Heat pump vs boilers
Gas boilers have been the go-to for home heating since the 1950s. But heating technology has moved on. With rising energy costs and the push for cleaner, more affordable heating, more homeowners are switching to heat pumps.
So, how do they compare? Let's break it down – upfront costs, efficiency, performance, and long-term savings – so you can make the best choice for your home.
Comparing air source heat pumps with gas boilers
Air source heat pump | Gas boiler | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy source | Electricity (from renewable or grid sources) | Natural gas (fossil fuels) |
| Efficiency | Over 400% (4 units of heat per 1 unit of electricity) | 90% (loses about 10% of energy through flue emissions) |
| Upfront cost | £5,450 to £12,000 (after grant) | £2,000 to £6000 |
| Running costs | About £840 per year (even lower with solar panels) | About £1068 per year (excluding maintenance costs) |
| Maintenance costs | Biennial maintenance visit (free for the first year and £238.80 annually with Aira all-inclusive plan) | £468 Annual maintenance, insurance and servicing* |
| Installation complexity | More complex (1-5 days) | Simpler (1-2 days) |
| Envionmental impact | Low (uses renewable energy, reduces emissions) | High (reliant on burning fossil fuels) |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 10-15 years |
| Noise | 40 to 60 decibels (about the same as refrigerator) | 40 to 60 decibels |
*Boiler maintenance costs based on an average of £39 per month over a 20-year period. Includes annual inspection, servicing, repairs and insurance. Heat pump maintenance costs based on the Aira all-inclusive plan, which is free for the first year and £19.90 a month for the next 14 years.
How heat pumps work
Heat pumps do the same job as boilers. They heat your home and hot water. But in a much more efficient way. Instead of burning fuel, they extract heat from the air, ground or water and transfer it inside. Even in cold weather.
Air to water heat pumps are the most common type of heat pump in the UK. As their name suggests, they use electricity to extract heat from the outside air, making them four times more efficient than a boiler.
How boilers work
When it comes to heating our homes, many of us are familiar with traditional gas boilers, which have warmed UK households for decades.
Gas boilers burn natural gas to heat water, which is then circulated through radiators or underfloor heating. The problem? Burning gas creates CO₂ emissions and wastes energy through heat loss. And, they're becoming more and more expensive to run.
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Heat pump vs boiler: upfront costs
Let's address the elephant in the room. Heat pumps usually cost more to install than gas boilers. But not by much. With a £7,500 government grant and flexible finance options, the upfront installation cost drops significantly.
And here’s the kicker: over time, you’ll actually spend less on your energy bills with a heat pump.
Heat pump installation cost
- Heat pumps cost between £5,450 - £12,000 (including installation and government grant)
- £7,500 government grant available (Boiler Upgrade Scheme, England & Wales) – your installer will apply on your behalf. So you don't have to do a thing.
- Up to £7,500 grant + £7,500 interest-free loan (Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan)
- Finance options available – spread the costs over affordable monthly payments with heat pump finance.
Gas boiler installation cost
- Gas boilers cost between £2,000 - £6,000 (including installation).
- Lower upfront cost than a heat pump, but higher long-term running costs.
What could your heat pump cost?
Costs from
£
Included in your Aira Heat Pump switch
Free home energy assessment
Affordable monthly payment options
Grant application & help with planning permission
Full design and installation
Estimate based on standard installation, assuming no radiator upgrades. £7,500 government grant applied. Payment options available.
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Heat pump vs boiler: running costs
Alongside extracting heat from the air, heat pumps use electricity. Which, for now, is more expensive than gas. Why? That's a question for the energy giants and the UK government. We can't make heads or tails of it.
The good news? Even with this handicap, heat pumps are still cheaper to run than gas boilers. And, with the right tariff, you can keep running costs even lower.
Heat pump running costs
Despite electricity being more expensive than gas, heat pumps' superior efficiency makes them cheaper to run. And, with our 15-Year Aira Guarantee, servicing and maintenance is cheaper too.
- Annual heating cost with standard electricity tariff: ~£840
- Annual heating cost with a heat pump tariff like Aira Zero: ~£684
- With solar panels: Even lower. You could save up to £1,732 a year.
- Aira Heat Pump annual cover (Aira Guarantee): £238.80 (free for first year with all-inclusive plan)
Gas boiler running costs
Gas boilers have cheaper fuel but lower efficiency, meaning you burn more fuel to get the same heat.
- Annual heating cost: ~£1,068
- Annual boiler maintenance cost: ~£468 (average over a 20-year period. Includes annual inspection, servicing, repairs and insurance)
Comparing heat pump and gas boiler running costs
Gas boiler | Aira Heat Pump | Aira Heat Pump + Aira Zero | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cost of gas for heating | £1068 | N/A | N/A |
| Annual cost of electricity for heating | N/A | £840 | £684 |
| Annual cost of electricity for appliances | £744 | £744 | £600 |
| Annual maintenance costs | £468 | £238.80 (free for first year with all-inclusive plan) | £238.80 (free for first year with all-inclusive plan) |
| Total (per year) | £2,280 | £1822.80 | £1522.80 |
*Boiler cover & maintenance costs based on a yearly average over a 20-year period. Includes annual inspection, servicing, repairs and insurance.
Heat pump vs boiler: efficiency explained
Heat pumps are simply more efficient than gas boilers. It’s a fact of nature. Take the Aira Heat Pump. It’s four times more efficient. And we’re so confident in that, it’s promised in our Aira Guarantee. But what exactly does ‘four times more efficient’ mean?
Heat pump efficiency
- 400% efficiency – for every 1kWh of electricity, a heat pump produces 4kWh of heat.
- Works efficiently even in cold weather. Just ask Scandinavia, where heat pumps are the norm.
Boiler efficiency
- Most gas boilers operate at 85%-90% efficiency – meaning 10-15% of energy is wasted.
- Older boilers are even less efficient, wasting more fuel and money.
Heat pump vs boiler: maintenance and lifespan
Here's another win for heat pumps. They last longer than gas boilers. But that doesn't mean they're maintenance-free. To keep them running at their best, a little upkeep goes a long way. Let’s break down the lifespan and maintenance costs of both heating systems.
Heat pump maintenance
- Heat pumps last 20-25 years.
- Heat pumps require minimal maintenance: Bleeding radiators, checking system pressure and clearing airflow make a big difference.
- Aira Heat Pumps comes with the Aira Guarantee, which promises three things: complete temperature comfort, optimal heat pump performance and at least 4X more heating efficiency than a boiler. If not, we'll come and fix it.
Boiler maintenance
- Gas boilers usually lasts 10-15 years.
- Gas boilers need annual servicing (~£100 per year).
- Higher risk of breakdowns and repairs.
- Overall, annual inspection, servicing, repairs and insurance can cost an average of ~£468 per year.
Heat pump vs boiler: environmental impact
Because heat pumps use the fresh air, not filthy fossil fuels, to heat your home and hot water, they're much more environmentally friendly than a gas boiler.
How do we know this? Because in regions like Scandinavia, where heat pumps are the heating standard, household CO₂ emissions account for just 2% of the region's total carbon footprint. The UK's? A whopping 16%.
Heat pumps and the environment
- 100% less home heating CO₂ emissions when paired with a renewable electricity tariff like Aira Zero.
- Upgrading to a heat pump reduces your carbon footprint. 4x more effective than going vegan and 2x more effective than giving up your car.
Boilers and the environment
- Gas heating accounts for 16% of UK carbon emissions.
- In Scandinavia, where heat pumps are common, home heating emissions are just 2%.
Heat pump vs boiler: installation complexity
UK houses were built with traditional gas boilers in mind. Which means heat pumps can be more complex to install. To get the most out of them, you may also need new piping or radiators. But, with energy bill savings of up to £525 a year, it's worth it.
Heat pump installation
- Takes 1-5 days, depending on home upgrades needed.
- May require radiator upgrades for maximum efficiency.
Boiler installation
- Usually done in a day. More complex installations can last longer.
- Straightforward if replacing an existing gas boiler.
Heat pump vs boiler: which one is right for you?
Heat pumps win on efficiency, running costs and sustainability. If you want lower bills and a greener home, installing a heat pump is a no-brainer.
Gas boilers have a lower upfront cost but higher long-term expenses. And, with rising gas prices and government net-zero targets, they’re a short-term solution at best.
Ready to future-proof your home’s heating? Discover how Aira can make the upgrade completely hassle-free.
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