500 | £3,000–£6,000 |
| Stone townhouse (Clifton, Cotham, Kingsdown) | £12,000–£15,000+ | £4,500–£7,500+ |
The full breakdown, including steep gardens, cylinders and hard water, is in our guide to heat pump costs in Bristol.
Grants and help with the cost
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme: £7,500 for an air source or ground source heat pump, applied for by your MCS-certified installer and taken off your bill. Open to owner-occupiers and private landlords, with no income test. Since 28 April 2026, no EPC is needed.
- Off-gas homes: £9,000 if you're replacing oil or LPG, on applications from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027. Relevant to rural parts of Long Ashton, Leigh Woods and around Thornbury.
- Warm Homes: Local Grant: free upgrades, potentially including a heat pump, for low-income households in privately owned homes rated EPC D to G. Delivered in Bristol through Bristol City Leap's Bright Green Homes project.
- 0% VAT on heat pump installation until March 2027.
ECO4 closed to new applications on 31 March 2026. Read more: the grant explained, eligibility checklist, how the application works.
Running costs at autumn 2026 prices
At the October–December 2026 price cap, electricity costs about 26p per kWh and gas about 8p. A well-designed heat pump in Bristol typically turns each unit of electricity into 3.2–3.8 units of heat. For a three-bedroom Victorian terrace needing about 12,500 kWh of heat a year:
- gas boiler: about £1,215 a year including the gas standing charge
- heat pump on a standard tariff: about £970
- heat pump on an off-peak heat pump tariff: about £660
More examples in the running cost guide, with the 15-year picture in heat pump vs gas boiler.
Does it pay back?
If your boiler needs replacing anyway, a heat pump in Bristol usually pays back within about eight years, and sometimes costs less upfront than a new gas boiler. If your boiler still works, expect roughly 5–20 years depending on the house and your tariff. Our payback guide works through both cases.
Avoiding surprises on the quote
Quotes differ mainly on radiators, cylinders, pipework, electrics and access. Ask for a room-by-room radiator list and a clear statement of what's excluded. Our hidden costs guide lists what to check.
Cost and grant questions
How much is a heat pump in Bristol after the grant?
Most households pay between £500 and £6,500 after the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. Solid-walled stone townhouses with many radiator upgrades can cost more; newer homes with good insulation often cost less.
Is the £7,500 grant means-tested?
No. Any owner-occupier or private landlord replacing fossil-fuel or electric heating with an MCS-certified installer can claim it.
Do I need an EPC for the grant?
Not any more. The EPC requirement was removed on 28 April 2026.
Can I get a heat pump for free in Bristol?
Possibly, if your household is on a low income and your home is rated EPC D to G. The Warm Homes: Local Grant is delivered in Bristol through Bristol City Leap's Bright Green Homes project.
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than gas?
Usually, by a few hundred pounds a year on a standard tariff, and by more on a heat pump tariff with cheaper off-peak electricity. Bristol's mild winters help efficiency.
Is the grant taxable?
No. It's paid to the installer and deducted from your bill; it isn't income for you.
Get a quote for your Bristol home
Tell us about your home and current heating. A local heat pump installer from our network will be in touch to arrange a survey and a written quote with the grant shown.