Heat pump vs gas boiler: which costs more?
Upfront, a gas boiler is far cheaper: a new boiler is typically about £3,000 fitted, while an air source heat pump is typically £11,000 before the £7,500 government grant, so roughly £3,500 to £6,000 after it. Over time a heat pump can be cheaper to run and is lower-carbon, but the right choice depends on your home, insulation and tariff.
Air source heat pump vs New boiler: the difference
| Factor | How they compare |
|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Boiler wins: about £3,000 fitted, versus about £11,000 before the grant for a heat pump. |
| After grants | The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant narrows the gap to roughly £3,500 to £6,000 net for a heat pump. |
| Running cost | A heat pump delivers around three units of heat per unit of electricity, so it can be cheaper to run, but this depends heavily on tariff and insulation. |
| Best for | Boiler: lowest upfront cost and a like-for-like swap. Heat pump: lower carbon and running cost in a well-insulated home, with the grant. |
Common questions
Not to install: a heat pump costs more upfront even after the £7,500 grant. It can be cheaper to run, but whether it saves money overall depends on your tariff, insulation and how the system is set up.
It narrows the gap a lot. A typical heat pump of £9,000 to £13,000 before the grant works out around £2,500 to £6,000 after, versus about £1,800 to £4,500 for a boiler, so the boiler is usually still cheaper upfront.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.