Thinking about replacing your boiler with an air source heat pump? Here are some key considerations
Choosing between an air source heat pump (ASHP) or a new boiler depends on your unique circumstances and the characteristics of your property. There’s also your long-term energy-saving aspirations to bear in mind and, of course, your budget.
At Baxi, we’re here to help you make the right decision for you and your household when looking at a new heating system.
Read on for more about:
Comparing boiler and heat pump efficiency
The costs associated with a heat pump versus a boiler
Whether a boiler or heat pump is better suited for your home
Installation and long-term planning for boilers and heat pumps
Using a boiler and heat pump together
Boiler or heat pump: which is more efficient?
Modern boilers, like the ones we install here at Baxi, are designed to be energy efficient. You can use a boiler’s Energy Performance Certificate rating (EPC) to get an idea of just how efficient it is on a scale from A (extremely efficient) to G (least efficient) and for heat pumps, the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance score is a good metric to understand how efficient it will be throughout the course of a given year.
A heat pump is generally around 2.5 to 3.5 times more efficient than a traditional gas boiler, in many cases operating between 300% - 400% efficiency. By comparison, boilers with an EPC rating of A typically operate at about 93-94% efficiency.
Because heat pumps use ambient heat that is already present in the air rather than fossil fuels, you can save on your energy usage while still having your home at a comfortable temperature.
Boiler or heat pump: what are the costs?
The overall cost of either a boiler or an ASHP will vary according to specific aspects, including but certainly not limited to:
- Your average energy use
- Your existing pipework
- The make and model of the boiler or heat pump
- How well-insulated your home is
For heat pumps, certain modifications to your heating system may be needed to make it suitable for the lower temperatures that a heat pump works at, which may lead to a higher installation cost. That said, ASHPs use less energy than a traditional boiler setup, meaning that the long-term running costs of the former are often less. You may also be eligible to receive funding from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Boiler or heat pump: which is best suited for your home?
Though heat pumps are suitable for most property types, there may be instances where a boiler may be a more practical option. For example, if you have limited space for a heat pump’s outdoor unit to be situated, a new energy-efficient boiler may be the more practical option. You might also need to check for any specific regulations to be aware of, especially if your home is in a natural area.
Your heating and hot water use will also determine the suitability of both boilers and heat pumps. Homes that have high hot water demand but restricted indoor space for a new cylinder and narrow alleyways outside, for example, may benefit from a combi boiler, which provides constant performance but without the complications of having to find a spare cupboard for a cylinder or take up outdoor space with a heat pump.
Having said that, heat pump systems that have been designed correctly and have a compatible hot water cylinder are meant to be practical and deliver a suitable level of performance to meet your heating and hot water needs
Boiler or heat pump: what are the installation and long-term considerations?
When it comes to deciding on whether to update your system to a new boiler or an air source heat pump, taking a long-term view is just as important as the immediate considerations like the ones we’ve referenced throughout this article.
As we mentioned before, while the installation costs of a heat pump are higher than a boiler, the efficiency and lower running costs of a heat pump can result in long-term cost saving benefits. With most of us wanting to do our part on contributing to emission reductions, while also saving on bills, heat pumps can be a great solution for both.
It’s worth mentioning that if you’re planning renovations or modifications to your home at a later stage, it may not be possible to relocate an ASHP, however the pipework could be modified to suit the renovation. Investing in an energy efficient electric boiler can be an option.
Using a boiler and heat pump together
It is possible to use a boiler and a heat pump together in a hybrid system, where the heat pump does most of the work but with the support of the gas boiler during exceptionally high demand or during extremely low temperatures. This gives you added reassurance that the boiler is there when it is needed, especially during mid-winter. For the majority of the year, however, the heat pump produces heating with greater efficiency and a lower running cost giving you peace of mind.
Just as you would any new heating system, it’s important to check with your installer that it will be suitable for your needs and if it will be compatible with your property.
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