The heat pump heating cost for a typical three-bedroom UK home averages around £1.40 to £2.40 a day across the year, or roughly £515 to £860 a year, depending on your electricity tariff. Winter days cost more and summer days much less. Below we show how that's worked out, how it compares with other heating systems, and how to lower your energy bills.
Heat pump heating cost per day at a glance
| Day type | Electricity used | Standard tariff (25p) | Heat pump tariff (15p avg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold winter day | 14 to 20 kWh | £3.50 to £5.00 | £2.10 to £3.00 |
| Mild spring/autumn day | 6 to 9 kWh | £1.50 to £2.25 | £0.90 to £1.35 |
| Summer day (hot water only) | 2 to 3 kWh | £0.50 to £0.75 | £0.30 to £0.45 |
| Year-round average | ~9.4 kWh | ~£2.36 | ~£1.41 |
Based on 12,000 kWh of heat a year and a seasonal efficiency (SCOP) of 3.5. Standing charges excluded.
How to work out your own heat pump heating cost
- Find your annual heat demand on your EPC, or estimate it as your yearly gas use × 0.9.
- Divide by your heat pump's SCOP (typically 3 to 4) to get the electricity your heat pump system will use.
- Multiply by your electricity price, then divide by 365 for a daily figure.
Example: 12,000 ÷ 3.5 = 3,430 kWh × £0.25 = £857 a year, or £2.35 a day. On a heat pump tariff averaging 15p, it's £514 a year, or £1.41 a day.
What affects heat pump running costs?
- Efficiency (SCOP): the single biggest factor. A system designed for low flow temperatures with weather compensation might reach a SCOP of 4; a poorly designed one may manage 2.5, costing 60% more to run.
- Your tariff: heat pump and time-of-use tariffs can cut the unit price by a third or more.
- Insulation and heat loss: a draughty home needs more heat, whatever the heating systems.
- Thermostat settings: each degree warmer adds roughly 5 to 10% to the cost.
- Hot water use: large households use more energy for showers and baths.
Heat pump vs other heating systems: cost per day
| Heating system | Efficiency | Fuel price (example) | Approx. cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air source heat pump, heat pump tariff | SCOP 3.5 | 15p/kWh | £1.41 |
| Air source heat pump, standard tariff | SCOP 3.5 | 25p/kWh | £2.36 |
| Ground source heat pump, standard tariff | SCOP 4.2 | 25p/kWh | £1.96 |
| Gas boiler | 90% | 6p/kWh | £2.19 |
| Oil boiler | 85% | 7p/kWh | £2.71 |
| LPG boiler | 85% | 9p/kWh | £3.48 |
| Electric storage heaters | 100% | 25p/kWh | £8.22 |
Gas prices and electricity prices move with the energy price cap, so recheck with your own rates. Switching off gas entirely also removes the gas standing charge, saving roughly 30p a day.
Upfront costs, installation and government grants
Running costs are only half the picture. The upfront costs of an air source heat pump installation are typically £8,000 to £16,000, but the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) takes £7,500 off, so most homes pay £1,500 to £8,000. Other government grants are available in Scotland and for lower-income households. Heat pump pricing varies with the size of the unit, which depends on your home's heat loss. Heating makes up most of UK homes' energy use, so getting the size right matters. See the full cost guide and our heat pump grant guide.
Heat pumps in the UK: why running costs are falling
The number of heat pumps in the UK is growing quickly as more households replace gas, oil and LPG boilers. As that happens, suppliers are launching more heat pump tariffs and installers are getting better at low-temperature design, both of which push down heat pump heating costs. A well-designed system installed today is typically far cheaper to run than early installations were.
Seven ways to cut your heat pump heating cost
- Switch to a heat pump tariff with cheaper off-peak rates; see our heat pump tariff comparison.
- Use weather compensation so the flow temperature drops on milder days.
- Leave it running steadily rather than switching it on and off.
- Heat hot water off-peak, once a day.
- Turn the thermostat down a degree; heat pumps keep rooms evenly warm, so it rarely feels colder.
- Top up insulation: loft insulation and draught-proofing reduce how much heat you need.
- Add solar panels to power the heat pump during the day.
Sources
Grant amounts, VAT rules and eligibility are set by government and the scheme administrators. We check them against these primary sources:
- Energy price cap and standing charges explained (Ofgem)
- Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (GOV.UK)
- Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)
New to the jargon? See the heat pump glossary, or browse the heat pump FAQs.
Written by the GetASHP team. Prices and grant details checked 27 October 2026; always confirm current figures with your installer.
