Grant rules checked against Ofgem on 15 October 2026
How much does an air source heat pump cost to run?
Published and last updated 15 October 2026
An air source heat pump's running cost is your home's yearly heat demand divided by the heat pump's efficiency, multiplied by your electricity price. Under Ofgem's price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026, electricity averages 26.32p per kWh and gas 7.97p per kWh for direct debit customers.
Running cost calculator
Your home's yearly heat demand, efficiency and tariff determine the estimated fuel costs. All inputs are editable.
Find your gas use on your annual statement and multiply by your boiler efficiency. 12,000 kWh is an example, not an average.
Seasonal efficiency: how many units of heat per unit of electricity. Your installer's design states the expected figure.
Ofgem price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, direct debit average
- Yearly heat pump electricity cost
- £1,052.80
- Yearly gas boiler fuel cost
- £1,062.67
- Heat pump compared with gas
- £9.87 less
Standing charges and servicing are excluded from both fuel costs.
Estimates only. Real costs depend on weather, how you use the heating and system design.
What affects heat pump running costs?
The biggest factors are your home's heat loss, how efficiently the system was designed and your electricity tariff.
- Insulation and draught-proofing
- Radiator sizing and flow temperature
- Correct sizing of the unit
- Controls and how you run it
- Tariff choice
Are heat pumps cheaper to run than gas boilers?
They can be, but it isn't guaranteed: a well-designed heat pump on a suitable tariff often matches or beats gas, while a poorly designed one can cost more.
Compare your figures in the running cost calculator.
Do heat pump tariffs help?
Yes. Several suppliers offer tariffs with cheaper electricity at set times, which suit heat pumps because they can heat the home and hot water when power is cheapest.
What about standing charges and servicing?
If you switch fully from gas, you can drop the gas standing charge (29.68p a day under the current cap), but you should budget for an annual heat pump service.
How can you keep running costs down?
Run at low, steady temperatures.
- Use weather compensation
- Heat hot water off-peak
- Keep the outdoor unit clear
- Service yearly
Frequently asked questions
Is it expensive to run a heat pump in winter?
Running costs rise in colder months as with any heating system; a correctly sized heat pump is designed for UK winters.
Should I leave my heat pump on all the time?
Most installers recommend steady, low-temperature running rather than switching on and off.
Does solar PV help?
Solar panels can supply some of the electricity a heat pump uses, mostly in spring and summer.