Heat pumps are excellent technology. But the marketing around them sometimes overpromises. Here's our honest assessment of where they make sense today.
When heat pumps genuinely work well
- Well-insulated homes (EPC C or better)
- New builds designed for lower-temperature systems
- Homes with underfloor heating
- Properties with access to a cheap electricity tariff
- Homes where the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant covers a significant portion of cost
When gas boilers are still the better choice
- Older, leaky homes with poor insulation
- Properties with small radiators unsuitable for lower temperatures
- Homeowners on tight budgets who can't absorb the £8,000–£15,000 upfront cost
- Emergency boiler replacements where there's no time for a proper assessment
The running cost reality
With gas at 7p/kWh and electricity at 28p/kWh, a heat pump needs a COP (efficiency) of 4.0 to match gas running costs. In a well-insulated UK home, a well-installed heat pump typically achieves 2.5–3.5 COP — meaning it's currently slightly more expensive to run than gas for most homes.
The environmental case
Even at 2.5 COP on today's grid, a heat pump produces fewer carbon emissions than a gas boiler. As the grid gets greener (more renewables), heat pumps become even better.
Our recommendation
Gas boiler: if urgent replacement needed, older home, or budget constrained. Heat pump: if you're planning ahead, have good insulation, and can access the government grant. We install both — we'll tell you honestly which is right for your situation.