A realistic comparison for homes in Devon and Cornwall.
One of the most common questions we get is whether a heat pump will cost more or less to run than a gas boiler. The honest answer is: it depends on several factors, but in many cases, running costs can be similar or even lower with a well-designed heat pump system.
This is the biggest factor for both systems. A well-insulated home will have lower running costs regardless of whether you have a heat pump or a gas boiler. Improving insulation usually has more impact than changing the heating system itself.
A correctly designed and installed heat pump can achieve good efficiency. Poor design (wrong size, incorrect flow temperatures, or badly sized emitters) is one of the most common reasons for higher-than-expected running costs.
Heat pumps use electricity, while gas boilers use gas. The relative price of electricity versus gas has a big impact on running costs. In recent years, electricity has been significantly more expensive than gas per unit of energy.
Heat pumps generally work best when left running at a steady temperature. Homes that maintain consistent temperatures tend to see better running costs with a heat pump than those that frequently turn the heating on and off.
In a reasonably well-insulated home with a properly designed heat pump system, many people find that running costs are similar to — or only slightly higher than — a modern gas boiler.
In poorly insulated homes, heat pump running costs can be noticeably higher unless insulation improvements are made at the same time.
There is no single answer that applies to everyone. The best way to understand potential running costs for your property is to get a proper heat loss assessment.
Use our Heat Pump Estimator to get a better idea of system size and performance.