A Clear Breakdown of Heating Bills—Fast
Every winter, that moment comes: you peek at your energy bill and wince. Heating costs can spiral without warning. But here’s the thing—if you’re comparing operating costs, an air source heat pump vs propane furnace showdown is eye-opening. We’ll walk you through real numbers, UK prices and efficiency ratings so you can see which system really wins the heat pump cost comparison.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
* How propane fuel prices stack up against electricity.
* Why heat pumps deliver more heat per unit of energy.
* The true cost per million BTUs of each system.
* Grants, installation and finance hacks from Megawave.
Ready for the most accurate heat pump cost comparison? See our heat pump cost comparison and make sense of your next heating upgrade.
Understanding Operating Costs
When we talk about operating costs, we mean two things:
1. The price you pay for fuel (propane or electricity).
2. How efficiently your boiler, furnace or heat pump turns that fuel into heat.
Efficiency is measured by the Coefficient of Performance (COP). A COP of 1 means you get one unit of heat for every unit of energy you spend. Propane furnaces hover around a COP of 0.96—nearly 100% efficient, but they burn fuel rather than move heat. Air source heat pumps don’t burn anything. They pump heat from the air, and top-tier models easily hit COPs of 3.0 or higher, even when it’s 5 °C outside.
Looking purely at kWh or litres hides the story. You need to calculate cost per million BTUs to compare apples with apples. Stick around—we’ll crunch the numbers for you.
How Propane Furnaces Add Up
Propane (LPG) is popular in rural UK homes without natural gas mains. It’s readily available, and modern propane boilers can be very reliable. But how much does that reliability cost?
- Fuel price: ~£0.40 per litre (roughly £1.82 per UK gallon).
- Energy content: 25 MJ per litre (≈6.94 kWh).
- COP: 0.96 for a good condensing boiler.
To produce 1 million BTUs (≈293 kWh) of heat:
1. You’d burn 42 litres of LPG (293 kWh ÷ 6.94 kWh per litre).
2. At £0.40 per litre, that’s £16.80.
3. Adjust for COP: £16.80 ÷ 0.96 ≈ £17.50 per million BTUs.
That’s a solid baseline. No surprises. But keep that figure in mind when we bring in heat pumps.
Air Source Heat Pump Efficiency Explained
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) aren’t generating heat—they’re relocating it. Even when the mercury drops to 0 °C, R290-based Megawave units maintain a COP above 2.5. In milder conditions (10–15 °C), they’re above 3.5. Here’s a typical UK scenario:
- Electricity price: £0.30 per kWh.
- Heat pump COP: 3.0 (seasonal average).
To produce 1 million BTUs (293 kWh):
1. You’d draw 98 kWh from the grid (293 kWh ÷ 3.0 COP).
2. At £0.30 per kWh, that’s £29.40.
Compared to £17.50 for LPG? It seems twice as expensive—until you factor in full‐year performance. A heat pump COP climbs above 3.5 in autumn and spring. If your system averages 3.2 over the year:
98 kWh ÷ (3.2 COP ÷ 3.0 COP) ≈ 92 kWh
Cost: 92 kWh × £0.30 ≈ £27.60 per million BTUs.
Still higher than LPG, right? Well, that’s before renewable tariffs and time-of-use deals. On an overnight rate of £0.15 per kWh, the cost plummets to £13.80. Suddenly, the heat pump cost comparison flips in your favour.
Comparing Lifetime Costs
Upfront, a propane boiler might cost £2,500–£4,000 installed. A Megawave heat pump, with tailor-made design, runs £8,000–£12,000. On paper, heat pumps look pricier. But let’s stretch that view:
Installation and warranty
– Propane boiler: 2-year warranty, maintenance every year.
– Megawave ASHP: 5-year factory warranty, optional service packages for peak performance.
Energy bills over 15 years
– Propane: £850 per year average → £12,750 total.
– Heat pump (with renewable tariff): £450 per year average → £6,750 total.
Government grants
Under the UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you can claim up to £5,000 off an ASHP installation. Suddenly, the gap shrinks:
– Net cost heat pump: £7,000 → £2,000 more than a boiler.
– Total 15-year running + capital: £8,750 vs £15,750.
Now the heat pump cost comparison is a no-brainer if you plan long-term.
Environmental Impact and Emissions
Carbon counts. A modern propane boiler emits around 200 gCO₂ per kWh of heat. An ASHP on the UK grid emits around 50 gCO₂ per kWh. Factor in green tariffs or future zero-carbon electricity, and you could drop to near-zero emissions:
- Propane: ~2 tonnes CO₂ per household annually.
- Heat pump: ~0.5 tonnes CO₂ (with standard mix).
If cutting carbon is on your list, air source heat pumps win on both consumption and emissions.
Making the Switch: Installation, Grants and Financing
Switching isn’t just about picking a unit off the shelf. Megawave offers a full service:
– Tailored system design.
– Seamless installation by certified engineers.
– Flexible finance options bridging the upfront gap.
– Ongoing maintenance support and smart controls.
You might even bag the £5,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. Our team handles the paperwork for you. Ready to take the first step? Get your free air source heat pump quote and see how much you could save.
Considering energy savings and carbon cuts? You don’t need to wait. Request a bespoke heat pump installation quotation today and lock in your grant.
Halfway through the choices? Still weighing numbers? Dive deeper into the heat pump cost comparison and ask our experts anything. Discover more detailed comparison figures
Real-World Examples and Testimonials
“I switched from LPG to a Megawave heat pump last autumn. My annual bill dropped by 40%, and I got the grant sorted in a week. Plus, it’s whisper-quiet.”
— Emma J., Oxfordshire
“Our SME office installed a twin-split heat pump last winter. We shaved £1,200 off our energy bills and cut carbon by half. Megawave’s installation team was top notch.”
— Raj P., Manchester
“Finance was my big worry. Megawave’s plan made costs manageable, and the system paid for itself in under six years. Totally recommend.”
— Karen L., Swansea
Conclusion
When you tally up fuel costs, efficiency and carbon impact, the heat pump cost comparison tips in favour of air source heat pumps—especially with grants and green tariffs. Propane furnaces shine on reliability and lower capital outlay, but long-term you’ll pay more at the pumps and on emissions.
If you’re aiming for both cost savings and sustainability, it’s time to explore the full Megawave package: expert design, R290 refrigerant, flexible finance and hassle-free installation.
Make your next heating decision count. Find out more heat pump cost comparison options and step into an eco-friendly future.
Share
Related posts
