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Heat Pump Savings Calculator

Heat Pump vs Gas Cost Calculator 2026

Compare annual heating cost: heat pump vs gas boiler vs electric resistance. See savings vs gas, break‑even electricity rate, and simple payback. Uses SCOP and boiler efficiency.

Last updated: January 2026 | Free, no sign-up

Break-even rule of thumb

If your heat pump has SCOP = 3.0, then each delivered kWh of heat costs roughly (electricity rate ÷ 3). Compare that to (gas rate ÷ boiler efficiency).

Inputs

This is heat delivered to the home (not purchased energy). If you only know fuel kWh, multiply by efficiency (gas) or by SCOP (heat pump).

Converted gas rate: $0.051/kWh

Use SCOP for bills. Underfloor heating is often higher than standard radiators.

Optional: helps estimate simple payback.

Results

Annual cost — Heat pump

$800

Annual cost — Gas

$835

Comparison

Electric resistance (1:1):$2,400
Savings vs gas:$35

Break-even insights

Break-even electricity rate:$0.17/kWh
SCOP needed to beat gas (given your rates):2.88
Simple payback (if savings > 0):173.0 yrs

Tip

If your home uses high supply temperatures (standard radiators), your real SCOP may be lower. For a sizing + SCOP sanity check, start with low-temperature emitters or consider system improvements.

Calculator inputs stay on your device (local processing).

Disclaimer: All calculators on this website are provided for informational and illustrative purposes only. The results do not constitute professional advice (including legal, tax, financial, medical, or other advice). Despite careful programming, we assume no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the results. For matters requiring professional advice, we recommend consulting an appropriate specialist (e.g., a tax advisor, lawyer, accountant, or physician).

Heat Pump vs Gas Cost Calculator 2026 – How It Works

Compare heat pump vs gas boiler using cost per delivered kWh of heat. This calculator uses SCOP (heat pump) and boiler efficiency (gas) to estimate annual cost, savings, and break-even electricity rate.

How we compare heat pump vs gas (cost per delivered kWh)

The fair comparison is cost per kWh of heat delivered to the home:

  • Heat pump: cost per kWh heat ≈ electricity rate ÷ SCOP (e.g. $0.16 ÷ 3 ≈ $0.053/kWh heat)
  • Gas boiler: cost per kWh heat ≈ gas rate (per kWh) ÷ efficiency (e.g. $0.05/kWh gas ÷ 0.92 ≈ $0.054/kWh heat)
  • Electric resistance: cost ≈ electricity rate ÷ 1 = electricity rate (no efficiency gain)

Annual cost = (cost per kWh heat) × annual heat demand (kWh). The calculator applies this for all three options.

Example: 15,000 kWh heat, $0.16/kWh electricity, $1.50/therm gas, 92% boiler, SCOP 3

Gas rate in $/kWh: $1.50 ÷ 29.3 ≈ $0.051/kWh. Heat pump electricity: 15,000 ÷ 3 = 5,000 kWh. Gas fuel: 15,000 ÷ 0.92 ≈ 16,304 kWh.

Annual cost heat pump: 5,000 × $0.16 = $800. Annual cost gas: 16,304 × $0.051 ≈ $831. Savings vs gas ≈ $31/year. Break-even electricity rate ≈ $0.051 × 3 ÷ 0.92 ≈ $0.166/kWh — above your rate, so the heat pump is cheaper.

Why SCOP depends on your system (supply temperature)

SCOP depends on supply temperature and controls. High supply temperatures (e.g. standard radiators at 60–70°C) reduce heat pump efficiency (lower SCOP). Underfloor heating or oversized radiators keep flow temperatures lower and typically deliver higher SCOP and lower running costs.

Assumptions and limits

The calculator assumes constant efficiency and flat rates. It does not include standing charges, time-of-use tariffs, or subsidies. Break-even and payback are simplified (no discounting). For a binding quote, use your actual bills and an installer or energy advisor.

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Heat Pump vs Gas Calculator – FAQ

Q:How do you compare heat pump vs gas heating cost?

Compare cost per delivered kWh of heat. For a heat pump: cost per kWh heat ≈ electricity rate ÷ SCOP. For gas: cost per kWh heat ≈ gas rate (per kWh) ÷ boiler efficiency. Multiply by your annual heat demand to get annual cost. This calculator does that for you.

Q:Should I use COP or SCOP for annual bills?

Use SCOP (seasonal coefficient of performance). COP is a single operating point and can overstate real-world efficiency. SCOP reflects seasonal average and gives a more realistic estimate for annual energy use and bills.

Q:Why does supply temperature matter for a heat pump?

Higher supply temperatures (e.g. standard radiators at 60–70°C) lower heat pump efficiency and SCOP. Low-temperature systems (underfloor heating or oversized radiators) typically deliver higher SCOP and lower operating costs.

Q:When does a heat pump stop being cheaper than gas?

When electricity is expensive relative to gas or when SCOP is low. Break-even is roughly: electricity rate ÷ SCOP = gas rate ÷ boiler efficiency. The calculator shows your break-even electricity rate and the SCOP needed to beat gas at your current rates.

Q:What is a typical SCOP for a heat pump?

SCOP depends on climate and system. Well-designed low-temperature systems may reach 3.5–4.5. Standard radiators at high supply temperatures often see 2.2–2.8. Use your installer's estimate or product datasheet for your conditions.

Q:How do I find my annual heat demand in kWh?

If you have gas bills, multiply annual gas use (in kWh) by your boiler efficiency to get delivered heat. For oil, use litres × calorific value × efficiency. Heat loss surveys or energy certificates (e.g. EPC) can also provide estimates.