Heat Pump Report
Download our latest UK heat pump running-cost report.
Boiler Running Costs
What a gas boiler really costs to run each year.
Electric Heating Costs
The cost of electric heating vs the alternatives.
Economy 7 Calculator
See if Economy 7 makes electric heating cheaper.
Home Energy Efficiency Score
Score your home and target heat loss.
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Home heating and efficiency: the essentials
Installation price and running cost are different questions
A cheaper system to install can cost more to run, and the reverse is equally true. Our heating tools separate the two: the boiler cost calculator covers supply, installation and lifetime cost, while the running-cost tools deal only with the energy a system consumes. Comparing systems only makes sense when both use the same heat demand and the same fuel prices.
COP and SCOP in plain English
A heat pump's coefficient of performance is the heat it delivers per unit of electricity it consumes. A COP of 3 means three units of heat per unit of electricity. SCOP is the same idea averaged across a heating season, which is the more useful number because efficiency falls as outdoor temperatures drop and as flow temperatures rise. A well-designed system running at a low flow temperature keeps SCOP high.
No heating system suits every home
Heat pump suitability depends on heat loss, radiator sizing, available space and the electricity tariff. A gas boiler may remain the pragmatic choice in a poorly insulated property until fabric measures are done. We publish the assumptions behind every comparison rather than declaring one technology universally better.
Fabric first, then controls, then the system
Draught-proofing, loft and cavity insulation usually deliver the most reliable reduction per pound spent, followed by heating controls that stop you heating empty rooms. System replacement is the largest expense and benefits from the earlier measures being in place. Grant schemes differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so we state the jurisdiction and the date on any grant information.
Guides in this topic
- Boiler running costs — What a gas boiler costs to run and why.
- Electric heating costs — Panel, oil-filled, fan and storage heating compared.
- Energy saving tips — Practical measures with indicative savings.
- Seasonal energy saving guides — What to do in each season of the year.
- Best energy saving devices — Devices assessed with the assumptions shown.
- Energy saving products — Product categories and what they realistically do.
- Energy Saving hub — Directory of efficiency guidance and tools.
Calculators for this topic
- Heat pump running cost calculator — Running costs from SCOP, heat demand and tariff.
- Boiler cost calculator — Installation, running and 15-year lifetime cost.
- Electric heating cost calculator — Cost per hour, day, month and year by wattage.
- Home energy efficiency score — Indicative efficiency score and priority measures.
PowerGuardian research and data
- Heat Pump Report 2026 — PowerGuardian research on heat pump running costs.
- Heat Pump Running Cost Index — Tracked running-cost index with methodology.
- Home Energy Score index — The published index behind the efficiency score.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Boiler Upgrade Scheme — Grant scheme for heat pumps in England and Wales; other nations run separate schemes.
- Energy Saving Trust — Independent guidance on insulation, heating and efficiency measures.
Your next step
Use the same heat demand across systems before deciding on a replacement.
Compare heating running costsCommon questions on this topic
Last reviewed 13 August 2026
Written and maintained by the PowerGuardian Energy Analyst Team. The PowerGuardian editorial and data team tracks UK energy markets, Ofgem price cap reviews and household tariff data. We monitor wholesale gas, electricity and gas-storage feeds daily so the figures published here reflect the current market rather than an older cap period.
PowerGuardian publishes independent guidance for UK households. We do not provide regulated legal or financial advice. Read our editorial policy.
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