Air Source Heat Pump vs Gas Boiler: 2026 UK Cost Showdown
Updated: May 2026 — Power Guardian UK Editorial Team
Heat pumps split UK opinion. The truth in 2026 lives in the spreadsheet — your COP, your tariff and your insulation.
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The 2026 cost numbers that matter
| Item | 2026 figure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity unit rate | ~27p/kWh | Drives every kWh the pump uses |
| Gas unit rate | ~6.5p/kWh | The benchmark to beat |
| Typical UK heat demand | ~12,000 kWh/yr | Ofgem TDCV medium home |
| Heat pump SCOP (real-world) | 3.0–3.5 | Heat out ÷ electricity in |
| Gas boiler efficiency | ~85% | Modern condensing combi |
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Annual running cost by home type
| Home | Heat demand | SCOP | Gas boiler cost | Heat pump (standard) | Heat pump (Cosy tariff) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulated 2-bed flat | 6,000 kWh | 3.5 | £459 | £463 | £257 |
| Average 3-bed semi | 12,000 kWh | 3.2 | £918 | £1,013 | £563 |
| Older 4-bed detached | 18,000 kWh | 2.8 | £1,376 | £1,736 | £965 |
| Poorly insulated home | 22,000 kWh | 2.5 | £1,683 | £2,376 | £1,320 |
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Bottom line: Heat pumps reliably beat gas only with (1) decent insulation, (2) a heat-pump-friendly tariff and (3) a real-world SCOP of 3.0+.
Will the £7,500 BUS grant continue?
Yes — confirmed through 2026. Average install £11–14k, so out-of-pocket is £4–7k.
Should I insulate before installing?
Always. Without insulation upgrades SCOP collapses below 2.8 and running costs match or exceed gas.
Sources
- Ofgem price cap (April 2026)
- DESNZ household energy statistics 2026
- Power Guardian UK editorial analysis
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