Heat pump running cost in the South East
The South East England supply region, run by UK Power Networks, covers Kent, Sussex and much of Surrey; Hampshire and Berkshire fall under the separate Southern England region. In the South East, electricity is capped at about 26.67p/kWh and gas at about 7.39p/kWh (Ofgem cap, Jul-Sep 2026). A typical 3-bedroom semi (around 12,000 kWh of heat a year) would cost roughly £914/yr to run an air source heat pump (SCOP 3.5), versus about £1,091/yr on gas. That is about £177 saved a year. Enter your own home below to see your figure.
Your standard rate. The tariff scenario is shown separately.
Efficiency. 3.5 is typical.
On a standard tariff (price cap)
electricity at 26.67p/kWh
£177 /yr saved
Heat pump £914/yr · payback 21.2 yrs
On a heat pump tariff (~15p/kWh)
cheap-rate electricity
£577 /yr saved
Heat pump £514/yr · payback 6.5 yrs
Heat pump tariffs (Octopus Cosy, EDF, Scottish Power) offered off-peak rates of about 14p to 15p/kWh in June 2026. The ~15p scenario assumes most heating runs in the cheap hours.
- Now: mains gas heating
- £1,091/yr
- Gas standing charge saved
- £106/yr
- Indicative system size
- ~6kW
- Install after grant
- £3,750
- CO₂ saved
- 1,730 kg/yr
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Estimate only. Real figures depend on your home, install and tariff. Prices: Ofgem cap, Jul-Sep 2026.