Are heat pumps worth it?
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Key takeaways
- Heat pumps are 400-500% efficient, reducing energy bills by up to £560 per year compared to traditional gas boilers.
- Heat pumps reduce your home’s heating carbon emissions by up to 100% when combined with renewable energy tariffs like Aira Zero.
- Suitable for most homes with outdoor space, heat pumps work best in well-insulated properties and with larger radiators or underfloor heating systems to maintain consistent, cosy temperatures.
Are you feeling the heat - literally - when it comes to your energy bills? With rising costs and climate concerns, many are turning to heat pumps as an alternative to their boiler. But are these systems really worth the investment?
In this article, we’ll break down the real benefits of heat pumps, examine if they can save you money, and help you decide whether they’re the right fit for your home.
Will heat pumps save me money on my bills?
Let's get straight to the point. Will heat pumps really save me money on my energy bills? The answer. Yes!
While the upfront and installation costs of both air source and ground source heat pumps can be higher than a gas or combi boiler, their lower running costs make them a better economical choice in the long run.
How are heat pumps more affordable to run? Unlike traditional heating systems that rely heavily on fossil fuels, heat pumps transfer heat energy from the ground, water or air, giving them efficiency rates of 400% to 500%. This means for every unit of electricity consumed, they generate 4 to 5 units of heat. For comparison, gas and combi boilers typically operate at only 90-95% efficiency, meaning they convert 90-95% of the energy from gas into heat.
All this extra efficiency means that, over time, the initial cost of a ground, water or air source heat pump is offset by the energy savings. In fact, an air source heat pump like the Aira Heat Pump can lower your energy bills by £560 per year when combined with a heat pump tariff like Aira Zero.
Can I save more with a heat pump-specific tariff?
Heat pump-specific tariffs are designed to maximise savings by allowing homeowners to take advantage of lower energy rates during off-peak hours.
Powered by Octopus Energy, our heat pump tariff, Aira Zero, allows Aira to adjust your system to heat your home’s water when energy prices are lower and use stored heat and hot water during peak times when energy is more expensive. Reducing your energy costs by up to £560 per year without compromising comfort.
However, since these tariffs apply to the household's electricity usage, it's important to monitor your energy consumption carefully. Avoid running electricity-intensive appliances, such as dryers and dishwashers, during peak times, as this can diminish your potential savings.
Is a heat pump worth the upfront cost?
We already know that the upfront cost of a heat pump is usually more expensive than a traditional boiler. But just how much more? Well, the initial investment for an air source heat pump and installation after the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is typically between £5,450 and £12,000. Ground source heat pumps are more expensive, costing up to £30,000.
A new combi boiler can cost anywhere between £1,000 to more than £3,000 depending on the brand. Then, you need to factor in the installation costs, which can also vary. Let’s break it down:
- Upfront cost: £1,000 - £3,000
- Simple installation cost (e.g. boiler is same type and installed in same location): £500
- Complex installation cost (e.g. relocating the boiler or upgrading the system): £2,000
- Total cost of combi boiler: Up to £5000
The cost of a traditional heating system, like a gas boiler, can cost even more. Let’s calculate the potential price:
- Upfront cost: £1,500 - £4,000
- Simple installation cost (e.g. boiler is same type and installed in same location: £500
- Complex installation cost (e.g. upgrading pipework or relocating the boiler): £2,500
- Total cost of traditional boiler: Up to £6,500
So, you could end up paying more than £5,000 for a new gas or combi boiler. And that's before you factor in the expensive insurance and yearly maintenance a boiler needs. In contrast, most heat pump systems usually don't require an annual service. The Aira Heat Pump, for example, is covered by our industry-leading 15 Year Comfort Guarantee. So, any parts and labour required to ensure the function of your product and installation are on us for 15 years.
What do all these numbers mean? Well, if you factor in the upfront and running costs of a gas boiler, you'll end up paying around £35,000 over a 20-year period. How does the heat pump stack up? If an Aira Heat Pump is combined with an Aira Zero tariff, you'll pay approximately £22,000 over the same period.
Aside from the financial benefits, heat pumps also reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and cut your carbon emissions, making them the greener, more forward-thinking choice. In fact, if you combine an Aira Heat Pump with Aira Zero, you'll reduce your home's heating carbon emissions to zero!
Learn more about how we calculated these numbers and how much a heat pump costs.
Are heat pumps better for the environment than gas boilers?
Yes, heat pumps are substantially better for the environment compared to conventional heating systems like gas boilers. Instead of generating heat using fossil fuels, they operate using electricity to transfer heat. This means they can achieve energy efficiency levels between 400% and 500%.
On their own, heat pumps reduce home heating carbon emissions by about 75%. If you combine them with a heat pump tariff, like Aira Zero, that uses electricity from renewable energy sources, this number increases to 100%.
Ultimately, the environmental benefits of a heat pump make it a superior choice for lowering your carbon footprint.
Will I be warmer with a heat pump than a boiler?
Are you wondering if a heat pump will keep you warmer than a traditional boiler? To answer that question, it's helpful to understand how a heat pump heats a home. These modern systems operate at lower flow temperatures and provide a more stable indoor climate by maintaining a consistent temperature.
Why do they heat this way? Well, just like it's more fuel-efficient for your car to accelerate slowly from 0 to 60, the same goes for your heat pump. It heats your home more gradually and actively maintains a consistently cosy indoor temperature. Unlike an inefficient boiler that heats in short, on-off bursts.
As a result, radiators in heat pump homes may feel cooler to the touch, or rooms may take a little longer to reach a new set temperature. But, overall, homes with heat pumps stay warmer for longer. This is partly because heat pumps rely more on radiative heating, which creates a more consistent and even indoor climate compared to the on-off bursts of heat provided by traditional boilers
Radiative heat works by warming objects and surfaces in a room directly, which helps maintain stable temperatures and reduces cold spots. In contrast, gas boiler systems typically rely more on convective heat, which primarily heats the air. This can lead to temperature fluctuations as warm air rises and cool air sinks, creating cycles of uneven warmth. While traditional gas radiators do emit some radiative heat, their design is dominated by convective methods, which can result in less consistent heating.
The steady operation of heat pumps complements radiative heating to ensure a more balanced and comfortable home environment, enhancing comfort while also lowering energy bills.
This is even the case in the depths of winter. Contrary to a particular heat pump myth, these systems are designed to work in temperatures as low as -25°C. Don't just take our word for it, ask Scandinavia where heat pumps are the norm. As are sub-zero temperatures!
It is true that traditional radiator systems may not be compatible with heat pump technology and the lower flow rates they operate at. Learn more about whether heat pumps work with radiators.
Is a heat pump right for you?
Nearly all UK households can benefit from a heat pump. But deciding whether a heat pump is the right choice for your home depends on a few key considerations, including your energy needs, sustainability concerns and the characteristics of your property. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Energy efficiency and cost savings: While heat pumps bring you instant energy savings, they are a long-term investment. Their upfront costs are higher than traditional heating systems like gas boilers, but their exceptional energy efficiency - 400% to 500% compared to 90% for gas boilers - results in significant savings over time. For example, an Aira Heat Pump combined with an Aira Zero tariff could lower your energy bills by up to £560 per year.
- Property suitability: Most homes with outdoor space can accommodate an air source heat pump. The outdoor unit is unobtrusive, but it requires enough space for proper airflow. Additionally, homes with underfloor heating are particularly well-suited for heat pumps, as these heating methods work seamlessly with the lower flow temperatures heat pumps provide.
- Insulation: Proper insulation is essential for getting the best performance from your heat pump. Since heat pumps operate at lower flow temperatures than traditional boilers, a well-insulated home is crucial for retaining warmth. If your home isn’t already insulated, it’s worth addressing this to maximise the benefits of your new heating system.
- Environmental factors: If reducing your carbon footprint is important to you, a heat pump is an excellent choice. Heat pumps harness renewable energy to heat your home without burning fossil fuels. When paired with a heat pump tariff like Aira Zero, which uses 100% renewable electricity, your home’s heating carbon emissions are reduced to zero.
Ultimately, if reducing energy costs and carbon emissions drives your home improvement plans, and you have a home that can accommodate it, a heat pump could be the right choice for you.
