Air-to-air heat pumps

An air-to-air heat pump can be an excellent way to efficiently heat and cool the air inside your home, provided you already have access to hot water and there is sufficient space for an outdoor unit.

BOXT can install an A++-rated air-to-air heat pump from £2,199.

An air-to-air heat pump may be worth the investment if you’re looking to lower your annual energy usage, heating bills, and carbon footprint. However, they can have higher upfront costs and may provide reduced efficiency in extremely cold climates.

They require an up-front investment, can lead to higher annual electricity bills, and need sufficient outdoor space for the external unit.

Yes, the government is currently offering a £2,500 discount on the cost of installing an air-to-air heat pump under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).

This depends on the size, type, and efficiency of your unit, as well as your electricity tariff. The Bosch Climate 3200i 2.6kW can run from as little as 26p per hour on cooling mode, and 28p per hour on heating mode.*

*Based on July 2025 Energy Price Cap unit rates

Air-to-air heat pumps are usually classed as permitted development and generally do not require planning permission, unless they’re installed in a conservation area, a block of flats, or a listed building. If you wish to install more than one outdoor unit, you will need to consult with your local planning authority.

While they are both heat pumps, an air-to-air system extracts heat from the outside air and delivers it inside as warm or cool air through an air conditioning system. Whereas an air-source heat pump produces hot water for taps, plumbed-in radiators and underfloor heating.