If you’re installing central heating from scratch in a UK home, costs can vary quite a bit depending on the system you choose, the size of the property, and how much pipework or flooring needs changing.
As a rough guide in 2026, most homeowners are looking at around £3,500–£8,500 for a new gas boiler and radiators, while air-source heat pump systems typically start around £8,000 and can reach £15,000 or more, depending on specification.
Those figures assume supply and installation, which is how most heating engineers price full central-heating work.
Full Central Heating Installation Cost Quick Guide Prices
| System Type | Typical Property | Estimated Installed Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas boiler + radiators | 2–3 bed home | £3,500–£6,500 | Boiler, ~8 radiators, pipework, controls |
| Gas boiler + radiators | 3–4 bed home | £5,500–£8,500 | Most common full-system install range |
| Gas boiler + underfloor heating (downstairs) | 3–4 bed home | £7,000–£15,000 | Mix of UFH and radiators |
| Full underfloor heating + gas boiler | 3–4 bed home | £10,000–£20,000 | Retrofit costs depend heavily on flooring |
| Air-source heat pump + radiators | 3–4 bed home | £10,000–£13,500 | Before Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant |
| Air-source heat pump + underfloor heating | 3–4 bed home | £13,000–£30,000+ | Larger projects with floor works |
Gas Boiler and Radiators (Full Central Heating Installation)
For a typical UK house with no existing central heating system, installing a gas boiler, radiators, pipework, and controls usually lands somewhere in the mid-thousands rather than the tens of thousands.
In most 2–4 bedroom homes, a full gas central-heating installation in 2026 commonly falls between £5,500 and £8,500. Smaller properties can come in lower, while larger homes with more radiators and pipework can push beyond that.
To understand where the cost comes from, it helps to look at the main components.
A new gas boiler usually costs somewhere between £1,200 and £3,000 installed, depending on output size and brand. Radiators typically cost around £200–£350 each supplied and fitted, and most three-bed homes need around eight to ten of them.
Installing pipework throughout a house often adds £600–£1,200 or more, especially if floors need lifting. If a hot-water tank is required, that can add another £550–£750. Labour is usually spread over several days, often making up £500–£1,500 of the total cost depending on complexity.
Gas boiler systems remain popular because they’re familiar, widely supported by installers, and usually the lowest-cost way to heat a home with radiators.
Gas Boiler with Underfloor Heating
Adding wet underfloor heating changes the cost picture quite quickly. While boilers themselves don’t change much in price, underfloor pipe circuits, manifolds, and floor preparation add significant labour and materials.
For whole-house underfloor heating, many UK projects fall somewhere between £8,000 and £20,000, particularly in three- or four-bed homes. Retrofit installations tend to be more expensive than new builds because floors often need lifting or screeds replacing.
A common compromise is installing underfloor heating downstairs with radiators upstairs, which often lands between £7,000 and £15,000, depending on floor area and construction.
Underfloor heating works particularly well with modern condensing boilers because it runs at lower water temperatures, creating a comfortable, even heat while freeing up wall space normally used for radiators.
The main drawback is disruption during installation rather than running cost.
Air-Source Heat Pump with Radiators
Air-to-water heat pumps have higher upfront costs than gas systems but are becoming more common across the UK as homes move toward lower-carbon heating.
For a typical three- or four-bedroom property, a properly designed air-source heat pump system with radiators usually falls somewhere between £10,000 and £13,500, though broader installation ranges often run from £8,000 to £18,000 depending on specification.
Government support through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can reduce costs significantly, with grants of up to £7,500 available for eligible homes.
One thing homeowners don’t always expect is that radiators often need upgrading when installing a heat pump. Because heat pumps run at lower temperatures than gas boilers, larger radiators may be required to deliver the same comfort level. This can add £2,000–£5,000 to a project in some homes.
Heat pumps work best in well-insulated properties and can pair effectively with solar panels and other low-carbon upgrades. The biggest challenge is usually the initial investment rather than day-to-day performance.
The Boilers2go Reality Check
When customers ask about central-heating costs, the biggest factor is rarely the boiler itself — it’s the amount of installation work around it. Pipe routes, flooring, insulation levels, and radiator upgrades usually influence the final price more than the heat source alone.
That’s why two houses that look similar from the outside can end up with very different quotes.
In most cases, the best approach is choosing the system that suits the home, insulation level, and budget, rather than focusing only on the headline cost of the boiler or heat pump.
With years of experience in boilers and home improvements in general, Myles Robinson is a passionate advocate for making home heating simpler, safer, and more affordable for households across the UK. With years of experience in the heating industry, Myles combines hands-on knowledge with a focus on customer-first service, helping homeowners choose the right boiler, understand their systems, and keep their heating running efficiently all year round. His articles break down complex topics into clear, practical advice you can trust.