The UK's Plain-English Heat Pump Guide
Independent advice to help you decide if a heat pump is right for your home. No jargon. No sales calls. Just honest answers.
A heat pump heats your home by extracting warmth from the outdoor air or ground. For every unit of electricity it uses, it produces around 3 units of heat — making it roughly three times more efficient than a gas boiler. With the UK government's £7,500 BUS grant, an air source heat pump can cost as little as £500 after the subsidy.
Heat pumps at a glance
£500–£7,500
Net cost after BUS grant
Source: MCS / Ofgem 2026
£200–£1,200
Annual saving vs gas/oil
Source: Energy Saving Trust
3.2x
Efficiency (COP)
Source: MCS data
20–25 yrs
Heat pump lifespan
Source: Energy Saving Trust
How heat pumps compare
| Heat Pump | Gas Boiler | Oil Boiler | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation cost | £500–£7,500 (after grant) | £2,000–£4,000 | £3,000–£5,000 |
| Annual running cost (3-bed semi) | £500–£800 | £800–£1,100 | £1,200–£1,800 |
| Efficiency | 300–350% (COP 3–3.5) | 90% | 85% |
| Lifespan | 20–25 years | 12–15 years | 15–20 years |
| Government grant | £7,500 BUS grant | None | None |
| Carbon emissions | Low (decreasing as grid greens) | High | Very high |
How does a heat pump work?
A heat pump works like a fridge in reverse. Even when it's cold outside, there's heat energy in the air. The heat pump captures this energy, concentrates it, and uses it to warm your radiators, underfloor heating, and hot water.
Air source heat pumps are the most common type. They have an outdoor unit (about the size of a large suitcase) that sits in your garden. They work efficiently in temperatures as low as -20°C.
Ground source heat pumps extract heat from the ground via buried pipes. They're more efficient but cost more to install. They suit larger properties with available garden space.
How a Heat Pump Works
Outdoor unit absorbs heat from air
Even at temperatures as low as -20°C
Compressor increases temperature
Electricity powers the compression cycle
Heat exchanger transfers warmth to water
Hot refrigerant heats your water supply
Warm water flows to radiators & hot water
Your home stays warm at 20°C+
For every 1 unit of electricity used, a heat pump produces approximately 3 units of heat.
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Home Heat Pump Guide is an independent information service. We are not installers. We never make sales calls. Our job is to give you honest, clear information so you can make the best decision for your home.