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Can a Heat Pump Really Cost Less Than a New Boiler?
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sabreW4K3 lazysoci.al sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al
Joined: 2024-03-16
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15   Original
Lovable Sidekick lemmy.world LovableSidekick@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-10-19
#2 · (edited) Quote Reply

Over its lifetime, yes, but initial cost of a heat pump is higher.

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Boomer Humor Doomergod lemmy.world Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-03-15
#3 · Quote Reply

Over its lifetime, yes, but initial cost of a heat pump is higher.

If they’re replacing a boiler in a hot water system it can either be a bit more expensive or a LOT more expensive. If it’s pumping heat into the water it’s not so bad. But if you have to run duct work or put up a bunch of mini splits costs start going way up.

But if it’s a hot air system it shouldn’t be much more than adding A/C, and if it already has A/C it’s just a reversing valve.

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sabreW4K3 lazysoci.al sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al
Joined: 2024-03-16
#4 · Quote Reply

If they’re replacing a boiler in a hot water system it can either be a bit more expensive or a LOT more expensive. If it’s pumping heat into the water it’s not so bad. But if you have to run duct work or put up a bunch of mini splits costs start going way up. But if it’s a hot air system it shouldn’t be much more than adding A/C, and if it already has A/C it’s just a reversing valve.

The premise of the video is basically saying that with the available grants in the UK, it's possible to save money making the conversion.

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Boomer Humor Doomergod lemmy.world Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-03-15
#5 · Quote Reply

The premise of the video is basically saying that with the available grants in the UK, it's possible to save money making the conversion.

That’s excellent to hear. Sticker shock is a big reason people don’t use heat pumps

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🌸𝓯𝓵𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓻🌸 sh.itjust.works Flower@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2026-04-29
#6 · Quote Reply

I keep hoping the government finaly implements their promise to shift taxes from electricity to fossil fuels.

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sabreW4K3 lazysoci.al sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al
Joined: 2024-03-16
#7 · Quote Reply

That’s excellent to hear. Sticker shock is a big reason people don’t use heat pumps

Yeah, but I think the government is failing in regards to heat pumps. Especially with the heat wave, if they promoted the fact that heat pumps can heat and cool, people who at least get the chance to be sticker shocked.

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sabreW4K3 lazysoci.al sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al
Joined: 2024-03-16
#8 · Quote Reply

I keep hoping the government finaly implements their promise to shift taxes from electricity to fossil fuels.

I think I just saw something today about no more tax on a utility. I can't recall for sure though, so don't hold me to it.

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HerbGrower slrpnk.net HerbGrower@slrpnk.net
Joined: 2026-07-09
#9 · (edited) Quote Reply

I keep hoping the government finaly implements their promise to shift taxes from electricity to fossil fuels.

UK is doing that now. My bills going to drop to under £75/month at this rate, with a heat pump and I had the gas connection removed years ago.

I kinda wonder what that means for the gas network longer term as more people disconnect from it. They still need to maintain the same pipes under the road and I won't be paying for it, but some of my neighbours still do. Will their fee to maintain it have to go up at some point?

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SaveTheTuaHawk lemmy.ca SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca
Joined: 2025-03-07
#10 · Quote Reply

That’s excellent to hear. Sticker shock is a big reason people don’t use heat pumps

People should not be looking at the purchase price, they should be looking at total long term costs. Especially since the US is not going to stop random wars anytime.

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SaveTheTuaHawk lemmy.ca SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca
Joined: 2025-03-07
#11 · Quote Reply

UK is doing that now. My bills going to drop to under £75/month at this rate, with a heat pump and I had the gas connection removed years ago. I kinda wonder what that means for the gas network longer term as more people disconnect from it. They still need to maintain the same pipes under the road and I won't be paying for it, but some of my neighbours still do. Will their fee to maintain it ha...

Of course, until the economics of gas make no more sense.

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Boomer Humor Doomergod lemmy.world Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-03-15
#12 · Quote Reply

People should not be looking at the purchase price, they should be looking at total long term costs. Especially since the US is not going to stop random wars anytime.

If you don’t have the money for the initial purchase you’re never going to see the savings because you’ll never buy it

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HerbGrower slrpnk.net HerbGrower@slrpnk.net
Joined: 2026-07-09
#13 · Quote Reply

Of course, until the economics of gas make no more sense.

Pretty sure it doesn't make much sense today. £100 a year just to have a connection and that is before you even use it for anything.

Heat pumps are far more efficient so even before the electricity tax cut its cheaper to run. Then the savings on having a gas connection too are huge.

And for steak fans who think gas is necessary, charcoal/wood is better. £100 a year would buy a massive gas canister for cooking over, or a massive delivery of firewood.

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