The short answer
Neither is universally 'better' — it depends on your home. With the £7,500 grant, a heat pump's upfront cost can be comparable to a premium boiler, and it's far more efficient per unit of energy. A gas boiler is usually cheaper to install outright and simpler in a poorly insulated home. A heat pump suits a reasonably insulated home, removes on-site fossil-fuel burning, and may cut running costs depending on tariffs. The decision turns on your insulation, radiators, upfront budget and the electricity-to-gas price gap.
The honest comparison isn't 'which is best' but 'which is best for your home'. Here's how they stack up on the things that matter.
Side by side
- Upfront (with grant)heat pump comparable to premium boiler
- Efficiencyheat pump ~3x; boiler <1x
- Best suited toheat pump: insulated homes
- Lifespanheat pump often 15–20+ yrs
- On-site emissionsheat pump: none
Cost and running cost
A new gas boiler is typically cheaper to install with no survey needed. A heat pump costs more outright but the £7,500 grant closes much of that gap. On running costs, a heat pump's efficiency means it can be cheaper to run than gas — but only if the home is suitable and the system is well designed and on a sensible electricity tariff. In a poorly insulated home with no radiator upgrades, a heat pump can run expensively.
| Factor | Heat pump | Gas boiler |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront (after grant) | comparable to premium boiler | lower |
| Efficiency | around 300% | around 90% |
| On-site emissions | none | yes |
| Best home | reasonably insulated | any, incl. poorly insulated |
General comparison for guidance. Your outcome depends on your home, tariff and system design.
Which should you choose?
If your home is reasonably insulated, you value lower on-site emissions, and you can use the grant, a heat pump is well worth assessing. If your home is hard to insulate, your budget is tight, or you need a fast like-for-like swap, a modern gas boiler may suit better for now. A heat-loss survey is the only way to know which genuinely works for your property.
Find out which suits your home
We'll match you with an MCS-certified installer who carries out a heat-loss survey and gives you an honest heat-pump-versus-boiler view for your property.
Frequently asked questions
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than a gas boiler?
It can be, because it's far more efficient per unit of energy. But the outcome depends on your insulation, system design and the electricity-to-gas price gap. In a suitable, well-designed setup it can beat gas; in a poorly insulated home it may not.
Is a heat pump or boiler cheaper to install?
A gas boiler is usually cheaper to install outright. A heat pump costs more, but the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant brings the upfront cost close to a premium boiler for many homes.
Which lasts longer?
Heat pumps often last 15–20 years or more with servicing, comparable to or longer than a gas boiler. Both need regular maintenance.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific home. They are guidance, not a quotation or guaranteed saving.