Choosing between a gas boiler, heat pump, or hybrid system depends on cost, efficiency, and future-proofing.
Gas boilers are cheap to install (£1.8k–£4k), compact and reliable, but rely on fossil fuels and face future regulation risks.
Heat pumps (air/ground source) are highly efficient, low-carbon, and supported by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (£7,500), reducing net costs to ~£5k–£6k. However, they need good insulation, larger radiators/underfloor heating, and higher upfront spend (£10k–£13k pre-grant). Running costs vary: in well-insulated homes replacing old boilers, they can save £200–£350/yr (payback ~7–12 years). Against modern A-rated boilers, savings may be minimal or negative.
Hybrid systems (boiler + heat pump) offer flexibility: the pump handles base load while the boiler covers peaks, lowering risk but adding complexity and cost.
Funding options include BUS, ECO, devolved nation schemes, and supplier finance (e.g. Octopus). Insulation upgrades should be tackled first, often with support from ECO.
Recommendation:
- Stick with gas if you have a modern efficient boiler or tight budget.
- Go heat pump if you can access grants, have insulation, and want to decarbonise long-term.
- Choose hybrid if you want flexibility and staged transition.
