My Boiler Broke - Should I Get a New Boiler or Switch to a Heat Pump?
Your boiler has broken down. You need heat, possibly urgently. Here is an honest, no-nonsense guide to whether a heat pump makes sense right now or whether a new boiler is the pragmatic choice.
The honest truth about heat pump timelines
If your boiler failed this week and you have no heating or hot water, a heat pump is almost certainly not the right immediate solution. Here is why:
Total realistic minimum: 6-8 weeks. Often 10-12 weeks in busy periods.
If you need heat within the next week
Option 1 — Emergency boiler repair. If your boiler is under 10 years old and it is a fixable fault (pump, diverter valve, PCB), emergency repair is often £200-800 and buys you time to plan a proper heat pump installation properly.
Option 2 — New gas boiler now, heat pump later. A new gas boiler can be installed in 1-2 days. You can still switch to a heat pump in 2-3 years when you have more time to plan. The BUS grant will still exist until at least March 2028.
Option 3 — Temporary electric heating. Plug-in panel heaters or convectors (£30-80 each) can keep rooms warm while you wait for a proper heat pump installation. Electric hot water cylinders (£150-300 for immersion) cover hot water. Running costs are high but manageable for 6-8 weeks.
Decision factors: boiler vs heat pump
Heat pump installation requires a heat loss survey, MCS paperwork, BUS voucher application, and often radiator and cylinder upgrades. Minimum 4-6 weeks realistically.
If you're replacing an oil or LPG boiler, the economics strongly favour a heat pump — running cost savings of £400-900/year are typical.
A 3-year-old boiler that's broken is probably worth repairing. A 15-year-old boiler is at end of life — the repair cost rarely makes sense when you're about to replace it in 2-3 years regardless.
Heat pumps work best with good insulation. A poorly insulated property can still have a heat pump but the running costs will be higher until insulation is improved.
A new gas boiler costs £2,000-4,500 installed. A heat pump after the £7,500 BUS grant costs £2,500-10,500. The grant significantly closes the gap but still requires planning.
When it IS worth pursuing a heat pump despite the urgency
Oil or LPG heating: If you're replacing an oil boiler, the economics are compelling enough that waiting 8-10 weeks with temporary heating is worth it. Annual savings of £500-900/year on running costs, plus the £7,500 grant, mean the financial case is strong.
Well-insulated new or recent property: If your home was built after 2000 with good insulation, you can often fast-track a heat pump installation more easily — fewer upgrades needed, simpler survey outcome.
You can get on a cancellation list: Some installers maintain cancellation lists and can fit jobs within 3-4 weeks when a slot opens. Worth asking.
Important disclaimer
heatpumpcompared.co.uk is editorially independent and not affiliated with any heat pump manufacturer or installer. We do not provide heating advice. Prices, specifications, SCOP ratings and grant amounts are correct as of April 2026 but are subject to change. Always commission a professional heat loss survey before purchasing a heat pump system.