Boilers & Heating

Compare boilers, heat pumps, and heating systems for UK homes. Running costs, government grants, sizing guides, and advice on switching from gas to renewable heating.

530 articles

Featured video

Watch Why Heat Pump Payback DOUBLES Depending on Your Postcode

Latest Boilers & Heating Articles

Boilers & Heating

Can I move my boiler to the garage?

Moving a boiler to the garage typically costs between £1,800 and £4,500, but the final bill depends on gas-supply runs and flue routes Moving a gas boiler into a garage is a common home improvement project. The cost depends on the distance from the existing boiler, the flue route, and whether the garage is attached […]

4 min · 11 Jun 2026
Boilers & Heating

Will my radiators work with a heat pump?

Most existing radiators can work with a heat pump, but only if their total output matches your home’s heat loss at 45°C flow temperature Many homeowners considering a heat pump ask whether their current radiators will be suitable. The short answer is that most existing radiators can work with a heat pump, but only if […]

4 min · 11 Jun 2026
Boilers & Heating

Does a magnetic filter really protect a boiler?

A magnetic filter costs roughly £150–£300 installed and is recommended by most boiler manufacturers A magnetic filter is a device plumbed into your central heating pipework that captures magnetite, a black iron-oxide sludge that forms as steel radiators and pipes corrode. By trapping these particles before they reach the boiler’s heat exchanger, the filter prevents […]

4 min · 11 Jun 2026
Boilers & Heating

Are electric boilers cheaper to run than gas?

A 2026 gas boiler costs roughly 50% more per kWh than an electric boiler on standard tariffs The first thing to understand is the raw cost of the fuel itself. Under the January 2026 price cap, Ofgem set the gas unit rate at approximately 7.0p per kWh and the electricity unit rate at approximately 25.0p […]

5 min · 11 Jun 2026
Boilers & Heating

Why do some radiators stay cold at the bottom?

You may be wondering if you can get help paying for a new boiler. The cost of a new gas boiler installation in the UK in 2026 ranges from £1,500 for a basic combi swap to £4,500 for a system boiler with a hot water cylinder (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). Several government grants can cover […]

5 min · 11 Jun 2026
Boilers & Heating

Is a summer boiler service cheaper?

The cheapest boiler service appointments are typically booked between April and June UK heating demand follows a clear seasonal pattern, and so does the price of boiler servicing. Data from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) shows that the period from April to June is the lowest-demand window for boiler repairs and […]

4 min · 11 Jun 2026
Boilers & Heating

Do smart radiator valves cut heating bills?

The average household with a smart thermostat saves roughly £75 a year on heating, and smart radiator valves can add to that figure when used correctly. Many UK homeowners wonder whether smart radiator valves are a worthwhile investment or just another gadget. The core question is straightforward: do they actually reduce your annual gas bill, […]

5 min · 11 Jun 2026
Boilers & Heating

Is it bad to keep topping up boiler pressure?

Topping up boiler pressure once or twice a year is normal — doing it monthly costs around £80–120 extra annually in gas A sealed central heating system should only need a small top-up of water once or twice a year. If you are regularly adding water every month, something is wrong. The national average for […]

4 min · 11 Jun 2026
Boilers & Heating

Why is my hot water fine but heating not working?

Ofgem data shows 1 in 8 UK homes reported a heating fault in the last 12 months If your radiators are cold but your taps run hot, you are far from alone. Ofgem’s 2026 Consumer Complaints and Fault Data report records that one in eight UK households reported a heating fault in the preceding year […]

4 min · 11 Jun 2026
Boilers & Heating

Should I turn my boiler off in summer?

Turning your boiler off in summer can save you money, but only if you understand the risks Many homeowners wonder whether switching the boiler off completely during warmer months is a sensible way to cut costs. The answer depends on your boiler type and how you heat your hot water. For most UK homes, turning […]

5 min · 11 Jun 2026
Boilers & Heating

What does a combi boiler cost to run per year?

The typical annual running cost for a gas combi boiler in a three-bedroom semi-detached home is £870 to £1,050 as of early 2025, based on Ofgem's pric

5 min · 20 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

How often should I service my gas boiler?

You should have your gas boiler serviced once every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement for landlords, but for ho

5 min · 20 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

Do heat pumps work in cold weather?

Yes, heat pumps work in cold weather. Modern air-source heat pumps can extract heat from outside air at temperatures as low as -15°C to -20°C, accordi

6 min · 20 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

What temperature should I set my heat pump to?

For an air source heat pump, the most efficient flow temperature is typically between 35°C and 45°C, while your room thermostat should be set to your

5 min · 20 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

Are air source heat pumps loud?

No, modern air source heat pumps are not loud by typical UK household standards. Most units produce between 40 and 60 decibels (dB) at 1 metre, which

5 min · 20 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

How long do air source heat pumps last?

An air source heat pump typically lasts 15 to 20 years, with the outdoor unit often requiring replacement after around 15 years. The UK Energy Saving

4 min · 20 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

Smart thermostats — real savings or hype?

Smart thermostats save 2-9% on heating bills per Energy Saving Trust data. Real savings, brand comparison and when they are worth it.

4 min · 20 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

Can you keep your radiators with a heat pump?

Most heat pump installs change three to six radiators, not the whole house. Which stay, which go, and how to push back on installer scope.

4 min · 20 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

Why your heat pump quote is £14,000

Heat pumps cost an average £13,431 before grants. The unit is only 30-40%. What you are paying for, why quotes vary, and the red flags.

6 min · 20 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

0% VAT on heat pumps ends in March 2027

0% VAT on heat pumps, solar and insulation ends 31 March 2027. On a £14,000 install that is £2,800 in real money. Lead times matter.

4 min · 20 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

The 2026 gas boiler ban is not a ban

There is no ban on existing gas boilers in 2026. The Future Homes Standard applies to new builds only. What is actually changing.

5 min · 20 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

Heat pump grants going up to £9,000 in July

From July 2026 the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant rises to £9,000 — but only for off-gas-grid homes. Here is who qualifies and what to do.

5 min · 20 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

Will hydrogen boilers replace gas in the UK?

No, hydrogen boilers will not replace gas boilers in UK homes on a mass scale, with the government now prioritising heat pumps over hydrogen for domestic heating (GOV.UK, 2026). The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed in its 2026 policy decision that hydrogen will play a limited role in heating, primarily for industrial […]

5 min · 13 May 2026

Boilers & Heating Glossary

COP
Coefficient of Performance. The ratio of heat output to electrical input. A COP of 3 means for every 1 kWh of electricity used, 3 kWh of heat is produced.
SCOP
Seasonal Coefficient of Performance. The average COP over an entire heating season, accounting for varying outdoor temperatures.
ASHP
Air Source Heat Pump. Extracts heat from outdoor air to heat your home and hot water. Works efficiently down to minus 15 degrees Celsius.
GSHP
Ground Source Heat Pump. Extracts heat from underground via buried pipes. More efficient than ASHPs but significantly more expensive to install.
BUS Grant
Boiler Upgrade Scheme. A government grant of 7,500 pounds towards the cost of installing a heat pump, available until 2028.
Flow temperature
The temperature of water leaving the boiler or heat pump. Heat pumps work best at lower flow temperatures (35-45C) compared to boilers (60-70C).

Boilers & Heating FAQ

You may also like

Boilers & Heating

How do heat pumps work in a house?

Heat pumps move existing heat instead of creating it by burning fuel A heat pump does not generate heat by burning gas or oil. Instead, it transfers thermal energy that already exists in the outside air, the ground, or a water source into your home. A gas boiler burns natural gas to produce heat directly. […]

5 min · 5 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

Vaillant Boiler Error Codes UK 2026

Your Vaillant boiler has flashed an error code and you want to know what it means, whether you can fix it yourself, and how much a repair might cost. This article explains the most common Vaillant error codes seen in UK homes in 2026, the likely causes, and the practical steps you can take before […]

7 min · 8 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

Common boiler PCB faults UK

A new boiler PCB costs £250–£650 — but a repair can cost as little as £80 The printed circuit board (PCB) is the central control unit of a modern boiler, often called the “brain.” When it fails, the boiler typically stops working entirely or behaves erratically. Quick Answer A boiler PCB repair costs £80-£150, while […]

6 min · 5 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

How Much Does a New Boiler Cost to Install in 2026?

Replacing a boiler is one of the largest single home improvement purchases most UK homeowners will make, and the range of prices quoted by different companies can be genuinely bewildering. Understanding what drives the cost — and what those costs actually cover — puts you in a far stronger position for getting a fair deal. […]

18 min · 12 Mar 2026
Boilers & Heating

Vaillant aroTHERM heat pump review

Vaillant aroTHERM heat pumps cut household heating emissions by roughly 60% versus a gas boiler A Vaillant aroTHERM heat pump replaces a gas boiler with an air-source heat pump. It extracts heat from the outside air and uses it to heat your home and hot water. This technology reduces carbon emissions significantly compared to gas […]

5 min · 5 May 2026
Boilers & Heating

How much heat pump?

Heat pump costs in 2026 start at £7,000 for an air-source system The single biggest question for any UK homeowner considering a heat pump is the upfront cost. Air-source heat pumps, the most common type, have an average installed cost between £7,000 and £13,000 for a typical UK home, according to the Energy Saving Trust […]

6 min · 5 May 2026