What a heat pump really costs to run
This guide shows the most a typical air source heat pump's electricity could cost in a year under Ofgem's price cap, and why the answer is a range. The figures come from our heat pump running cost calculator.
Figures on this page use the price cap for 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026 (Ofgem, Annex 9 v1.11), heat pump measurements from Energy Systems Catapult (2024) and a boiler efficiency figure from DESNZ (2024).
A typical year
To compare like with like, the figures start from the heat a typical home needs: Ofgem's typical 9,500 kWh of gas a year, at 84% boiler efficiency, is about 7,980 kWh of heat. It is not your usage.
What "units of heat per unit of electricity" means
Our heat pump running cost calculator uses measurements from real homes. It works out the heat pump's electricity from 428 measured homes. The typical air source heat pump made 2.88 units of heat per unit of electricity, and the middle half ranged from 2.62 to 3.15. Source: Energy Systems Catapult, 2024.
From Chris's work as a heat networks and energy manager: I’d ask what seasonal performance they expect in my home, at the proposed flow temperature, and what they’ve based that on. I’d want to understand how hot water, circulation pumps and any electric backup affect the running cost estimate. Then I’d ask how they intend to check the performance once it’s installed.
Why the range is wide
The heat pump figures below are a range, not one number, because heat pumps in real homes vary. This range covers the middle half of the 428 homes measured — a quarter did better than this, and a quarter did worse. A heat pump at the poorer end of that range costs more to run than the typical figure.
From Chris's work as a heat networks and energy manager: For me, it comes down to the design and commissioning. A good installation starts with a proper heat loss calculation for each room, checks the radiators and pipework, and sets the controls up properly. The homeowner also needs a clear explanation of how to run it and someone who will follow up if it isn’t performing as expected.
The price of electricity
In Ofgem's North West region, paying by direct debit, the cap's maximum electricity unit rate is 26.49p per kWh, including VAT.
Under the law as it stands, the temporary 0% electricity VAT rate ends on 31 March 2027. The government has announced an extension to 30 June 2027, which is not yet law.
From Chris's work as a heat networks and energy manager: They can make a difference, but I’d compare the whole electricity bill against how the household actually uses energy. A cheap period is useful if you can take advantage of it without compromising comfort, but you also need to consider what you’ll pay outside that period. The headline cheap rate doesn’t tell you the total cost.
What's not included
The figures on this page use the price cap's maximum electricity unit rate, including VAT. They leave out standing charges, heat pump tariffs, installation cost, grants and maintenance. Source: Ofgem, Annex 9.
Typical results: 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026
These figures use the most a supplier may lawfully charge under Ofgem's domestic price cap. They are not a price, a bill, or an estimate of what you will actually pay.
A worked example
A home in Ofgem's North West region, paying by direct debit, that needs 7,980 kWh of heat a year. That is Ofgem's typical 9,500 kWh of gas a year, at 84% boiler efficiency. It is not your usage. Heat pump electricity: about £730 a year, with a range of £670 to £810.
This range covers the middle half of the 428 homes measured — a quarter did better than this, and a quarter did worse.
By region
| Region | Heat pump electricity (range) |
|---|---|
| North West | £730 (£670 to £810) |
| Northern | £710 (£640 to £780) |
| Yorkshire | £710 (£650 to £780) |
| Northern Scotland | £730 (£670 to £800) |
| Southern | £730 (£670 to £810) |
| Southern Scotland | £720 (£660 to £800) |
| N Wales and Mersey | £770 (£710 to £850) |
| London | £740 (£670 to £810) |
| South East | £740 (£680 to £820) |
| Eastern | £740 (£670 to £810) |
| East Midlands | £700 (£640 to £770) |
| Midlands | £710 (£650 to £780) |
| Southern Western | £740 (£670 to £810) |
| South Wales | £740 (£670 to £810) |
Figures if you pay by standard credit or prepayment
| Region | Heat pump electricity (range) |
|---|---|
| North West | £780 (£710 to £850) |
| Northern | £750 (£680 to £820) |
| Yorkshire | £750 (£690 to £820) |
| Northern Scotland | £770 (£710 to £850) |
| Southern | £770 (£710 to £850) |
| Southern Scotland | £760 (£700 to £840) |
| N Wales and Mersey | £820 (£750 to £900) |
| London | £780 (£710 to £860) |
| South East | £790 (£720 to £860) |
| Eastern | £780 (£710 to £860) |
| East Midlands | £740 (£680 to £820) |
| Midlands | £750 (£690 to £820) |
| Southern Western | £780 (£710 to £860) |
| South Wales | £780 (£710 to £850) |
| Region | Heat pump electricity (range) |
|---|---|
| North West | £710 (£650 to £780) |
| Northern | £680 (£630 to £750) |
| Yorkshire | £690 (£630 to £760) |
| Northern Scotland | £710 (£650 to £780) |
| Southern | £710 (£650 to £780) |
| Southern Scotland | £700 (£640 to £770) |
| N Wales and Mersey | £750 (£680 to £820) |
| London | £710 (£650 to £790) |
| South East | £720 (£660 to £790) |
| Eastern | £710 (£650 to £790) |
| East Midlands | £680 (£620 to £750) |
| Midlands | £690 (£630 to £760) |
| Southern Western | £710 (£650 to £780) |
| South Wales | £710 (£650 to £780) |
Work out your own figures
Who runs Heat Ledger
Heat Ledger is run by Chris Buckingham, as an individual.
He has 25 years' experience in the gas and heating industry.
He holds the CIBSE Heat Networks Consultant certification, number 206208.
This is Chris's personal certification. CIBSE has not reviewed this site or its calculators, and the certification does not cover them.
Chris is a Member of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (MIGEM).