Are Heat Pumps Still Cheaper Than Gas?

For years, homeowners have been told a simple message:

Heat pumps are cheaper to run than gas boilers.

And for a while, that was often true — especially during the energy crisis when gas prices were sky-high. But energy prices change, and so does the maths.

After living with a heat pump for two winters, I decided to stop relying on assumptions, averages, and installer spreadsheets — and instead look at real data from my own home.

What I found surprised me.

Why this question matters right now

Gas prices today are very different from where they were just a couple of years ago. Wholesale prices have fallen sharply, and that’s flowed through to household tariffs.

At the same time, electricity prices remain high, particularly during peak hours. That matters a lot for heat pumps, which use a significant amount of electricity in the coldest months — exactly when demand and prices are highest.

So the obvious question becomes:

Are heat pumps still cheaper to run than gas, right now, for a typical home?

I didn’t want opinions — I wanted data

Rather than guessing, I analysed:

• A full winter month of energy use

• Half-hourly smart-meter data

• Direct measurements of my heat pump’s electricity consumption

• Current UK gas prices

• And realistic electricity tariffs, including heat-pump-specific ones

  
  

This isn’t theoretical modelling or best-case scenarios. It’s based on what actually happened in my house.

I also looked at things like:

• Load shifting

• Time-of-use tariffs

• And how much difference solar panels and batteries really make

  
  

But instead of dumping all the numbers here, I’ve laid everything out clearly in the video.

The short version (without spoiling it)

Heat pumps absolutely work.They’re comfortable, efficient, and great for decarbonising homes.

But the idea that they are automatically cheaper than gas no longer holds true in every situation.

In fact, without solar panels, batteries, or access to very cheap off-peak electricity, the running-cost advantage many people expect can disappear — especially in winter.

That doesn’t mean heat pumps are a bad idea .It means the story is more nuanced than it’s often presented.

Why the setup matters more than the heat pump

One of the biggest takeaways from my analysis is this:

Heat pumps don’t save money on their own — systems do.

Tariffs, storage, timing, and how energy is bought and used matter just as much as the heat pump itself. If you’re considering one purely to cut bills, those details are critical.

And they’re rarely discussed properly.

Watch the full breakdown

Rather than oversimplifying the conclusions here, I’ve put the full analysis — charts, comparisons, and real numbers — into the video.

🎥 Watch the video here:👉 Gas Is Still Cheaper? Heat Pumps vs Gas Using My Real Data

If you’re thinking about installing a heat pump, already have one, or just want to understand how today’s energy prices really affect running costs, the video will give you the full picture.

No hype No scare stories. Just real data and honest conclusions.

Have questions or a different setup? I’m always interested in comparing real-world experiences — especially when the numbers are shared openly.