Benefits of Heat Pump vs. Gas Boiler
Here’s why you should replace your gas boiler with a heat pump. Please note these are educated estimates from trusted industry sources; actual results will depend on various circumstances such as property size, heat pump system design, heat pump COP, heating usage, and more.
| Air Source Heat Pump | Gas Boiler | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy efficiency 1 | 3x efficiency vs. gas boiler | ❌ |
| Energy savings 2 | £340 savings/year for 3-bed home | ❌ |
| Average lifetime 3 | 20-25 years | 10-15 years |
| Property value 4 | +1.7% to +3% increase | No property value increase |
| Carbon emissions 5 | 36% less than gas boiler | ❌ |
| Noise level 6 | 42 dB limit (like a fridge) | 43 dB average |
| Installer protection requirement 7 | 2 years of installer protection | ❌ |
| Energy source | Electricity | Natural gas |
- Based on Energy Systems Catapult study from 2020-2022: https://es.catapult.org.uk/news/heat-pumps-shown-to-be-three-times-more-efficient-than-gas-boilers/
- Based on Energy Savings Trust savings assumptions as of January 2024 based on a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house in England, Wales or Scotland: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/is-now-a-good-time-to-get-a-heat-pump/
- Heat pump average lifetime of 20-25 years based on NIBE’s article: https://www.nibe.eu/en-gb/homeowners/help-with-my-heat-pump/your-nibe-heat-pump/how-many-years-does-a-heat-pump-last-your-questions-answered Gas boiler average lifetime based on Warranty People’s article: https://www.warrantypeople.co.uk/how-long-does-a-boiler-last-average-life-of-a-gas-boiler/
- Based on Scottish Power and WWF’s report from August 2022: https://www.scottishpower.com/userfiles/file/Better%20Homes,%20Cooler%20Planet%20-%20Web%20Report%20-%203%20August%202022.pdf
- Based on Centre Net Zero and Octopus Energy’s study from October 2024: https://www.centrefornetzero.org/papers/decarbonising-heat-the-impact-of-heat-pumps-and-a-time-of-use-heat-pump-tariff-on-energy-demand
- Based on Nesta report on minimal noise impact from air source heat pumps from July 2024, which includes MCS requirement of 42 decibels in order to qualify for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant: https://www.nesta.org.uk/report/air-source-heat-pump-cumulative-noise-impact/
- Based on the latest MCS Renewable Installation Guarantee guide, which the installer must follow in order to qualify for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant: https://mcscertified.com/ibg/
