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You will now find gas boilers installed in most homes across the UK, but that doesn’t mean this is good for you. In this article, we will discuss a specific heat pump in comparison to a gas boiler in an attempt to determine which energy systems may be beneficial for your home.
However, the truth is that acquiring a heat pump for your home will be moderately expensive. To avoid being ripped off while obtaining our heating system upgrade, you will need to hear from other installers about their prices.
Rather than spending your valuable time and maybe even days, researching heat pump installers, let us connect you with up to 4 local heat pump installers from our list of qualified companies. You simply have to complete our 30-second form or pick your zip code, and then wait while professional ECO4 installers contact you with free and no-obligation heat pump estimates.
Gas Boilers vs Heat Pumps
However, the two devices are used in heating, and with the gas boilers and heat pumps there exists a little difference in their performance. The majority of such distinctions concern the impact of these systems on the external environment and the annual costs of the mentioned systems. Take a look below to find out more about heat pumps vs gas boilers. The result of this comparison is shown in the table below:
Gas Boilers vs Heat Pumps Comparison
Specifications | Gas Boilers | Heat Pumps |
Type of energy provided | Heating | Heating and cooling |
Power output range | 24 – 40kW | 2 – 16kW |
Efficiency | Up to 95% | Up to 400% |
Carbon emissions | 2,500kg | 850kg |
Supply costs | £500 – £3,500 | £2,400 – £19,000 |
Annual running costs | £615 – £1,795 | £550 – £1,100 |
Installation Process Compared
If you examine the real build technique of a gasoline boiler with the construct approach of a heat pump, the build method of a fuel boiler is messier than that of a heat pump. However, from the time point of view, a heat pump might take a slightly longer time to put in and this depends upon the type of heat pump.
The period of an air supply warmness pump or a floor supply warmth pump can also require something from 2 to five days. It is extra handy to get an air source warmness pump compared to getting a ground-source warmth pump, the amount of time it’ll take to complete the strategies may also rely on the form of the gadget to be mounted.
Though it may sound a little long, 2-5 days, the comfort of home will not be impacted greatly by this determinant. This is due to the main fact that most of the heat pump installation is done outdoors.
The installation of a gas boiler on the other hand proves to cause a lot of jolts. The time taken to complete the installation depends on the project complexity and the type of boiler being installed; combi, system, or conventional boilers may take about 1-3 days. This part will involve the installer being inside your home, and the process is loud and invasive at this stage.
Therefore if you are between a heat pump and a gas boiler in your heating options the process of installation is something that can be considered. All in all, a heat pump’s installation is slightly less complex than that of a gas boiler and it would be less disruptive to your home’s comfort.
Heat Pump vs Gas Boiler Annual Running Costs
Household Size | Estimated Annual Energy Demand | Estimated Annual Running Costs of Gas Boilers | Estimated Annual Running Costs of Air Source Heat Pumps | Estimated Annual Running Costs of Ground Source Heat Pumps |
1 bedroom | 8,000 kWh | £595 | £730 | £615 |
2-3 bedrooms | 12,000 kWh | £850 | £1,135 | £930 |
4+ bedrooms | 17,000 kWh | £1,270 | £1,380 | £1,270 |
To ensure that you understand how much it will cost you yearly to operate your gas boiler or heat pump depends on the efficiency of your system. The projections cited above are on the assumption of high efficiency (A-Class boilers and heat pump COP 3.5 & 4). The key factor controlling the annual cost savings to running costs is the efficiency of the system you end up implementing.
Indeed, one can make the running cost of a heat pump even less than the costs indicated above by integrating a heat pump with a solar system. That way, if you choose to install a heat pump and use solar power as your electricity source for the heat pump saving on electricity costs is indeed expensive at times.
So, though heat pumps may be costlier when it comes to supplied price and installation it proves to be more cost-effective in the long run as their running cost is lower than that of gas boilers.
Performance Compared
Boilers usually last for around 10-15 years. It also anticipates that the lifespan of heat pumps is as equally long. That is the only difference between heat pumps and gas boilers for their performance; the frequency of service. While gas boilers, in optimal conditions, may need an annual check-up, heat pumps should be checked about once every two to three years.
The other factor that has to be taken into consideration while comparing the efficiency of heat pumps and gas boilers is known conditions. In the UK, both energy systems are able to work properly.
Nevertheless, there are situations in which the functioning of heat pumps is dependent on adverse weather conditions. This is especially true concerning air source heat pumps which are a type of heat pump that does not perform so well in cold environments. This is not much of a problem in the UK because the winter is not too severe to cause strain on your heat pump.
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Can I get a heat pump for my home?
The first thing that you need to decide is if there is enough space for a heat pump. Other examples include the ground source heat pumps which take much space to be installed. Space requirements are also important as they apply to air source heat pumps as well. You may be pleased to hear that they mostly call for outdoors, while the indoor elements of heat pumps are quite compact.
Another thing you are going to have to do is make sure that your house is already insulated before you can obtain insulation for your heat pump. This section of the house must also be insulated well, otherwise, the heat pump will have a tough time either heating or cooling your home, thus the high electricity bills. Besides, there are other conditions through which homeowners might realize they cannot access heat pump grants, for instance, poor insulation of your home.
It’s also something that you will need to look at before getting a heat pump for your home would be the EPC rating. This is necessary before approaching a consultant who installs heat pumps mainly because it shows that your home is well-insulated and energy-efficient.
After considering these aspects, you are prepared to call an installer and go forward with installing a heat pump.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, heat pumps typically produce lower carbon emissions compared to gas boilers, making them a greener choice.
Both heat pumps and gas boilers generally last between 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance.
The installation cost of a heat pump ranges from £2,400 to £19,000, while gas boilers typically cost between £500 and £3,500.
Heat pumps need servicing every 2-3 years, while gas boilers generally require annual checks.
