Boilers vs Heat Pumps
In this article we compare traditional fossil fuel burning boilers to Air Source Heat Pumps.
Currently in the UK, little is known about the benefits of installing an air source heat pump. We are woefully behind our European cousins when it comes to the future of heating our homes, so here’s a simple comparison of the 4 factors that matter most to help you to chose the best way to heat your home:
- Which is the most efficient and which will save you money?
- How long do they last?
- How much do they cost to install?
- How much do they cost to run?
Efficiency
Boiler:
A modern boiler can be up to 92% efficient, whereas the older models that are in most homes will be around 50-75% efficient. To put it simply, energy wasted is money wasted.
Heat Pump:
Air Source Heat Pumps are around 300% efficient. Which means that you could make considerable savings.
You might be wondering how something can be 300% efficient. This figure reflects the amount of energy that goes in a system compared to the amount of heat energy that comes out.
If you put 1KW of Gas or Oil into a boiler it’ll give you 0.9kW of heat. This equals 90% efficiency
If you put 1KW of Electricity into an ASHP it’ll give you 3kW of heat. This equals 300% efficiency. Source Greenmatch
Life Span and Maintenance
Boiler:
Typically, a Gas or Oil boiler will last 8 – 12 years with regular service and maintenance.
A yearly emissions check is required to ensure against the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from a boiler. In addition to this, you should have a Carbon Monoxide alarm installed in your home for your family’s safety.
Oil boilers can require additional maintenance when they run out of fuel as they require an engineer to call and bleed the system before it’ll work again. This can leave you without central heating for up to 4 days.
Heat Pump:
A Good quality Air Source Heat Pump Can Last Up to 25 years. Since they have very few moving parts its recommended that you have it serviced once a year however it is not always necessary.
A visual check and external clean carried out by the homeowner is often sufficient.
Since an Air Source Heat Pumps does not burn fossil fuel, there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and no need for any kind of alarm system in your home.
Installation Cost
Boiler:
On average, the installation cost of a replacement boiler is between £2,500-£4,500, depending on the type and size of the boiler, whether any additional work is required, and the labour involved.
Heat pump:
The initial capital outlay for an Air Source Heat Pump is higher than a boiler, with the average cost being around £12,000+. However, the new government incentive BUS (Boiler Upgrade Scheme) means you can now save £5,000 off your upfront costs bringing the cost down to £7000+.
Running Cost
Boiler:
Fossil fuels have sky-rocketed in price and continue to fluctuate wildly at times.
Heat pump:
With a heat pump you’re not burning any fuel, you’re merely using electricity to power a compressor within the Heat Pump unit. The actual heat energy is collected from the cost-free air outdoors.
Due to the coefficient of performance being over 1:3, resulting in more than 3kW of heat being produced for every 1kW of electricity consumed, you can expect savings of between 40-75% compared to fossil fuels.
Is there a winner?
When it comes down to the factors that matter most, a heat pump comes out on top every time. Especially when combined with the benefit of saving £5,000 upfront with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).
The running costs of a heat pump are significantly lower than any other heating system. Its lifespan exceeds that of a boiler and rarely needs to be serviced. Since it burns no fossil fuels there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning either.
To top it off, the government has issued a ban on all new boilers from 2025. This means that if you choose to get a boiler, by 2025 parts will become scarce and repairs more expensive, leading to an even higher running cost.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01255 821443. Alternatively, you can fill out a call-back request form and a member of the team will be in touch.