Customers with major energy firms British Gas, EDF and Octopus Energy are being paid between £221 and £368 a year to get rid of their boiler.
The UK government is keen to get households to ditch their old, fossil fuel pumping boilers for alternative, renewable energy appliances like heat pumps – although Keir Starmer did say he would not force anyone to get rid of their boiler.
But several energy firms are handing out money off to customers if they switch to a heat pump in the form of cheaper tariffs.
Heat pumps are a way to heat a house using electricity, which is increasingly generated using green, renewable sources like wind farms.
Another upside of heat pumps is that they can be switched to air con in summer by throwing the system into reverse.
Now, EDF energy is offering a heat pump tariff that promises to be around £221 per year cheaper for gas and electricity bills.
Octopus Energy’s heat pump tariff could save households up to £260 a year, while British Gas has a heat pump tariff which says customers will save £368 a year.
Andy Kerr, founder of BOXT, said: “The adoption of heat pumps in UK households is seen by the Government as a key step towards its goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. However, while heat pumps can be highly efficient for the right homes, the current cost of electricity in the UK combined with the upfront cost of purchasing a heat pump can act as a barrier for many customers.
“Therefore, the idea that Britain’s ‘big six’ energy retailers are warming up to heat pump tariffs is undoubtedly good news. With dedicated pricing structures customised to the specific needs of heat pump users, households with an existing heat pump can enjoy reduced electricity costs, and those considering installing one may be more inclined to do so too.
“While gas is typically a cheaper type of fuel in the UK, Octopus Energy states that running a heat pump on their ‘Cosy Octopus’ tariff could save customers £221 a year compared to a gas boiler. EDF predicts customers swapping to their ‘Heat Pump Tracker Tariff’ can save the average three-bedroom house £260 a year.
“British Gas and Ovo Energy have also adopted a new type-of-use tariff. These offer a discounted price per kWh which is solely applied to the heat pump’s consumption. Both types of tariff are only accessible to households with a functioning smart meter.”
“ScottishPower has also launched a new tariff, which offers a reduced rate of 15p per kWh when customers use electricity between 11am and 4pm. When promoting their new tariff, Scottish Power argued that heating hot water in the middle of the day when the average ambient air temperature is warmer is more efficient for households with an air-source heat pump.
“Positive steps like this are paving the way for higher adoption rates. We’ve recently seen other great advancements such as the new ‘visit a heat pump’ scheme launched by charity Nesta. These steps towards education alongside government incentives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers eligible homeowners a fixed grant of £7,500 towards heat pump installation, will help break down the barriers to their adoption.
“As with any heat pump installation, it’s important to consider the price of installation and operation against the cost of a gas boiler, and the suitability of your home. Homeowners need clear guidance about how home efficiency improvements can be made, including insulation requirements and radiator guidelines, which are vital for optimum heat pump performance”.
“For homes with a higher heat demand, one option is a hybrid heat pump system. A hybrid system is where a heat pump is used alongside another heat source such as a fossil fuel boiler.
“The adoption of heat pumps in the UK holds great promise for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change, however, there must be discussions to ensure that this transition is sustainable and efficient for all households. At BOXT, we want our customers to find the best solution to their home energy needs, at the best possible price, and will always work with them to help them make an informed decision.”
