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Heat Pump Running Cost Index

Compare planning assumptions used in running-cost discussions by country. This index is intended for research and outreach, not as a replacement for project-specific quotes or surveys.

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Running cost assumptions by country

CountryElectricity rangeGas rangeOil rangeWorked exampleLast checked
United KingdomGBP 0.22-0.34 per kWh (Ofgem regional cap spread and available tariffs)GBP 0.05-0.11 per kWh (Ofgem cap benchmark and regional/tariff variation)GBP 0.09-0.13 per kWh equivalent (kerosene supplier tracking, delivery-size and season dependent)If electricity is GBP 0.28/kWh and gas is GBP 0.08/kWh, a heat pump with SCOP 3.2 has delivered-heat energy cost near GBP 0.09/kWh versus about GBP 0.09/kWh from a 90% gas boiler before standing charges.2026-04-28
IrelandEUR 0.28-0.37 per kWh (SEAI domestic electricity bands DA-DE, incl. VAT and tariff variation)EUR 0.10-0.15 per kWh (SEAI domestic natural-gas bands D1-D3)EUR 0.09-0.15 per kWh equivalent (SEAI domestic fuel comparison kerosene range by appliance efficiency)At EUR 0.36/kWh electricity and EUR 0.11/kWh gas, a SCOP 3.3 heat pump gives delivered heat around EUR 0.11/kWh, close to a ~90% gas boiler fuel cost before fixed charges.2026-04-28
GermanyEUR 0.25-0.40 per kWhEUR 0.08-0.14 per kWhEUR 0.08-0.13 per kWh equivalentAt EUR 0.31/kWh electricity and EUR 0.11/kWh gas, SCOP 3.4 implies delivered heat near EUR 0.09/kWh from a heat pump versus about EUR 0.12/kWh from a 90% gas boiler.2026-04-28
FranceEUR 0.20-0.30 per kWhEUR 0.08-0.13 per kWhEUR 0.08-0.12 per kWh equivalentAt EUR 0.24/kWh electricity, replacing direct electric resistance heating (EUR 0.24/kWh delivered) with a SCOP 3.0 heat pump can reduce delivered heat energy cost to ~EUR 0.08/kWh.2026-04-28
NetherlandsEUR 0.22-0.35 per kWhEUR 0.09-0.16 per kWhOil heating is limited nationally; where used, ~EUR 0.08-0.13 per kWh equivalentAt EUR 0.28/kWh electricity and EUR 0.12/kWh gas, SCOP 3.5 gives heat at ~EUR 0.08/kWh versus ~EUR 0.13/kWh from a 90% gas boiler fuel basis.2026-04-28
BelgiumEUR 0.25-0.40 per kWhEUR 0.09-0.15 per kWhEUR 0.08-0.13 per kWh equivalentAt EUR 0.32/kWh electricity and EUR 0.12/kWh gas, SCOP 3.2 implies ~EUR 0.10/kWh delivered heat from a heat pump versus ~EUR 0.13/kWh from a 90% gas boiler.2026-04-28

SCOP assumptions used for examples

  • Mild-climate retrofit with balanced emitters: SCOP 3.2 to 3.6.
  • Average retrofit with mixed radiators: SCOP 2.9 to 3.3.
  • Cold-climate or high-flow operation: SCOP 2.6 to 3.0.
  • Delivered heat cost formula: electricity price per kWh divided by SCOP.

Example household scenarios

  • Terraced 90 m² home, 9,500 kWh annual heat demand, SCOP 3.2 baseline.
  • Detached 160 m² retrofit, 18,000 kWh annual heat demand, SCOP 3.0 baseline.
  • Older 130 m² home with radiator upgrades pending, SCOP stress-test at 2.7.
  • Time-of-use tariff sensitivity tests with ±20% electricity price variation.

Methodology and source links

  • The index uses country assumptions already exposed in HeatWise country pages and calculator references. Seecalculator methodology.
  • Electricity, gas, and heating-oil ranges are planning inputs, not supplier quotes.
  • Per-country source links are available in each country guide and include regulator and official grant/efficiency portals.
Eurostat household energy price contextOfgem (UK market context)SEAI (Ireland energy and grant context)