By the end of this decade, gas boilers will be banned in new homes with almost all having a heat pump, or other green alternative, installed instead – usually at the expense of developers before the property is sold.
One of the main obstacles of having a heat pump installed currently is the price, which is prohibitive to many. This is likely to fall in the future, thanks to advances in technology and as production is scaled up.
However, gas boilers will still cost less.
Air source heat pumps tend to cost between £14,000 and £19,000 to install, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Ground source heat pumps cost between £28,000 and £34,000 to install, depending on how you install the pipes.
Meanwhile, the average gas boiler cost for supply and installation is £3,000.
How much help can you get towards the cost of heat pumps?
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Read MoreScottish homes have access to similar levels of funding through Home Energy Scotland, which can help consumers reduce the cost of installing a heat pump.
This is important as some homeowners have to pay for improved insulation and replacement radiators to make sure the system works efficiently.
Help includes providing free insulation such as cavity wall and loft insulation or even a new boiler.
A Checkatrade spokesperson said: “By combining these grants, households can significantly reduce the upfront costs of making their homes more energy efficient and eco-friendly.
Increased competition among manufacturers and further subsidies could also contribute to reductions in prices.
If the subsidies remain in place as the cost of buying a heat pump from energy firms reduces, it may be possible to get one for far cheaper than you can now.
With a £7,500 grant, then you may be able to get a pump for £3,750.
With British Gas, it will cost from £1,199 with the grant and from £3,500 with Eon Energy.
Despite the savings, the cost of installing a gas boiler is still likely to be cheaper as it averages around £3,000 now.
How much could you save on energy bills?
For a typical household, switching to a heat pump could save up to £1,000 annually on energy bills, particularly as gas prices remain volatile, according to Checkatrade.
Emily Seymour, Which? Energy Editor, said: “Whether you’ll save money with a heat pump depends on your individual circumstances and your home. In a well-insulated house, a heat pump could save you money on your annual energy bills – especially if you use a heat pump optimised electricity tariff.”
Do experts think there should be more help with subsidies?
Air source heat pump installations grew 57 per cent after the grant increase between October 2023 and March 2024, according to home insurer Saga which analysed Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) data.
A Checkatrade spokesperson said: “Additional subsidies would certainly serve to make heat pumps accessible to more households and accelerate adoption.
“Expanding public awareness campaigns about the existing subsidies is also crucial to ensure more people can take advantage of them.”
This would end gas boiler installations in new homes and significantly increase the demand for heat pumps, allowing companies to invest and scale up production, helping bring down costs.
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