Running costs

Air source heat pump running costs UK

There is no honest single running-cost number for every home. Energy Saving Trust says air source heat pumps generally cost slightly more to run than new gas and oil boilers at current prices, but should save money against many other heating systems.

GOV.UK says heat pumps can produce around three units of heat for each unit of electricity used. Ofgem’s average default-tariff benchmark for 1 April to 30 June 2026 is 24.67p per kWh with a 57.21p daily standing charge. · 4 min read

Air source survey overview ASHP efficiency guide

Current guidance

What the current UK guidance actually says

Energy Saving Trust

Energy Saving Trust says air source heat pumps usually cost a little more to run than new gas and oil boilers at current prices. It also says homes replacing other heating systems should see savings.

GOV.UK

GOV.UK describes heat pumps as highly efficient electric appliances that can deliver about three units of heat for each unit of electricity used. That is why the answer is never just “electricity costs more than gas”.

What that means

Both points can be true at once: the technology is efficient, but the tariff gap still matters. The real running bill depends on the home, the system design, and how the system is controlled.

Bill drivers

What usually moves the bill

Heat demand

The biggest input is still how much heat the property actually needs. Weak heat-loss assumptions, poor insulation context, or optimistic U-values can make a system look cheaper to run on paper than it will be in real life.

System temperature

Emitter sizing, flow temperature, and controls matter fast. A well-set system with the right emitters usually costs less to run than a rushed design that has to lean on higher temperatures to keep rooms warm.

Tariff and hot water

Electricity tariff choice, hot-water strategy, and household usage pattern can all change the bill. That is why “what does a heat pump cost to run?” is the wrong question unless the tariff and usage pattern are on the table too.

Current benchmark

How to use the current UK benchmark properly

Electricity price

Ofgem says the average electricity rate for default-tariff Direct Debit households in England, Scotland, and Wales is 24.67p per kWh for 1 April to 30 June 2026, with a 57.21p daily standing charge.

Grant reality

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme can still cut the upfront install cost by £7,500 for eligible air source heat pump jobs in England and Wales. That improves the buying decision, but it does not change the day-to-day running bill.

Best use

Use the Ofgem rate as a current benchmark, then sense-check it against heat loss, emitter size, controls, and the tariff the household is likely to use. That gives you a serious answer instead of a sales line.

Sources checked on 18 April 2026: Energy Saving Trust: air source heat pumps, GOV.UK: heat pumps explained, Ofgem: energy price cap explained, and GOV.UK: Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The final card is an inference from those sources plus normal heat-pump survey and design practice.

What is an air source heat pump? ASHP efficiency guide Cost of electricity in UK Heat loss calculations Air source survey overview