Heat Pump Running Costs in the UK
A typical UK home spends £500–£1,200 per year running an air source heat pump for heating and hot water. The exact amount depends on your home's size, insulation quality, and your electricity tariff.
At a glance
- Annual running cost
- £500–£1,200
- Average COP
- 2.8–3.5
- Electricity used/year
- 3,000–5,000 kWh
- vs gas boiler
- Similar or cheaper
See what a heat pump would cost to run in your home
Get a personalised running cost estimate based on your property size and insulation.
How heat pump efficiency works
Heat pumps are rated by their Coefficient of Performance (COP). A COP of 3 means for every 1 kWh of electricity used, you get 3 kWh of heat. Most modern air source heat pumps achieve a seasonal average COP of 2.8–3.5 in UK conditions. This is why they're cheaper to run than direct electric heating, which has a COP of 1.
Running costs by home size
Here's what to expect at current electricity prices (around 24p/kWh).
| Home type | Annual cost | Electricity used |
|---|---|---|
| 2-bed flat (well insulated) | £400–£600 | 1,700–2,500 kWh |
| 3-bed semi-detached | £600–£900 | 2,500–3,750 kWh |
| 4-bed detached | £800–£1,200 | 3,300–5,000 kWh |
Compared to other heating systems
Gas boiler: £700–£1,100/year for a typical 3-bed home. Oil boiler: £1,000–£1,800/year. LPG boiler: £1,200–£2,000/year. Direct electric heating: £1,500–£2,500/year. A heat pump at £600–£900/year compares favourably to everything except gas — and even there, the gap is narrowing.
How to keep running costs down
Insulate your home well — this is the single biggest factor. Use a smart thermostat and set it to a consistent temperature rather than turning heat on and off. Consider a time-of-use electricity tariff. And don't turn the heat pump off when you go out — it's more efficient running steadily than reheating a cold house.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a heat pump use per year?
Can I reduce heat pump running costs with a special tariff?
Are heat pumps cheaper to run than gas boilers?
Why does insulation affect heat pump running costs so much?
How we calculate estimates
Our estimates use published data from the Energy Saving Trust, Ofgem tariff caps, and MCS installer pricing. We model savings based on your home size, insulation level, and current heating system. All figures are indicative — your actual costs will depend on your installer's survey and quote.
See what a heat pump would cost to run in your home
Get a personalised running cost estimate based on your property size and insulation.