Is Air Conditioning Heating Cheaper Than Gas Central Heating in the UK?

Air Conditioning Heating vs Gas Central Heating UK

Cut Your Home Heating Costs and Go Greener

Switch to air conditioning heating with modern heat pumps and reduce your reliance on gas. Efficient, eco-friendly, and perfect for UK homes of all sizes.

Why Choose Air Conditioning Heating?

• Cheaper to run than gas in many homes – 3-4x more heat per kWh of electricity

• Dual heating and cooling – comfort all year round

• Lower carbon footprint – electricity increasingly renewable

• Room-by-room control – no wasted energy

• No gas required – ideal for flats* and homes without a gas supply

Is It Right for Your Home?

Perfect for:

• Well-insulated modern homes and apartments

• Properties with solar panels

• Homeowners looking to save on energy bills

• Anyone wanting both heating and cooling

How Air Conditioning Heating Works in UK Homes

Air conditioning heat pumps don’t burn fuel like gas boilers. They transfer heat from outside air into your home, even in cold weather.

For every unit of electricity, a heat pump can produce 3-4 units of heat (coefficient of performance or COP). Gas boilers typically convert 85-90% of gas into usable heat.

This makes air conditioning heating an energy-efficient alternative to gas central heating in the UK.

Replacing Radiators With Air Conditioning Units for Home Heating

Many UK homeowners are replacing radiators with air conditioning units for heating, especially in properties without gas.

Wall-mounted or ducted AC units deliver warm air directly into rooms, offering faster heating and precise room-by-room temperature control.

Benefits include:

• No gas connection required

• Faster room heating than radiators

• Individual room temperature control

• Reduced maintenance and fewer boiler issues

• One system for both heating and cooling

In well-insulated homes, air conditioning heating provides the same level of comfort as traditional radiators. For hot water needs, you can complement your system with electric showers and taps, creating a fully electric solution that replaces conventional gas water heating.

Is Air Conditioning Heating More Efficient Than Gas Central Heating?

Heat pumps typically operate at 300–400% efficiency, while gas boilers cannot exceed 100%.

Running costs depend on:

• Electricity vs gas prices

• Insulation quality

• Number of rooms heated

• Frequency of system use

• Solar panel availability

Homes with solar panels benefit even more, seeing lower energy bills when using air conditioning heating.

Electricity: A Greener Alternative to Gas

Using electric air conditioning heating reduces your home’s carbon footprint. Gas boilers release carbon dioxide, while electricity increasingly comes from renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydro.

Even on a standard UK electricity grid, heat pumps produce fewer emissions per unit of heat than gas boilers, making them a long-term eco-friendly solution.

Solar Powered Air Conditioning

Comparing Running Costs in the UK

Gas is still cheaper per kWh than electricity*, but heat pumps produce multiple units of heat per kWh, closing the cost gap.

• Gas boiler: 1 kWh gas → 0.9 kWh heat

• Air conditioning heat pump: 1 kWh electricity → 3-4 kWh heat

For well-insulated homes, apartments, and properties without gas, air conditioning heating is often more cost-effective. Large, poorly insulated homes may still benefit from gas central heating.

*as of Jan 2026

Installation Costs and Long-Term Value

Air conditioning systems have upfront installation costs, but long-term benefits include:

• Reduced reliance on gas

• Summer cooling included

• Lower maintenance costs

• Future-proofing against UK low-carbon heating targets

·        Lower carbon emissions for a greener home

Is Air Conditioning Heating Right for Your Home?

Air conditioning heating is ideal for:

• Modern or well-insulated homes and apartments*

• Properties with solar panels

• Homeowners wanting to save on energy bills

• Anyone seeking both heating and cooling

Gas central heating may still suit:

• Older, poorly insulated homes

• Properties needing constant background heat

• Homes with efficient existing boilers and radiators

Cold Control: Your UK Home Heating and Cooling Experts

Modern air conditioning heating is no longer just for summer. With heat pump technology, it’s a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to gas central heating in the UK.

At Cold Control, we provide professional assessments and tailored home heating solutions to help you save on energy costs while reducing your carbon footprint.

Book Your Free Site Survey

At Cold Control, we make it easy to find the most efficient heating solution for your home or business. Our experts can assess your space and provide a free, no-obligation quote to install the ideal system.

Save on energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and enjoy year-round comfort with a solution designed specifically for your space.

Get A Quote

*Some flats or apartments may not be suitable for air conditioning installation due to individual building restrictions for outdoor units.