Which is better Gas Boiler or Heat Pump?

Boiler Installation

December 2, 2021

Which is better Gas Boiler or a heat pump?

We all know that to keep our homes warm during the winter months, we need a heater of some sort to regulate the temperature inside. Having a heater in your home or property is necessary to keep a comfortable temperature for you to live in. If you are looking to replace your current heating system with a new one, consider the type of heaters that are available for purchase.  

There are two different types of heaters that you can choose from for your home. They include the gas boiler and the heat pump. There are many differences between these two heating systems, so it is important to understand which one is best suited for your needs before purchasing a new heater.

If you are looking to heat your home year-round, there are two main options available when considering the choice between gas boilers or heat pumps: Gas boiler vs Heat pump - Which one would be suitable for your home? This blog post will help you understand the difference between a heat pump and a gas boiler, and what is best suited for your home.

The Difference between Gas Boilers and Heat Pumps

Before we go further, let's review the difference between a heat pump and a gas boiler.

A heat pump is a component of your home's heating and air conditioning system that sits outside. It can both cool and heat your house, much like an air conditioner. In the winter, a heat pump absorbs heat from the outside air and transfers it indoors, while in the summer, it removes heat from the inside air to keep your home cool. It works like a refrigerator in reverse.

Heat pumps are driven by electricity and use refrigerants to move heat. Because they can chill as well as heat, homeowners in cold regions may not need to set up separate heating systems. An electric heat strip may be added to the indoor fan coil for more functions in colder climes. Unlike furnaces or boilers, heat pumps do not burn fuel to produce heat. 

Meanwhile, gas boilers heat water to be used throughout your home. The hot water is pumped around through pipes and radiators, which then emit the heat into each room of your house. A gas boiler requires an open flamed source for it to work properly, while a heating pump does not require any kind of open flame.

A gas boiler is typically more costly than a heat pump, and also costs more money in maintenance and repair over time. Heat pumps are often the better option for homeowners who do not want to deal with frequent repairs or have unreliable service providers. 

How To Choose Between A Gas Boiler And A Heat Pump?

With that being said, there are some things to consider when deciding between the two types of heating systems, we will break it down into several main areas.

Costs 

In regards to price or cost to purchase, gas boilers are usually more expensive to purchase, but you will save money on your monthly bills because they use less electricity than a heat pump would require to operate. However, heating pumps have reduced energy consumption when compared with gas-fired systems making them cheaper to run overtime. When it comes to running costs, a heat pump is more cost-effective when compared with gas boilers.

Efficiency 

Regarding efficiency, gas boiler systems are 80% efficient at transferring energy from the fuel source to your home's heating system. They also give you hot water by burning natural gas or propane, which means they only need electricity for ignition purposes and ventilation. A heat pump uses electricity to move the heat from one place to another, while a gas boiler burns fuel for this purpose. In this regard,  a heat pump is less efficient than a gas boiler as it needs to use electricity to function. 

Maintenance and Repair Costs 

Heat pumps require little maintenance compared to gas boilers. A heat pump does not require any kind of open flame or filter replacement whatsoever. Gas boilers need a yearly tune-up from a professional for them to run properly, including the changing of filters every month. If you don't have the time or money for this kind of upkeep on your heating system, the heat pump is the better option.

A gas-fired system requires more maintenance and repair work overtime, but the process of repairing or maintaining both types of heating systems may be expensive depending on your location. If you live in an area with harsh winters, you may want to consider a heat pump because it will be less costly overall. 

Noise

The noise factor is also an important factor to consider when choosing between a gas boiler and a heat pump. A gas boiler is typically noisier than other types of heating systems. The sound that the gas boiler makes is called "piping noise". This type of system also emits carbon dioxide into your home, making it less environmentally friendly. Heat pumps are quieter than gas boilers because they make no combustion noises.

Space

Homeowners who do not have a lot of space for an outdoor unit will need to consider purchasing a heat pump system instead of a gas boiler because it does not require ductwork or vents to run,  making it ideal for small areas. If you have enough space for an outside unit, a gas boiler will work well.

Longevity

When choosing a heating system for your home, you must also consider the longevity of the system. While a gas boiler is typically more expensive to purchase, it can have a longer lifespan than heat pumps because of its lack of moving parts and motors that could potentially break over time. 

Heat pumps last up to 20 years on average while gas boilers can run for 35-50 years depending on their quality and upkeep from your service provider. For this reason, homeowners may consider purchasing a gas-fired boiler because it will last longer if properly maintained.

Which One Is Best For You?

All of these points above are important to keep in mind when choosing between heat pumps and gas boilers for your home or business. As seen here, each type of heating system has distinct benefits as well as drawbacks depending on the needs of your home. Take some time to research which type will work best for you, your budget and the size of your space before making a final decision on what kind of heating system is right for you.

What's more important is, after you purchase and install your heat pump or gas boiler, you need to have a professional service provider come out and perform regular maintenance on the unit so that it will continue running properly. Getting the right heating and plumbing service provider from the start will ensure that you don't need to worry about problems down the road.

Homeowners should also consider subscribing to heating & plumbing service memberships as a long-term solution. This way you can have your heating and plumbing systems maintained on an ongoing basis, even if it is summertime or off seasons for the system that needs to be fixed!

If your properties are located in Camden, Hampstead, Golder’s Green, Westminster, Highgate, Maida Vale or any other part of London, you are lucky! Rare Heating & Plumbing Services is available 24/7 to respond to emergency call-outs for any heating & plumbing problems you have at home, and ensure you stay warm and dry. 

With more than 25 years of experience, Rare Heating & Plumbing works with long-standing customers who come to us when their buildings need maintenance or repair, as well as one-off clients who just want a new boiler installed. Our team offer a timely, fuss-free 24-hour service delivered by professional engineers who are fully licensed and insured.

Conclusion

In conclusion, heat pumps and gas boilers both have advantages depending on the needs of your home. If you're looking for a new heating system, there are many factors to consider. You must determine which is best suited to your house and budget. There's also the environmental impact that you might want to consider.

If your home is off the gas mains grid, or if it's well insulated, or you plan to build a more long-term sustainable home, or simply trying to be more environmentally responsible, we would recommend investing in a heat pump, For individuals on the gas mains grid, it's probably more cost-effective to replace your boiler with a high-efficiency one.

Even after you make an informed decision on which type of heating system is best for your home needs, it's important to ensure regular maintenance from a professional service provider to keep these systems running smoothly. And if you live around London and you need a new boiler installed as well as maintained – call Rare Heating & Plumbing Services immediately. We arrive at the worksite with all of the equipment required to fix common London plumbing and heating issues. If an immediate fix isn’t possible, we will ensure your plumbing or heating system is safe before quickly returning the parts required to complete the job.

Now that you've read this blog post, which type of heating system do you think would work best for your home? Leave a comment below with what kind of heating system you are interested in installing. Looking forward to hearing from you!

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We had a problem with our boiler and complex heating system that other plumbers refused to touch. Paresh took it on, and fixed it very quickly. The visit was swift and easy, and he was very sensitive to our shielding requirements.
Michael Quicke
Having previously used Rare to do a full system installation, including new heaters, storage tank, new boiler install, bathroom fit & kitchen appliance install and new piping throughout the home, I called upon them again to service our boiler this winter. Pareshs engineers were punctual, they called 15 mins before arriving and methodically explained the work they work going to carry out, serviced the boiler, drained the radiotors and also treated them. They ensured everything was fine and more importantly assured us the system was in perfect order for the winter and made a few adjustments. More importantly then that the engineers completely cleaned up and washed down the working areas leaving our home spotless. Highly recommend this company for all your plumbing needs.
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