What is an EPC certificate?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an official document that shows how energy-efficient a property is. It includes ratings from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and recommendations for improving energy efficiency. EPCs are required when selling or renting properties in the UK.

How do I find my property's EPC rating?

You can find your property's EPC rating by searching for your address on Home Checkup. Simply enter your postcode or full address in the search box. We have EPC data for over 20 million UK properties from the official government register.

Is Home Checkup free to use?

Yes, Home Checkup is completely free to use. We provide comprehensive property information including EPC ratings, broadband speeds, school information, crime statistics, and sales history at no cost.

How often is the property data updated?

Our property data comes from official UK government sources and is updated regularly. EPC data is sourced from the official EPC register, broadband data from Ofcom, school information from Ofsted, and crime statistics from police.uk. Most data is refreshed monthly to quarterly depending on the source.

What information can I find about a property?

For each property, you can find: Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings and detailed energy efficiency data, broadband availability and speeds, nearby schools with Ofsted ratings, local crime statistics, property sales history, and comprehensive property characteristics like construction type, heating system, and floor area.

Air Source Heat Pumps: Are They Worth It in 2026? Running Costs vs Gas Boilers

Quick Answer: Air source heat pumps cost £1,200-1,800/year to run vs £900-1,300 for gas boilers. BUT: £7,500 government grant, 40-50% lower carbon emissions, and can improve EPC rating from D to B. Payback period: 8-12 years.

What is an Air Source Heat Pump?

An air source heat pump (ASHP) is a renewable heating system that extracts heat from outside air and uses it to heat your home and hot water. Think of it as a reverse refrigerator - it takes warmth from outside air (even when it's cold) and pumps it indoors.

They're becoming increasingly popular in the UK as the government pushes for net-zero carbon homes by 2050. But are they actually worth the investment? Let's break down the real costs.

The Big Question: Running Costs vs Gas Boilers

Electricity vs Gas Prices (2026 UK)

Electricity: £0.27-0.30 per kWh (price cap)
Gas: £0.06-0.07 per kWh (price cap)

This is the problem: Electricity costs 4-5x more than gas per kWh. Even though heat pumps are 300-400% efficient (for every 1 kWh of electricity, you get 3-4 kWh of heat), they still cost more to run than gas boilers.

Annual Running Cost Comparison (3-Bed Semi-Detached)

Modern Gas Boiler (90% efficient)

Annual heating demand: 12,000 kWh
Gas required: 13,333 kWh (÷0.9 efficiency)
Annual cost: £933 (at £0.07/kWh)

Air Source Heat Pump (CoP 3.2)

Annual heating demand: 12,000 kWh
Electricity required: 3,750 kWh (÷3.2 CoP)
Annual cost: £1,125 (at £0.30/kWh)
Extra cost vs gas: +£192/year

Verdict: Heat pumps currently cost £150-250 more per year to run than gas boilers for a typical home. This gap widens in poorly insulated homes where the heat pump runs less efficiently.

So Why Would Anyone Get One?

1. Government Grants (Up to £7,500 Free Money)

The UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers:

£7,500 grant for air source heat pump installation
Reduces upfront cost from £10,000-14,000 to £2,500-6,500
No means testing - available to all homeowners
Available until 2028 (limited funding - claim now!)

💰 Get £7,500 Off Your Heat Pump with Boxt

Boxt applies the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant automatically. Fixed prices, no hidden costs, professional installation.

Get Heat Pump Quote → Other Ways to Improve EPC

2. Massive EPC Rating Improvement

Installing a heat pump can jump your EPC rating by 2-3 bands:

D → B: Most common upgrade (20-30 point increase)
E → C: Meets new rental property standards
Adds £15,000-25,000 to property value (10% premium for B+ ratings)

Search properties with heat pumps to see their EPC ratings - most achieve A or B ratings.

3. Future-Proofing

Gas boiler ban: New builds can't install gas boilers from 2026
Existing homes: Likely phased ban from 2030s onwards
Energy prices: Electricity getting cheaper (renewables), gas getting pricier
Resale value: Properties with heat pumps will be more desirable

4. Lower Carbon Footprint

40-50% lower CO₂ emissions than gas boilers
Emissions continue dropping as UK grid gets greener
Gas heating: ~2.5 tonnes CO₂/year
Heat pump: ~1.2 tonnes CO₂/year (and falling)

The Downsides (Be Honest About These)

1. High Upfront Cost

Total cost: £10,000-14,000 installed
After £7,500 grant: £2,500-6,500 out of pocket
Gas boiler replacement: £2,000-3,000 for comparison

2. Your Home Must Be Suitable

Heat pumps work best in:

Well-insulated homes (cavity wall insulation, loft insulation 270mm+)
Properties with larger radiators or underfloor heating
Homes with outdoor space for the unit (1m² minimum)
Properties in England, Scotland, Wales (grants available)

Red flags for heat pumps:

Poor insulation (EPC rating E or below - fix this first!)
Small radiators designed for high-temperature systems
Listed buildings (planning permission issues)
No outside space for outdoor unit

3. Lower Flow Temperature

Heat pumps run at 35-55°C vs 60-80°C for gas boilers. This means:

Radiators need to be bigger or run longer
Some people find homes feel slightly cooler
Hot water takes longer to heat up
Best suited to underfloor heating (new builds)

4. Noise

Outdoor unit makes 40-60 dB (like a refrigerator hum)
Can annoy neighbors if placed near property boundaries
Modern units are quieter but still audible

Real-World Example: Total Cost of Ownership

Scenario: 3-Bed Semi, Swapping 15-Year-Old Gas Boiler

Option A: New Gas Boiler

Upfront cost: £3,000
Annual running cost: £933
Total 10-year cost: £12,330
EPC impact: D → D (no change)

Option B: Air Source Heat Pump

Upfront cost: £12,000 - £7,500 grant = £4,500
Annual running cost: £1,125
Annual savings on water heating: -£100 (more efficient)
Total 10-year cost: £14,750
EPC impact: D → B (+25,000 property value)

Verdict: Heat pump costs £2,420 more over 10 years, but adds £25,000 to property value. Net benefit: +£22,580

When Does a Heat Pump Make Sense?

✅ Good Candidates for Heat Pumps:

New builds: Designed for low-temp heating
Well-insulated homes: EPC rating C or above
Replacing old boiler: Already spending £3,000 anyway
Long-term ownership: Staying 10+ years to recoup investment
Eco-conscious: Prioritize carbon reduction
Rental properties: Must reach EPC C by 2026 anyway

❌ Better to Stick with Gas (For Now):

Poor insulation: Fix this first, heat pump second
Small radiators: Would need complete replacement
Short-term ownership: Selling within 5 years
Tight budget: Can't afford £4,500+ upfront
Listed building: Planning permission challenges

How to Maximize Your Heat Pump Efficiency

Insulate first: £1 spent on insulation saves £3 on heating
Run at constant low temperature: 18-20°C all day beats 22°C on/off
Choose correct size: Oversized pumps cycle inefficiently
Get underfloor heating if possible: Works perfectly with heat pumps
Use Economy 7 tariff: Heat water overnight at cheaper rates

Government Support Available

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England & Wales)

£7,500 grant for air source heat pumps
£6,000 grant for ground source heat pumps
No income limits or property value caps
Available until March 2028 (£450M fund - first come first served)

Home Energy Scotland Grant

£7,500 grant (Scotland)
Additional £1,500 for homes in remote areas
Free energy advice and installation support

0% Interest Loans

Some councils offer 0% loans up to £15,000 for energy improvements including heat pumps.

🎯 Ready to Get Your Heat Pump?

Boxt offers fixed-price heat pump installations with the £7,500 government grant automatically deducted. MCS certified, next-day installation available.

Get Heat Pump Quote → ✓ Fixed Price ✓ £7,500 Grant ✓ 10-Year Warranty

Alternative: Hybrid Heat Pumps

Can't decide between gas and electric? Hybrid systems give you both:

Heat pump runs most of the time (80-90% of heating)
Gas boiler kicks in on very cold days
Grants: £6,000 available (£1,500 less than pure heat pump)
Lower running costs than pure heat pump
Best of both worlds for older properties

Check Properties with Heat Pumps Near You

Want to see how heat pumps affect EPC ratings in real homes? Search our database of 28.7 million UK properties to find homes with heat pumps and compare their:

EPC ratings (most achieve A or B)
Annual energy costs
CO₂ emissions
Property values vs gas-heated neighbors

Search for properties in your area with "heat pump" in the heating description to see real-world results.

Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?

For most UK homeowners in 2026, YES - IF:

You claim the £7,500 government grant
Your home is reasonably well-insulated (EPC C or above)
You're staying in the property 10+ years
You need to improve your EPC rating anyway

The math: Yes, you'll pay £150-250/year more in running costs. But you'll add £15,000-25,000 to your property value, reduce carbon emissions by 50%, and future-proof your home against gas boiler bans.

Wait if: Your home has poor insulation (fix this first), you're selling soon, or gas boiler has 5+ years of life left.

Related Guides

Disclaimer: Running costs are estimates based on 2026 price cap rates and typical usage. Actual costs vary by property size, insulation quality, and local energy prices. Always get professional surveys before installation. This article contains affiliate links - we may earn commission from installer referrals at no cost to you.