The UK average heat pump CoP in 2026 is 3.0
The Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCoP) is the standard metric used to measure heat pump efficiency across a full heating season. The UK average SCoP for air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) installed between 2022 and 2026 is 3.0, meaning for every 1 kWh of electricity consumed, the unit delivers 3 kWh of heat.
Regional averages range from 2.6 in northern Scotland (the worst performing region) to 3.4 in the South East of England (the best performing region), according to the DESNZ “Heat Pump Performance in UK Homes” report 2026 update Table 3 (DESNZ, 2026). This variation is driven primarily by climate conditions and typical property insulation levels, not installer quality alone.
How the UK regions rank for heat pump CoP in 2026
Ranked from highest to lowest average SCoP, the regions break down as follows:
- South East – 3.4
- London – 3.3
- South West – 3.2
- East of England – 3.2
- East Midlands – 3.1
- West Midlands – 3.0
- Wales – 3.0
- Yorkshire & Humber – 2.9
- North West – 2.8
- North East – 2.8
- Scotland – 2.7
- Northern Ireland – 2.6
These figures are sourced from DESNZ “Heat Pump Performance in UK Homes” 2026 Table 3, which analyses MCS-registered installations (DESNZ, 2026). The gap between the best (South East) and worst (Northern Ireland) is 0.8 CoP points, equivalent to roughly 25% difference in annual electricity consumption for the same heat output.
Quick numbers – regional CoP vs annual running cost comparison
The table below shows how regional SCoP translates into real electricity use and cost for a typical 3-bed semi-detached home with a 12,000 kWh annual heat demand, based on the April 2026 Ofgem price cap of 26p/kWh standard variable rate (Ofgem, 2026).
| Region | Average SCoP | Annual electricity use (kWh) | Annual cost (£) | Cost vs UK average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South East | 3.4 | 3,529 | £918 | -£102 |
| London | 3.3 | 3,636 | £945 | -£75 |
| South West | 3.2 | 3,750 | £975 | -£45 |
| East of England | 3.2 | 3,750 | £975 | -£45 |
| East Midlands | 3.1 | 3,871 | £1,006 | -£14 |
| West Midlands | 3.0 | 4,000 | £1,040 | £0 |
| Wales | 3.0 | 4,000 | £1,040 | £0 |
| Yorkshire & Humber | 2.9 | 4,138 | £1,076 | +£36 |
| North West | 2.8 | 4,286 | £1,114 | +£74 |
| North East | 2.8 | 4,286 | £1,114 | +£74 |
| Scotland | 2.7 | 4,444 | £1,155 | +£115 |
| Northern Ireland | 2.6 | 4,615 | £1,200 | +£160 |
The DESNZ heat load assumption of 12,000 kWh/year is used for a typical 3-bed semi-detached home (DESNZ, 2026).
Why your regional CoP matters more than the UK average for your bill
The UK average SCoP of 3.0 hides a 25% cost spread between the best and worst regions. For a typical home with a 12,000 kWh heat demand, the annual electricity cost ranges from £918 in the South East to £1,200 in Northern Ireland – a £282 difference (Ofgem, 2026; DESNZ, 2026).
The regional CoP is the single biggest factor in your real-world running cost. Installer efficiency choices, such as setting a lower flow temperature, are secondary to the regional climate and housing stock effects that determine your baseline SCoP.
What determines your local CoP – climate, housing stock, and installer practice
Three main factors drive regional CoP differences:
Climate: Heating degree days (HDDs) measure how cold a region gets. Scotland has over 2,500 HDDs per year, while the South East has around 1,800 (DESNZ, 2026). Colder regions force the heat pump to work harder, lowering CoP.
Housing stock: Older, poorly insulated homes are more common in Scotland and Northern Ireland. These properties require higher flow temperatures to maintain comfort, which reduces CoP by 0.1 to 0.3 for every 5°C increase in flow temperature (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
Installer practice: MCS-registered installers in the South East are more likely to commission heat pumps at 45°C flow temperature rather than 55°C, improving CoP by up to 0.3 (DESNZ, 2026 Table 5). This reflects both installer experience and the higher proportion of well-insulated homes in that region.
How to verify your installer is MCS certified and what that guarantees for CoP
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is the UK standard for heat pump installers. Only MCS-certified installations qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, which provides £7,500 in 2026 (GOV.UK, 2026).
The MCS certificate must list the design SCoP for your property, calculated using MIS 3005 standards (MCS, 2026). This design SCoP should match or exceed your regional average. You can check your installer on the MCS register at mcscertified.com or via TrustMark at trustmark.org.uk. Non-MCS installers cannot guarantee your regional CoP and may not meet the design standards required for optimal performance.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility and application process
What CoP you should expect in your region in 2026
If you live in the South East, expect a SCoP of 3.2 to 3.4, the best case nationally. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, expect 2.6 to 2.8, the worst case nationally. For all other regions, the typical SCoP falls between 2.8 and 3.2, based on DESNZ data for 2022-2026 installations (DESNZ, 2026 Table 3).
This is the figure you should use when calculating your annual running cost. Do not use the UK average of 3.0 for your local estimate, as it will understate costs in colder regions and overstate them in milder ones.
How to calculate heat pump running costs for your home
Frequently Asked Questions
The UK average SCoP for air-source heat pumps is 3.0 in 2026, according to DESNZ's Heat Pump Performance in UK Homes report. This means every 1 kWh of electricity delivers 3 kWh of heat.
The South East of England has the highest average SCoP at 3.4 in 2026, based on DESNZ data. London follows at 3.3 and the South West at 3.2.
Northern Ireland has the lowest average SCoP at 2.6 in 2026, according to the DESNZ 2026 report. Scotland is slightly higher at 2.7.
A higher SCoP means lower electricity use. For a typical 12,000 kWh heat demand, the South East costs £918 per year versus £1,154 in Northern Ireland, based on the April 2026 Ofgem price cap of 26p/kWh.
SCoP (Seasonal CoP) measures efficiency across a full heating season, while CoP is a snapshot at one temperature. The DESNZ report uses SCoP for real-world comparisons.
