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Heat pumps vs boilers: What installers need to know in a changing market

Supporting installers in the move from boilers to renewable heating technology

 

As the UK moves toward a low-carbon future, the conversation around home heating is shifting rapidly. For electrical contractors, installers, and project designers, understanding how heat pumps differ from traditional boilers is essential, not only for compliance and efficiency, but also for capitalising on new business opportunities.

Efficiency and performance

Heat pumps operate by extracting ambient energy from the air, ground or water, typically delivering around 3-4 units of heat for every unit of electricity used, depending on system design and operating conditions. In contrast, even modern condensing boilers struggle to exceed 90% efficiency.

Because heat pumps move heat rather than generate it through combustion, they maintain comparatively high efficiency across a wide range of outdoor temperatures, offering more stable year-round performance than combustion systems . Some heat pump systems can also provide cooling in the summer when correctly specified, something a boiler cannot do.

This can make heat pumps cheaper to run over the system’s lifetime in well-designed installations, particularly when paired with smart controls and low-temperature distribution systems.

Environmental impact

Gas and oil boilers rely on fossil fuels, producing CO₂ and contributing to the UK’s carbon footprint. Heat pumps, however, use electricity; increasingly generated from renewable sources and can reduce household emissions by up to 65%, compared to gas boilers.

With tightening regulations and the long-term phase out of fossil fuel heating, heat pumps are becoming a forward looking choice for homeowners and businesses. Beyond emissions, heat pumps create a healthier indoor and outdoor environment by eliminating on-site combustion, meaning no flue gases, no risk of carbon monoxide, and reduced particulate pollution.

Boiler Upgrade scheme 

To make renewable heating more accessible, homeowners in England and Wales can take advantage of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers grants of up to £7,500 towards the installation of air-source or ground-source heat pumps.

This significantly reduces upfront costs and helps accelerate the move away from fossil-fuel boilers, making low-carbon heating both practical and affordable. Installers can use this scheme to support customers looking to cut emissions, reduce running costs and future-proof their properties. For full details and guidance, take a look at our latest website article.

Apply for the Boiler Upgrade SchemeMore information 

Installation and skill development

For installers, heat pumps present a growing opportunity. While they require different design principles including correct sizing, flow temperature management, and attention to building insulation the demand is accelerating.

BEW ClimaTech provides technical support, product selection assistance, and access to leading brands, helping contractors expand confidently into this sector.

Training courses available 

 

 

Meet BEW ClimaTech

At BEW, our specialist division BEW ClimaTech supports this transition by providing high-quality renewable heating and cooling solutions, expert guidance, and tailored system design.

Take the next step

If you’re ready to make your property more energy-efficient and future-proof, our team is here to help. From the first consultation to final installation, we’ll guide you through every stage with expertise and care.

Find out about ClimaTech contact us