Heat pump heating costs: what increases and reduces them

Heat pump heating costs depend on the heat demand of the house, the efficiency with which the heat pump works and the price of electricity. Two houses of the same size with the same unit can therefore have very different bills. High costs are almost never caused by the technology itself, but by the design and settings.

What affects costs

• the heat loss of the house – insulation, windows, ventilation,
• the heating water temperature – the lower it is, the more economical the operation,
• the control settings – heating curve, hot water temperature,
• correct output – both oversized and undersized units increase consumption,
• outdoor temperatures – efficiency falls in frost,
• the electricity price and tariff – Heat pump electrical connection: breaker, supply and tariff.

The three most common causes of high bills

1. A badly set heating curve – the water is warmer than the house needs. Read more in the article Weather-compensated heat pump control: how to set the heating curve.
2. Frequent use of the backup electric heater – with an undersized unit or poor settings, expensive electric heating switches on.
3. Unsuitable output – What heat pump output do I need?.

Why we do not quote blanket figures

Any “average costs” would be misleading – the result depends on the specific house and on energy prices, which change. During the design, we will prepare an estimate for your house based on the heat loss and previous consumption.

How to reduce costs

You will find specific tips – from setting the temperature to maintenance – in the article How to reduce heat pump consumption: 10 practical tips. A combination with photovoltaics also helps significantly – A heat pump and photovoltaics: why it is worth combining them.

Comparison with gas

If you are deciding between a boiler and a heat pump, see the article Heat pump or gas boiler: a comparison.

An estimate for your house

Send us details about your house and previous energy consumption. We will prepare a Daikin heat pump design with an estimate of running costs. You can read about the conditions of the state contribution on the Subsidies page. Contact us · Daikin heat pumps