Guide · Updated 8 November 2026
Air to air heat pump running costs
At the October to December 2026 price cap of 26.32p per kWh, an air to air heat pump with a seasonal efficiency (SCOP) of 3.5 makes heat for about 7.5p per kWh. That compares with 26.32p for plug-in, panel or storage heaters on a standard tariff, and about 8.9p for a 90% efficient gas boiler at 7.97p per kWh of gas.
The sum
Cost of 1 kWh of heat = electricity price ÷ SCOP.
SCOP (seasonal coefficient of performance) is how many units of heat the system produces for each unit of electricity, averaged over a heating season. It's shown on the energy label. Many modern wall units are rated around 4 or above for heating in the average European climate band, though real-world results depend on the weather, the room and how you use it.
| Heating | Efficiency | Cost per kWh of heat |
|---|---|---|
| Air to air heat pump | SCOP 4.0 | 6.6p |
| Air to air heat pump | SCOP 3.5 | 7.5p |
| Gas boiler | 90% | 8.9p |
| Electric panel, fan or storage heaters (standard tariff) | 100% | 26.3p |
Uses the Ofgem cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026: electricity 26.32p per kWh, gas 7.97p per kWh. Standing charges are left out because you pay them either way (unless you disconnect gas completely, which saves the gas standing charge of about 29.7p a day). Storage heaters on an off-peak tariff are cheaper per kWh than this, but have higher day rates.
Work out your own
Not sure how much heat you use? A gas bill shows kWh per year. Multiply by 0.9 to get the heat delivered. Flats often use 3,000 to 6,000 kWh of heat a year; houses more.
Who saves the most
- Homes on electric heating. Moving from panel, fan or storage heaters to a heat pump can cut heating costs by around two-thirds or more, because each kWh of electricity gives several kWh of heat.
- Homes on oil or LPG. Often a good saving, depending on fuel prices.
- Homes on mains gas. Smaller savings on heating alone. The case rests more on the grant, getting cooling as well, and cutting carbon.
Ways to cut running costs
- Choose a unit with a high SCOP (look at the heating figure on the energy label, not cooling).
- Get it sized properly for each room. An undersized unit runs flat out; an oversized one cycles on and off.
- Run it steadily at a moderate temperature rather than blasting it on and off.
- Keep filters clean (most need a rinse every few weeks in heavy use) and have it serviced as the maker recommends.
- Look at a heat pump or time-of-use electricity tariff.
Cooling costs
Cooling a bedroom on a hot evening typically uses a fraction of a kWh to a few kWh of electricity, depending on the size of the room and the unit. That's usually pennies to well under a pound a night at current prices.
Questions
How much does it cost to run an air to air heat pump?
At 26.32p per kWh electricity and a SCOP of 3.5, about 7.5p for every kWh of heat. A home needing 4,000 kWh of heat a year would spend about £300 on heating.
Is an air to air heat pump cheaper to run than a gas boiler?
Usually slightly cheaper per kWh of heat at October 2026 prices: about 7.5p (SCOP 3.5) against about 8.9p for a 90% efficient gas boiler. The gap grows with a higher SCOP or a heat pump tariff.
Is it cheaper than electric heaters?
Much cheaper. Electric panel and fan heaters turn 1 kWh of electricity into 1 kWh of heat. A heat pump with a SCOP of 3.5 turns it into about 3.5 kWh.
Sources
- Uswitch: October 2026 price cap, 26.32p per kWh electricity, 7.97p per kWh gas
- Ofgem: Energy price cap explained
- DESNZ: Air-to-air heat pumps literature review
- ExpertSure: Air-to-air heat pumps (cost ranges, Oct 2026)
Checked 8 November 2026.