Home Heating Cost & Comparison Calculator
Calculate and compare annual heating costs for gas central heating, heat pump, electric, and oil. Find the cheapest system for your home size.
Home Heating Guide
UK Heating Energy Costs 2024
Energy unit costs (Ofgem price cap Q1 2024): gas: approximately 6.4p/kWh. Electricity: approximately 28.6p/kWh. Heating oil: approximately 7p/kWh (fluctuates significantly). LPG: approximately 9-12p/kWh. Average UK gas boiler: 85-92% efficiency (condensing). A 3-bed semi-detached house with average insulation: approximately 12,000-14,000 kWh annual heating demand. At 6.4p/kWh gas (90% efficiency): 13,000/0.90 × 6.4p = £924/year. Gas remains the cheapest domestic heating fuel per kWh — but electr
Heat Pump Economics
Heat pumps move heat rather than generate it — using 1 unit of electricity to deliver 2.5-4 units of heat. COP (Coefficient of Performance): a measure of heat pump efficiency. ASHP typical COP: 2.5-3.5 (seasonal average). GSHP: 3.0-4.5. At electricity 28.6p/kWh and COP 3.0: effective heat cost = 28.6/3.0 = 9.5p/kWh. Compare with gas at 6.4p/kWh (90% efficiency) = 7.1p/kWh effective. Heat pumps currently cost more per unit of heat than gas in the UK. This changes if: electricity prices fall relat
Insulation First
The most cost-effective way to reduce heating bills is always to reduce the heating demand first — before changing the heating system. Priority order: loft insulation (if absent): payback 1-2 years, often partially or fully grant-funded. Cavity wall insulation: payback 2-4 years. Double glazing: longer payback (8-15 years) but significant comfort improvement. Draught-proofing: payback under 1 year. Hot water cylinder jacket: payback under 6 months. Heating system improvements: smart thermostat,
Heat Pump Grants
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) 2024: £7,500 grant toward ASHP installation. £7,500 grant toward GSHP. No means-testing — available to any eligible property. To qualify: must be replacing a fossil fuel boiler (gas, oil, LPG). Must be in England or Wales. Must use an MCS-certified installer. Budget: £7,500 covers a significant portion of typical ASHP installation costs (£10,000-15,000 typical for a 3-bed house). After grant: net cost £2,500-7,500 for ASHP. ROI depends on energy price ratio — currentl
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