The choice between a heat pump and boiler has become one of the most important decisions for UK homeowners in recent years, with ASHP’s recently increasing in popularity for their high efficiency and low operating costs. High energy bills, environmental concerns, and the government drive for net zero carbon emissions by 2050 has pushed more homeowners to consider whether a new boiler or a heat pump is more suitable for them, and which heating system offers the best combination of efficiency, cost, and eco-friendliness.
The UK government hopes to install at least 600,000 heat pumps annually for the upcoming five years. Currently less than 2% of households are using this technology, which compared to over 80% still on boilers is really low. Despite this huge shift in heating policy, around 1.5 million gas boilers were still installed in the UK in 2024, significantly ahead of heat pump installations.
In this blog, we’ll go over each aspect of the heat pump vs boiler debate so you can find out which system may be ideal for your home. We’ll discuss efficiency ratings, cost, environmental impact, and day-to-day considerations to give you the information you need to make the right choice.
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How Boilers and Heat Pumps Work
Understanding the fundamental differences between the systems is an important factor when choosing between both systems. Gas boilers work by directly heating water using natural gas through combustion, with water flowing through pipes directly over gas flames and heating up your water supply. The heat then circulates heating your home through radiators warming your home or to your faucets delivering hot water on demand. New condensing boilers achieve efficiency of around 90-99%, achieving this efficiency by turning most of the fuel they burn into heat energy.
Combi boilers remain attractive as they provide instant hot water on demand without requiring a separate storage tank, easily installable in kitchen cupboards, allowing them to maintain aesthetics and making them popular in homes with limited space . However, they rely entirely on fossil fuels, contributing to carbon emissions.
Heat pumps on the other hand work in a completely different way; They extract heat from outside air (even down to -15°C) and transfer it indoors by using refrigerant technology. The same principle that a refrigerator works on, but the opposite.
Air source heat pumps use heat from the outside air to heat a fluid refrigerant, which turns into gas and is compressed to increase its temperature. The heated refrigerant is used to provide heat to water in your central heating and taps.
The most significant advantage is that heat pumps don’t generate heat, they just move it from one place to another, so they’re very efficient.
Efficiency Comparison
If one compares electric boiler vs heat pump efficiency, or heat pumps vs gas boilers, they’ll find out that the difference between them is huge.
When it comes to heat pumps, they are exceedingly efficient, with their efficiency ratings standing between 300-400%. This means that for every 1kWh of electricity consumed, they provide 3-4kWh of heat. Ground source heat pumps can reach even better efficiency levels of 400%+.
Efficiency is measured as the Coefficient of Performance (CoP), so when a system’s CoP is 3, that means it provides three times more heat energy than the electrical energy input. The efficiency of a heat pump remains quite high even during the extremely cold winter days. Heat pumps remain at least 244% efficient on very cold days, which is one of the reasons it remains highly popular in countries colder than the UK including Norway and Finland, which have the highest heat pump installation per capita in Europe.
New A-rated gas boilers are generally 90-99% efficient, while electric boilers are 99-100% efficient. Electric boilers, however, work on a 1:1 energy conversion, that’s 1 kWh of heat for every 1kWh of electricity. When comparing the efficiency of a gas boiler vs air source heat pump, heat pumps take it by a large margin, as they produce around three times more heat than gas boilers for every unit of energy consumed!
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Running Costs
The heat pump vs boiler running cost comparison allows you to see some important long-term saving benefits. According to current Ofgem price cap tariffs, it is approximately £78.71 a month to run an average heat pump, compared to £68.95 for a gas boiler. That is approximately £10 a month!
However, most heat pump owners pay significantly less than the price cap on specialist heat pump tariffs. On Octopus Energy’s Cosy tariff, for example, heat pump owners are £253.32 a year better off than gas boiler owners on the default price cap. These numbers are even lower if solar panels are installed alongside the system. Homeowners can be eligible to free solar panel installations under the ECO4 scheme.
The yearly running costs by house size:
Household Size | Gas Boiler | Air Source Heat Pump | Ground Source Heat Pump |
1 bedroom | £620 | £760 | £760 |
2-3 bedrooms | £890 | £1,065 | £955 |
4+ bedrooms | £1,260 | £1,475 | £1,315 |
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For families considering electric boiler or heat pump options, the difference is even more prominent. Electric boilers require on average 9,200kWh per year for heating and hot water, at a cost of around £2,057 per year at current electricity prices.
In comparison, a heat pump uses slightly more than 3,286kWh electricity for the same heat output, costing around £735 annually. This represents potential annual savings of over £1,300 by switching from an electric boiler to a heat pump.
The Solar Panel Integration Outlook
Heat pumps also work very well in conjunction with solar panels and can cut running costs on average by 50%. With a big solar PV system and battery storage, you would be operating your heat pump on virtually free solar electricity.
Heat Pump vs Combi Boiler
1. Hot Water Performance
One common question about heat pump vs combi boiler performance relates to the supply of hot water. While combi boilers provide instant hot water on demand, heat pumps typically require a hot water storage cylinder. However, newer heat pumps like Mitsubishi Ecodan R290 can heat water to temperatures of up to 75°C, which is enough for most domestic hot water needs. Heat pump owners report the same satisfaction level as gas boiler owners according to a recent survey.
2. Space Requirements
Combi boiler and air source heat pump installations also require different amounts of space. Combi boilers are compact and do not require external storage tanks, while heat pumps need space for the external unit (typically 2m x 1m), internal hot water cylinder, and adequate ventilation around the external unit.
3. Noise Considerations
Heat pump noise is legally cut back in the UK. Air source heat pumps cannot be more than 42 decibels when measured from the property of the nearest neighbour. To put that into perspective, that is equivalent to the noise of a fridge operating.
Heat pumps are designed to be quiet by modern standards, and most manufacturers offer ultra-quiet models for the UK domestic market.
4. Carbon Footprint Reduction
Heat pumps have a huge environmental lead. They have the potential to reduce your carbon footprint by approximately 44% compared to gas boilers. This is because it is more efficient, and the greener electricity is given off the grid, with nearly 43% of UK electricity now produced from renewable sources. As the grid continues to decarbonize, heat pumps will become even greener in the years to come.
5. Government Net Zero Strategy
The UK’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050 makes heat pumps a future-proof investment. The government has scheduled the prohibition of gas boilers in new homes and is providing substantial grants to drive the transition.
Natural gas represents about 75% of global emissions, making the transition to electric heating systems a vital part of climate action.
6. Maintenance and Reliability
Heat pumps require annual servicing costing between £150-£300 for air source and £200-£350 for ground source installations. The service typically includes:
- Electrical safety testing
- Thermostat operation check
- Visual inspection and cleaning
- Refrigerant level check
- Filter and coil cleaning
With proper maintenance, heat pumps will endure 20-25 years, considerably longer than the 10-15 year lifespan of gas boilers.
Gas boilers require annual servicing, which costs around £100-£200. However, they tend to need more repairs and have shorter lifespans than heat pumps.
Conclusion: The Future of Home Heating!
The heat pump vs boiler decision ultimately depends on your particular circumstances, but the facts weigh very much in favour of heat pumps for most UK homes. Three times as efficient as gas boilers, supported with generous government grants and the path to a decarbonized electricity grid and possibility of solar panel integration, all are reasons why heat pumps represent the future of home heating.
For homes with current electric heating systems, the switch to a heat pump is a clear winner, offering dramatic cost savings and improved comfort. For gas boiler users, the decision requires more consideration of your home’s insulation levels, available space, and long-term heating strategy. If you are looking for a system that could save you £500 a year on your energy bills while dramatically reducing your carbon footprint, combi boilers are your go to system. Â
The UK’s heating landscape is transforming rapidly. Early adopters of heat pump technology are positioning themselves advantageously for a future where clean, efficient heating will be the norm rather than the exception.
Whether you’re motivated by environmental concerns, long-term cost savings, or simply wanting the most advanced heating technology available, heat pumps offer a compelling solution for forward-thinking homeowners.
Ready to upgrade your home’s heating system to a more efficient and reliable system? Check your eligibility by filling our 1-minute form and to discover what grants and support you can get for your heat pump or boiler installation. Don’t wait – take your first step towards cleaner, more efficient home heating today.
