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Original poster

New Boiler or Heat Pump?

25 replies

HeatPumpBoilerStuff · 30/04/2024 16:14

Our 10 year old boiler is on it's last legs. The British Gas guy said yesterday that we might get a few more days out of it, maybe longer if we're lucky.

So it's either a new boiler or one of the heat pumps that are under government grant atm. We qualify for the grant, and need to make a decision. Our situation is:

Homeowners
Garden
House built about 15 years ago
Draft-free, very 'sealed up' property
4 bedrooms, fairly big semi over 3 floors
Big energy bills - about £130 + for gas, £140 for electricity per month (cooler months)

I'm leaning towards the heat pump, but I know very little about it - I'm trying to learn quickly as we've got the BG technician coming on Friday to talk us through new boiler options.

I'd really appreciate some MN wisdom and thoughts from anyone who knows what they're talking about with this/been there/got a heat pump etc.

Thanks all!

Updated by MNHQ
Landed on this page in search of heat pump advice? Find our guide to installing a heat pump in your UK home here. HTH!

OP posts:
Original poster
HeatPumpBoilerStuff · 30/04/2024 16:49

...also, is it better to go with a big company like British Gas? I just got a quote from Octopus that was around £15,000, which didn't seem very competitive, but maybe I'm wrong?

OP posts:
TonTonMacoute · 30/04/2024 17:22

I would not go to British Gas for anything except a comparison quote, and certainly not for a heat pump - and yes I know they are a government approved contractor their heat pump scheme.

I would ask around for a local specialist in heat pumps, and get them in.

A heat pump will not be quick and easy to install, so you really need to understand what you are letting yourselves in for. It is certainly not a cheap option either. A friend of ours ended up spending £40k getting his heat pump right as there were so many unforeseen problems.

If you go for a new gas boiler it will be £2-3k and can be fitted in a day.

I don't think installing a heat pump is something that you should rush into in this type of 'emergency' situation.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/04/2024 17:26

God I would just get a boiler, unless you really want the cooling function. Way cheaper, easy to fit, and you know exactly where you stand with them.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Home improvement
idontlikealdi · 30/04/2024 17:29

Boiler. And not British Gas.

schloss · 30/04/2024 17:36

Second thread with a similar question, the other oil v heat pump, makes me think someone is gathering information. Could there be elections coming up by any chance!

EwwSprouts · 30/04/2024 17:38

Heat pumps are not turning out to save money for the few people I know who have swopped over.

Rekka · 30/04/2024 17:46

Read about heat pump when the scheme was just launched. Unless things changed dramatically, it's not something should be put into the market at its current level of performance.

TonTonMacoute · 30/04/2024 18:07

EwwSprouts · 30/04/2024 17:38

Heat pumps are not turning out to save money for the few people I know who have swopped over.

Our neighbours did a big refurb on their house, including installing solar panels and a heat pump. They still have to use their back up oil boiler when it's very cold.

Original poster
HeatPumpBoilerStuff · 30/04/2024 18:45

schloss · 30/04/2024 17:36

Second thread with a similar question, the other oil v heat pump, makes me think someone is gathering information. Could there be elections coming up by any chance!

Really? I'm not gathering information apart from for myself. I saw the oil/heat pump thread when I searched for previous answers, but obviously that one was different to mine.

I've been on MN for 17 years. There's always the report button if you think I'm dodgy.

OP posts:
Original poster
HeatPumpBoilerStuff · 30/04/2024 18:47

Thanks to the other posters - I really appreciate the views and opinions. My DH is relieved to read your answers as he's Team Boiler 😁

OP posts:
Iwasjustasking · 30/04/2024 18:47

I would also get a second opinion about your boiler, British Gas are very quick to say they can’t fix it and start to try and push a new boiler on you, 10 years old isn’t that old for a boiler tbh.

Original poster
HeatPumpBoilerStuff · 30/04/2024 18:51

Iwasjustasking · 30/04/2024 18:47

I would also get a second opinion about your boiler, British Gas are very quick to say they can’t fix it and start to try and push a new boiler on you, 10 years old isn’t that old for a boiler tbh.

It's actually closer to 15 years now I've thought about it, and to be fair to them, they've been out to fix it about 10 times over the last few years I think.

They said that the parts just aren't available for our model anymore.

Is it true that new boilers are a lot more efficient these days, in terms of saving money?

OP posts:
seahorsegrass · 30/04/2024 19:02

Just had a heat pump installed from Octopus, cost about £2,000 as there are loads of schemes and incentives to get them installed- the rest of the cost covered by Octopus and a government grant. Took 4 days to install - the Ocotpus team did it, seamless, clean, tidy. They did a huge amount of work - new tank, pipes through the loft, removed all the old stuff and disposed of it.

House is warm, detached 4 bed, 20yrs old with good insulation especially loft as we put extra in. The hot water is great. Small issue reconnecting our shower but that's sorted. Would highly recommended it.

Sailawaygirl · 30/04/2024 19:04

So we are having the same discussion, but we have oil.

I think cost wise gas is still cheaper than electric. So I don't think there is financial benefit to change to heat pump over gas.

pilates · 30/04/2024 19:09

Boiler and not British Gas. They are notorious for being very expensive.

Sausagedognamedmash · 30/04/2024 19:11

Boiler 100%. I work in property services and our properties with heat pumps cost an absolute fortune in remedial works after every service and they aren't that old.

N0tfinished · 30/04/2024 19:29

I have a heat pump water heater, I wouldn't get one again. It's been replaced 3 times in 6 years. We only paid for it once as it was under warranty, but it's been a total pain. I'd put in a boiler and save for solar panels. We put some in at the same time & they're working perfectly & saved us a fortune

Leeksinthesun · 30/04/2024 19:33

schloss · 30/04/2024 17:36

Second thread with a similar question, the other oil v heat pump, makes me think someone is gathering information. Could there be elections coming up by any chance!

What a silly observation, there's about a million posters on here and a boiler question is pretty much an every day query surely?

SantiagoSky · 30/04/2024 20:03

We have a heat pump and it runs much much cheaper than the boiler it replaced (1500 l oil per winter compared to 3000 kWh for heating). I live in a country with much colder winters compared to the UK. I would get it again in an instant.

SantiagoSky · 30/04/2024 20:05

(also zero maintenance since it is has an electrical engine inside which is much less troublesome than a burner)

LordPercyPercy · 30/04/2024 22:06

Is it true that new boilers are a lot more efficient these days, in terms of saving money?

Yes this is correct. Far more efficient. You could look at getting the system flushed at the same time to ensure maximum efficiency once it's in.

mrswhiplington · 30/04/2024 23:01

We had a new boiler fitted by British Gas about 18 months ago. Average 3 bed semi. It cost £2,600. They were very efficient. If you are already on the Homecare agreement you don't have to pay it for 5 years.

stardust40 · 30/04/2024 23:05

Had a boiler and nearly bought from BG ... so pleased asked local companies as ended up paying half the quote with local firm.

MagnoliaGirlie · 18/11/2024 16:01

seahorsegrass · 30/04/2024 19:02

Just had a heat pump installed from Octopus, cost about £2,000 as there are loads of schemes and incentives to get them installed- the rest of the cost covered by Octopus and a government grant. Took 4 days to install - the Ocotpus team did it, seamless, clean, tidy. They did a huge amount of work - new tank, pipes through the loft, removed all the old stuff and disposed of it.

House is warm, detached 4 bed, 20yrs old with good insulation especially loft as we put extra in. The hot water is great. Small issue reconnecting our shower but that's sorted. Would highly recommended it.

Hey there, i know this thread is old, but trying to gather info for a potential switch h to ASHP and I feel lost. I hope you don't mind me asking questions. Were you already with Octopus before the swap? When you say Octopus covered the costs, can I ask what costs they were and why they covered it? 😇

Leoislazy · 18/11/2024 16:08

Deleted response as didn’t realise it was an old thread

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