Making a decision regarding a heat pump versus a gas boiler can be a difficult one for the uninformed. Both offer benefits and some drawbacks, and a proper understanding of these will help you weigh up which heat energy option is right for you.
While a gas boiler is usually the cheaper option in terms of purchase costs, installing a heat pump – either an air source heat pump or ground source heat pump – can help to reduce your carbon footprint, boost energy efficiency, and help you save significantly on energy bills.
In this comparison guide, we’ll run through some of the pros and cons of both gas boilers and heat pumps, helping you understand which is likely to be the right heating choice for you.
Which is the better heating system: Heat pump vs gas boiler?
It’s not always easy to know which heating system is the best option for your property. Should you stick with a traditional gas boiler or install a low carbon heating system like a modern heat pump? To help you to make your decision, we’ve weighed up some of the most important factors that you’ll need to consider during your decision-making.
1. Upfront cost – boilers are cheaper to install
When it comes to upfront costs, a gas boiler and central heating is typically cheaper than a heat pump, and that includes both an air source heat pump or a ground source heat pump (usually the most expensive particularly because the installation groundwork required is more extensive). Gas boilers are faster and easier to install, as well as being less costly, but it’s important to consider the lifespan of the relative heating systems, as well as the ongoing costs, such as running costs and maintenance, before making your final decision.
2. Running costs – heat pumps are cheaper to run
It’s essential that you weigh up how much it is going to cost to operate whichever heating option you choose. After all, you need to know what you’ll be paying for your energy in the long term. Heat pumps are usually cheaper to run. Heat pumps are powered by electricity, rather than gas, and they are much more energy efficient than gas boilers.
You can further reduce the running costs of a heat pump by installing solar panels on your property and generating your own solar electricity. This means that your heat pump will be largely powered by solar energy during daylight hours, helping to keep your running costs to a minimum.
3. Environmental impact – heat pumps help reduce carbon footprints
The environmental cost of heating and using fossil fuels is an ongoing concern, so households are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Installing a heat pump system is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon emissions and do your part in protecting the planet.
Again, you can further reduce your carbon footprint by installing solar panels and having heat pumps run using this renewable energy whenever possible.
4. Product lifespan – heat pumps last longer
If making the investment in a new heating system for your home, you clearly want it to last more than just a few years. For this reason, it’s important to understand the expected life span of your boiler or heat pump before making the decision to invest in a new one.
Typically new gas boilers will last for 10-15 years before needing to be replaced. In contrast, heat pumps have an average lifespan of 20 years, with some heat pumps lasting up to 25 years before requiring replacement. Heat pumps save their owners a significant amount for the duration of their lifespan.
5. Ongoing maintenance – heat pumps require minimal maintenance
Finally, it’s essential that you consider ongoing maintenance requirements before making your decision. Whilst gas boilers require an annual service to ensure that they are operating safely and efficiently, heat pumps have lower maintenance requirements and may only require a service every three to five years. This is because heat pumps have less components and do not pose a threat to safety if anything goes wrong. So, your ongoing maintenance requirements will be lower if you opt for a heat pump.
6. Space requirements – boilers generally require less space
Traditional boilers don’t take up much space. This is particularly the case with combi boilers which do not require a hot water cylinder. This makes gas boilers well-suited to small properties where space might be limited.
In contrast, heat pumps require a larger amount of space. This is because heat pumps require space for the outdoor unit, as well as space for the indoor unit and hot water cylinder. Ground source heat pumps require additional space for the required ground loops.
If you’re considering having a heat pump installed on your property, you’ll need to ensure that you have enough space available for all the the required equipment.
Pros and cons of heat pumps
Before you can make an informed decision about the right way to heat your home, you need to consider both the pros and cons of heat pumps. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of installing a heat pump on your property.
Advantages of heat pumps
There are many benefits of having heat pump systems installed, from reducing your energy bills to helping to minimise your environmental impact. Here are some of the advantages of heat pumps:
| Reduced energy costs | Heat pump running costs are much lower than a traditional fossil fuel systems like combi boilers. A heat pump allows you to not only heat your home, via radiator or underfloor heating, but also heat water in a cost-effective way. |
| Eco-friendly | A heat pump installation is far more efficient than gas boilers and results in fewer carbon emissions as they are highly efficient, generating much more more energy than they consume, allowing you to do your part for the environment. |
| Prioritise safety | Heat pumps are considerably safer than gas boilers, as they extract heat rather than relying on burning fossil fuel for heat production, minimising the risk of accidents occurring. |
| Reduced maintenance | Compared to gas boilers, the maintenance requirements of air source and ground source heat pumps are much lower, so you won’t need to worry about scheduling annual services. |
| Extended lifespan | Air source heat pumps can usually last for up to 25 years, which is double that of a traditional gas boiler. This gives you peace of mind, as a replacement will not be required for many years. |
| Compatibility with some existing systems | In some circumstances it may be possible that a heat pump is compatible with existing heating setups. For example, a high temperature heat pump can sometimes be used in combination with their traditional radiators, making them most suited to heat older buildings. |
| Funding available | Heat pumps are becoming increasingly more affordable, and to encourage households to make the switch to more energy efficient options, there are some free funding incentives available (such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme), so you may be able to save money on your heat pump installation by claiming a heat pump grant |
Disadvantages of heat pumps
Although there are many advantages, for a balanced view, there are also some disadvantages of heat pumps that you need to be aware of too:
| Upfront heat pump costs | Heat pumps typically have higher upfront installation costs than a traditional gas boiler. This is because the installation of a heat pump is usually less straightforward than simply replacing a boiler and can involve the need for underfloor heating, upgraded radiators or even a hot water tank or cylinder inside. |
| Complex installation | Heat pumps, especially ground source heat pumps, are more complex and require more work to install than gas boilers. This means that the installation will take longer, typically spanning several days rather than a single day. It could also mean disruption to your property or garden, depending on the extent of the pipework that is required. |
| Seasonal Energy Efficiency | Air source heat pumps are less efficient during the cold winter months, when there is less heat available to extract from the air. Whilst air source heat pumps will still operate in temperatures below freezing, heat pump efficiency is reduced, meaning more electricity is required for extracting heat. |
| Electricity usage | Although heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than gas boilers, they still require electricity to run. This means that they aren’t completely carbon neutral. |
| Planning permission | Whilst planning permission isn’t required in most cases in England and Scotland unless the property is listed, you may require planning permission for a heat pump installation if you live in Wales or Northern Ireland. |
Pros and cons of gas boilers
There are also many advantages and disadvantages of installing a gas boiler in your property, whether it’s a new installation or a direct replacement for your existing boiler. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of having a gas boiler installed on your property.
Advantages of gas boilers
Although heat pumps are rapidly increasing in popularity in the UK, there are also many people that prefer to stick to their traditional gas boilers. Here are some of the benefits of heating your home with a gas boiler:
| Reduced space requirements | A combi boiler doesn’t take up much space – in fact, they can often fit inside a cupboard. This makes boilers ideal for use in properties where space is limited. |
| Quick installation | A replacement boiler can usually be installed in a single day, so there is usually minimum disruption and you won’t have to wait overly long for your new boiler to be installed. |
| No planning permission required | Gas boilers do not require planning permission for installation, whether you’re in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. This simplifies the installation process, as you won’t need to seek permission from your local authority. |
| The traditional option | In the UK, the majority of households are used to using gas fuel boilers as part of their central heating system. Traditional boilers have been the norm for many years, so many people prefer to stick to what they are already familiar with. |
| Not reliant on the weather | A traditional boiler is powered by gas. This means that your boiler will be unaffected by the weather outdoors, retaining the same level of efficiency in all seasons. |
| Funding available | There is funding available for boilers too but unfortunately Heat Pumps UK can’t help you secure it. |
Disadvantages of gas boilers
Although there are advantages of the traditional gas boiler, there are also some disadvantages that you need to be aware of before making your choice. Here are some of the disadvantages of gas boilers:
| Increased carbon emissions | Traditional boilers are powered by gas. Over a third of UK gas usage comes from home heating, adding to the CO2 produced each year. This demonstrates the impact that gas boilers and fossil fuels have on the environment. |
| Annual servicing required | Gas boilers require annual servicing by a Gas Safe registered engineer to maintain their efficiency and ensure their safety. This is an ongoing cost that needs to be budgeted for when you opt for a gas boiler. |
| Reduced lifespan | Whilst heat pumps can last for up to 25 years, gas boilers will typically only last for 10-15 years. This means that you’ll need to replace your gas boiler twice as often as you’d need to replace a heat pump, increasing the associated costs. |
| Potential safety concerns | Whilst a properly maintained boiler should operate safely, gas boilers can become dangerous if things go wrong. That’s why it’s recommended that you have a carbon monoxide detector to identify potential gas leaks. |
| Increased energy costs | As the name suggests, gas boilers are powered by gas. This means that they are more costly to run than an economical heat pump, so you’ll typically pay more for your energy bills. |
Is a heat pump more efficient than a gas boiler?
Heat pumps are typically more efficient than traditional gas system boilers. This means that your energy bills are likely to be less if you opt for a heat pump to heat your home and your hot water instead of a gas boiler.
If you want to keep your energy bills to a minimum, it’s worth considering a renewable energy source alongside your heat pump. For example, if you install solar panels on your property, your heat pump can be powered by the solar panels during daylight hours, further reducing your energy bills.
The heat pump v gas boiler verdict
For many years, boilers have been seen as the traditional way to heat the home and supply hot water to a property. However, in recent years, heat pumps have soared in popularity, thanks to their ability to reduce carbon emissions, as well as reducing energy bills. Although heat pumps are growing in adoption and popularity, the UK is still lagging behind European countries such as Norway, where over 60% of properties are heated by a heat pump.
When it comes to a heat pump v gas boiler comparison, there are many factors that you’ll need to consider to ensure that you choose the right option for your property. These include cost, installation time, environmental impact and the space that you have available.
It’s important to make the right decision for your home, as your heat pump or gas boiler will be heating your property for many years to come. While a very efficient heat pump can prove to be a good solid investment, initial installation costs can sometimes put them out of reach for some households or their property simply isn’t suitable for a heat pump. However, a UK government grant, such as those available under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, can make heat pumps cheaper than boilers and therefore a much more affordable option.
