Why swap a gas boiler for a heat pump?
Heating our homes is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in the UK, with gas boilers responsible for millions of tonnes of CO2 every year. In fact, the average household gas boiler emits more CO2-equivalent emissions than taking seven transatlantic flights. And that’s not over the course of it’s lifetime – that’s every single year.
Heat pumps offer a proven alternative. Keep reading to find out: what are the main benefits of switching to a heat pump?
Heat pumps have a much lower carbon footprint than gas boilers
Gas boiler: Every time gas boilers fire up, they burn fossil fuels, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Heat pump: Heat pumps use electricity to capture heat energy and transfer it to your home. If you power your heat pump with a standard electricity tariff, it will cut your home’s carbon footprint by 65% compared with a gas boiler. This drops even further if you’re on a 100% renewable electricity tariff, or if you have solar panels.
Heat pumps are 3-4 times more efficient than gas boilers
Gas boiler: Even the most modern gas boilers waste energy, with efficiency rates averaging around 90%. This means that some the fuel you’re paying for is wasted.
Heat pump: As they capture heat energy from the air, heat pumps are much more efficient than gas boilers, delivering three or more units of heat for every one unit of electricity they use.
And the way we install our heat pumps makes them especially efficient – achieving a year-round average of 360%, giving you more warmth from less energy.
Heat pumps have lower running costs than gas boilers
Because of their high efficiency, heat pumps actually have lower running costs than gas boilers, despite the unit rate of gas being lower. You can save over £120 a year by removing gas standing charges alone.
When paired with a specialised heat pump tariff or solar panels, heat pump running costs can be brought down even more.
Heat pumps offer consistent comfort, whatever the weather
Gas boiler: Working in bursts, boilers usually wait for your home to dip below a certain temperature to turn on, then switch off once the thermostat catches up. This often leads to uneven temperatures which leave you getting chilly and checking your thermostat often.
Heat pump: Heat pumps work best when maintaining a consistent, steady warmth so your home always feels cosy whatever the weather. They run quietly in the background and can be easily adjusted remotely from your mobile or tablet for smart climate control.
I enjoy the gentle warmth of my heat pump. It really is much nicer than radiators blasting out heat.
– Gabrielle, Halesworth
Heat pumps are better for your health than gas boilers
Gas boiler: Burning gas inside your home produces nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants, which means gas boilers can affect indoor air quality. They also come with the potential safety risk of carbon monoxide leaks.
Heat pump: Because heat pumps don’t burn fuel, they don’t release any harmful gases into your home. That means cleaner indoor air and no carbon monoxide risk.
Heat pumps need less maintenance than gas boilers
Gas boiler: Because they rely on combustion, every time a gas boiler fires up, gas is burned in a combustion chamber which produces very high temperatures. Over years of use, this constant cycle causes stress on critical components, making them more likely to suffer breakdowns compared to heat pumps.
Heat pump: With no combustion and fewer moving parts, heat pumps typically need less frequent maintenance and are considered more reliable. They also have a longer lifespan of 15-20 year.
At Good Energy, we can also provide remote monitoring and diagnostics, allowing us to detect issues quickly – and in many cases, get your system running again without the need for a call-out. Overall, that means fewer call-outs, fewer unexpected bills, and greater reliability for your home.
Heat pumps work alongside solar panels
Running a heat pump on grid electricity is already far cleaner than burning gas. But combine it with solar panels and you can generate much of that electricity yourself, cutting bills as well as carbon. In the daytime, your panels can power your heating directly. And, with a battery, you can store excess solar to run your heat pump in the evening or on cloudy days.
With or without solar panels, the Good Energy Heat Pump fixed tariff helps keep running costs down by giving you lower prices at the times when heat pumps typically use the most electricity. So whether you’re powering your system from your roof or the grid, you’ll know your home is being heated with 100% renewable electricity at the best value we can offer.
Switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump
Swapping a gas boiler for a heat pump is one of the most effective ways to cut carbon and create a more efficient, reliable heating system for your home. Plus, you can get £7,500 in grant support to help make the upgrade more affordable.
