🔥 Heat pump

How much electricity does a heat pump use for heating? kWh per year and cost

Yearly electricity use of a heat pump for home heating by floor area and insulation, with the running cost and comparison with gas.

Typical use

3,000 kWh/year

Per month

$45.00 · £65.00

Per year · 3,000 kWh

$540 · £780

With normal use all year, electricity at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh all-in.

A heat pump moves heat from the outdoor air into your home: for every kWh of electricity it delivers 3–4 kWh of heat (its COP). That’s why it uses about a third of the energy of an electric heater and usually costs less to run than gas.

A 100 m² home with average insulation uses about 3,000 kWh of electricity a year for heating. It varies a lot with climate and insulation: a new, well insulated home may need half, an old house in a cold area twice as much.

Consumption compared

TypeUsagekWh/yearCost/year
70 m² flat, well insulated1,500 kWh/year1,500$270 · £390
100 m² home, average insulation3,000 kWh/year3,000$540 · £780
150 m² home, poorly insulated, cold climate7,000 kWh/year7,000$1,260 · £1,820
Hot water only (200 l heat pump water heater)700 kWh/year700$126 · £182

Yearly cost with normal use all year.

Work out your cost

Per month
$45.00
Per year
$540
Energy per year
3,000 kWh

The price is a typical all-in figure for your country: replace it with yours (bill total ÷ kWh).

How to use less

  • Keep the flow temperature low (35–45 °C) and let the heat pump run steadily: it works best with large radiators or underfloor heating.
  • With a time-of-use tariff or solar panels, heat a little more when electricity is cheapest.
  • Have the outdoor unit cleaned and the refrigerant checked: a neglected system can lose 20% of its efficiency.

FAQ

How much electricity does a heat pump use for heating?
On average about 3,000 kWh a year, from 600 to 9,000 kWh depending on model, energy class and age.
How much does it cost per year?
With normal use all year it uses about 3,000 kWh a year: about $540 · £780 at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh.
How can I reduce it?
Keep the flow temperature low (35–45 °C) and let the heat pump run steadily: it works best with large radiators or underfloor heating. With a time-of-use tariff or solar panels, heat a little more when electricity is cheapest.
🌀GuideHeat pump vs gas boiler: which is cheaper to run?

And what does your whole home use?

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