Heat pumps can significantly improve your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating compared to traditional gas boilers. EPCs are designed to assess a property’s energy efficiency, and the heating system plays a critical role in that evaluation. Here’s how the two systems compare:
✅ Efficiency and Energy Use
Heat Pumps (especially air source and ground source) typically operate at 300–400% efficiency, meaning they produce 3–4 units of heat for every unit of electricity used.
Gas Boilers, even high-efficiency condensing types, usually max out at around 90–95% efficiency.
👉 This higher efficiency of heat pumps lowers the building’s primary energy usage, which directly improves your EPC rating.
✅ Carbon Emissions
EPC ratings are influenced heavily by carbon output.
While gas boilers rely on fossil fuels, heat pumps run on electricity, which is becoming increasingly decarbonised in the UK due to the national grid’s greener energy mix.
👉 Properties with heat pumps tend to score better on environmental impact ratings, which is reflected in their EPC.
✅ Running Costs (EPC Consideration)
Although EPCs estimate running costs, the rating also accounts for fuel type and system design. If your property is well-insulated and the heat pump is correctly sized and installed, it can result in lower predicted heating costs on the EPC report.
⚠️ Potential EPC Pitfalls with Heat Pumps
Poor installation or incorrect settings can undermine the heat pump’s performance, leading to suboptimal EPC outcomes.
Older EPC assessment software versions sometimes undervalued heat pumps, but modern updates are much more accurate.
EPC Impact Summary
| System Type | Efficiency | Carbon Impact | Likely EPC Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Pump | High | Low | A to B (with insulation) |
| Gas Boiler | Moderate | Higher | C to D (average UK home) |
Looking to Upgrade?
At Urgent EPC, we offer professional guidance on how to boost your EPC rating, including heating system evaluations. If you’re planning to install a heat pump or want to reassess your current EPC, we can help you get fast, certified results.
📞 Call Us Today: +447741 812864
💬 Email: info@urgentepc.co.uk
🌐 Get a Same-Day EPC: https://urgentepc.co.uk/same-day-energy-performance-certificate-epc/
