Heat Pumps Could Save UK Homeowners Up To 70% On Heating Costs Amid Ongoing Energy Crisis

Peter Beighton, Managing Director of heat pump specialist Trianco, addresses current energy costs

As UK households continue to face rising energy bills, new analysis highlights how switching to an air‑source heat pump could dramatically cut heating costs - by as much as 60 - 70% compared with electric heaters - while providing a more efficient and sustainable long‑term solution.

Heating oil users have recently experienced some of the most dramatic cost increases. MoneySavingExpert reports that thousands of households have seen prices more than double in just a week, rising from the usual 55 - 65p per litre to £1.20 - £1.45 per litre, with some quotes reaching £1.55 or more. This rapid escalation has placed significant strain on rural and off‑grid homes, underscoring how exposed oil‑heated properties are to sudden global price movements - and why many homeowners are now exploring more stable long‑term alternatives such as heat pumps.

Heat pumps: the most cost‑efficient heating option in the UK

Modern heat pumps operate at around 300% efficiency, meaning they produce three units of heat for every one unit of electricity used. By comparison, electric heaters are 100% efficient, producing just one unit of heat from the same amount of power.

A simple way to understand the saving:

Spend £1 on electricity with an electric heater → 1 unit of heat

Spend £1 on electricity with a heat pump → 3 units of heat

To get the same warmth:

Electric heaters cost £3

A heat pump costs £1

This is why heat pumps can deliver around 66 - 70% lower running costs than electric heating.

Designed to run efficiently 24/7

Heat pumps work best when running continuously at a low setting, unlike gas boilers that switch on and off. They automatically adjust their output based on the outdoor temperature, keeping homes comfortable while using far less energy.

Many energy suppliers now offer heat pump‑specific tariffs, allowing households to heat water or run the system during cheap off‑peak hours. Upcoming technology upgrades will even allow homeowners to tell the heat pump which tariff they’re on so the system can optimise performance automatically. In a reasonably insulated home, this combination of high efficiency and tariff‑smart operation makes a heat pump the lowest‑cost heating option currently available.

Installation costs lower than expected

Government support is making heat pumps more accessible. Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, homeowners can receive a £7,500 grant, claimed on their behalf by the installer.

This means:

Some one-to-two-bedroom homes can have a heat pump installed at no cost, as the grant often covers both the unit and installation. For a typical 4‑bedroom home, the remaining cost after the grant would be around £3,000 - £4,000. Given the potential for long‑term energy savings, many households can recover this investment quicker than expected.

A smart, cost‑cutting solution for rising energy bills

As energy prices remain unpredictable, heat pumps offer one of the simplest and most effective ways for UK households to regain control of their heating costs. Their ability to deliver three times more heat for the same electricity makes them uniquely suited to the current energy landscape. In today’s energy crisis, a heat pump isn’t just greener - it’s one of the smartest financial decisions a homeowner can make. For further information, call 0114 2572300 or visit https://trianco.co.uk