British households using heat pumps consume only half the imported energy compared to those with gas boilers, according to new research from a leading think tank.
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found that homes with heat pumps use 2.9 megawatt hours annually, while gas boiler households consume 5.7 megawatt hours in properties with an EPC rating of C.
Heat pumps operate on electricity, which is increasingly generated from domestic sources like wind turbines and solar panels, and are seen as a tool that can bring down energy bills long-term.
Meanwhile, the UK remains heavily dependent on gas imports from countries such as Norway and the United States.
The shift towards heat pumps could “boost Britain’s energy security”, according to ECIU energy analyst Jess Ralston.
“We know that continuing to rely on gas boilers just means we’ll see our imports rise,” she said.
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Britons could save money on energy bills with heat pumps and bolster the UK’s own energy security
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Recent global events have highlighted the vulnerability of gas dependency, with international prices surging following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This has directly impacted UK household energy bills.
While heat pumps have higher upfront costs than gas boilers, they offer superior energy efficiency in heating homes. The technology aligns with the Government’s carbon emission reduction goals for building heating.
Recently, the Government boosted its heat pump initiative with an additional £30million for the grant scheme. Households can now receive £7,500 off the cost of buying a heat pump.
Labour has also pledged to revise planning rules that currently require heat pumps to be positioned at least one metre from property boundaries.
Officials suggest households could save around £100 annually by using heat pumps with smart time-of-use electricity tariffs. Additional savings of approximately £200 per year are possible through better home insulation.
Looking ahead, the ECIU predicts even greater reductions in imported energy usage for heat pump households.
If the current expansion of renewable energy sources continues, heat pumps could halve their imported power consumption again by 2030.
This would result in heat pumps using just one-sixth of the imported energy compared to gas boilers by the end of the decade..
Energy bills are expected to rise this winter GETTY The forecast relies on the continued development of wind and solar farms across Britain. This transition would further strengthen the UK’s energy independence and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources.
Furthermore, the Government has announced a reformed clean heat market mechanism starting April 2025.
The scheme will require boiler manufacturers to ensure six per cent of their sales are heat pumps, or face charges for missed installations.
Initially set at £3,000, the charge has been reduced to £500 for the first year, with future years subject to consultation. Officials say this revised approach gives manufacturers more time to develop their supply chains.