HeatPumpSwitch › By house type › a 1976-1990 terraced house
Heat pump vs gas boiler: a 1976-1990 terraced house
A worked example with this building's own numbers, not an average. Everything below is calculated from the assumptions listed with it, and you can change any of them in the calculator.
Assumptions behind these figures
- House: terraced house, 1976-1990, 85 m²
- Space-heat demand as found 115 kWh/m²/yr
- SCOP 3.4 @ 45 °C
- Assumed existing boiler efficiency 82 %
- Ofgem energy price cap, 1 July – 30 September 2026 (direct debit, average). Oil/LPG/coal are editable estimates, not primary-sourced.
- Capital cost £13,000
- Simple payback: no discount rate, no fuel-price inflation, no maintenance difference. Figures are calculations, not quotes.
Fabric and demand
| Treated floor area | 85 m² |
| Space-heat demand as found | 115 kWh/m²/yr |
| Annual space heating | 8,309 kWh |
| Hot water | 1,800 kWh |
| Total delivered heat | 10,109 kWh |
| Implied heat loss | 4.6 kW |
| Assumed design flow temperature | 45 °C |
| Assumed SCOP | 3.4 |
| Assumed existing boiler efficiency | 82 % |
How these numbers were produced
- Delivered heat needed: 8,309 kWh (space) + 1,800 kWh (hot water) = 10,109 kWh
- Fuel energy at 82 % seasonal efficiency: 10,109 ÷ 0.82 = 12,328 kWh
- Current annual cost: 12,328 kWh × £0.0733 + £315 standing charges = £1,218
- Heat pump electricity: 10,109 kWh ÷ SCOP 3.4 = 2,973 kWh
- Heat pump annual cost: 2,973 kWh × £0.2611 + £209 standing charge = £985
- Running-cost difference: £1,218 − £985 = £233
Investment and payback
| Installed cost, typical air source | £13,000 |
| Grant | −£7,500 |
| Net capital cost | £5,500 |
| Annual running-cost saving | £233 |
| Simple payback | 23.6 years |
Boiler Upgrade Scheme, £7,500 (air source)
What actually decides it in this house
45 °C puts the SCOP around 3.4 — very close to break-even against gas, and comfortably ahead of oil, LPG or direct electric. The marginal radiator work to get here is usually cheaper than the running-cost difference over ten years.
Advertising
Get quotes for your property
Compare at least three installers. Ask each one for the heat-loss calculation and the design flow temperature in writing — that number decides your running cost more than the brand on the box.
Ad. If you request a quote through this link we may be paid a commission by the installer. It does not change your price, and we do not rank companies by how much they pay.