Live index · Oct to Dec 2026 price cap
Heat pump vs gas boiler running costs in the UK
At the Oct to Dec 2026 Ofgem price cap, a heat pump costs less to run than a gas boiler once its seasonal efficiency (SCOP) is above 2.97. A typical home pays about £917 a year in gas for heating and hot water, against £681 with a heat pump at a SCOP of 4.0.
Annual running cost, now
| Heating system | Energy used a year | Cost a year | vs gas boiler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas boiler (90% efficient) | 11,500 kWh gas | £917 | baseline |
| Heat pump, SCOP 3.0 | 3,450 kWh electricity | £908 | £9 cheaper |
| Heat pump, SCOP 3.5 | 2,957 kWh electricity | £778 | £138 cheaper |
| Heat pump, SCOP 4.0 | 2,588 kWh electricity | £681 | £236 cheaper |
Typical home: Ofgem's medium gas use of 11,500 kWh a year, which is 10,350 kWh of heat from a 90% efficient boiler. Unit rates only: going fully electric also removes the gas standing charge, which this table leaves out. Heat pump tariffs with cheaper off-peak rates lower the heat pump figures further.
The index, quarter by quarter
| Price cap | Electricity / gas (p/kWh) | Price ratio | Break-even SCOP | Gas boiler a year | Heat pump at SCOP 3.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct to Dec 2026 | 26.32 / 7.97 | 3.30 | 2.97 | £917 | £778 |
| Jul to Sep 2026 | 26.11 / 7.33 | 3.56 | 3.21 | £843 | £772 |
| Apr to Jun 2026 | 24.67 / 5.74 | 4.30 | 3.87 | £660 | £730 |
Source: Ofgem energy price cap, direct-debit average unit rates for Great Britain. Updated when Ofgem announces each new cap. Free to cite with a link to this page.
How to read it
- The break-even SCOP is the electricity price divided by the cost of a unit of heat from gas. Below it, gas is cheaper to run; above it, the heat pump wins.
- SCOP depends on the installation: flow temperature, radiator sizing and controls matter as much as the model. Compare models on our most efficient ranking.
- Upfront cost is a separate question: the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant comes off the installed price in England and Wales.
Where are you?
See indicative costs and local installers for your area