Energy and green upgrades
Heat pump vs gas boiler: which is right for your home?
A gas boiler is cheaper to fit and familiar, while a heat pump costs more upfront but is lower-carbon and is supported by the 7,500 pound Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant in England and Wales. A heat pump suits a reasonably insulated home; a boiler may still suit homes not yet ready to switch.
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Get matchedWhat it is
This page compares the two main ways to heat a UK home in 2026: a conventional gas boiler and an air source heat pump. They differ in upfront cost, grants, running cost, carbon emissions and the kind of home each suits.
How it works
A gas boiler burns mains gas to heat water for radiators and taps. A heat pump uses electricity to move heat from the outside air, delivering more heat energy than the electricity it consumes. The table below sets the two side by side.
Who it is for
- Choose a heat pump if your home is reasonably insulated, you have outdoor space and you want the grant and lower carbon emissions.
- A gas boiler may still suit a home that is not yet ready for the switch, though it does not attract a grant and is higher-carbon.
Grants and savings
- Heat pumps qualify for the 7,500 pound Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant in England and Wales; gas boilers do not (gov.uk).
- Qualifying heat pumps carry 0 percent VAT until 31 March 2027 (gov.uk).
- Heat pump running cost depends heavily on your electricity tariff and system design; compare both before deciding.
Heat pump vs gas boiler at a glance (UK, 2026)
| Factor | Air source heat pump | Gas boiler |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Higher (get a quote) | Lower (get a quote) |
| Grant support | 7,500 pounds Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales) | No equivalent grant |
| VAT | 0% until 31 March 2027 | Standard rules apply |
| Carbon emissions | Lower, and falls as the grid decarbonises | Higher, burns fossil gas |
| Best suited to | Reasonably insulated homes, space for an outdoor unit | Homes not yet ready to switch |
| Accreditation for grant | MCS-certified installer required | Gas Safe registered engineer |
How to choose a vetted installer
- A heat pump for the grant must be fitted by an MCS-certified installer; a gas boiler must be fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- For a heat pump, ask for the heat-loss survey and flow temperature; for a boiler, confirm the engineer's Gas Safe registration number.
- Get three quotes whichever route you choose, and compare what each includes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a heat pump or a gas boiler cheaper?
A gas boiler is cheaper to fit. A heat pump costs more upfront but is reduced by the 7,500 pound Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant in England and Wales and can be competitive to run. The right choice depends on your home, insulation and electricity tariff.
Can any home have a heat pump instead of a boiler?
Most homes can, especially reasonably insulated ones with outdoor space for the unit. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme no longer requires all recommended insulation to be done first. A heat-loss survey from an MCS-certified installer confirms what your home needs.
Will a heat pump keep my home as warm as a gas boiler?
Yes, when it is designed and sized correctly. Heat pumps run at a lower flow temperature over longer periods, so radiators may need to be larger. A proper heat-loss survey ensures the system keeps your home comfortable in cold weather.
Sources
Editor, Sorted Property
Oliver leads Sorted Property's editorial coverage of UK home services. He researches and writes the plain-English guides that help homeowners choose between installers and trades, drawing on the standards set by bodies such as MCS, TrustMark, the Energy Saving Trust and the Property Care Association, and is clear about what to check before any work starts.
Last reviewed: 11 June 2026