[Connor_EONNext]

@meldrewreborn Completely understandable - I think that if you have a working boiler and it suits your needs then why change? I guess it comes down to quite a few factors - cost etc

[meldrewreborn]

Originally Posted by Connor_EONNext

@meldrewreborn Completely understandable - I think that if you have a working boiler and it suits your needs then why change? I guess it comes down to quite a few factors - cost etc

There's the Capital cost , a one off if you like, and then the running costs. Whereas the capital costs of the different options can be readily identified, the future running cost is not because a heat pump is an unknown quantity in terms of its efficiency, and while the current cost of supply is known, the future costs of electricity versus gas is anybody's guess.

There isn't a free market in energy. This week we have heard people suggesting switching green levies from electricity to gas. Now in public policy terms that might be entirely sensible but to consumers it smacks of manipulation to support an ideology, and makes decision making very much harder.

[meldrewreborn]

@Connor_EONNext

Just to clarify a bit more - my total energy cost is circa £1300 per annum. £750 is the gas element. As I can't avoid the standing charge I tend to look at the cost of the units I use. So excluding S/C, my gas cost is £642 per annum.

So then I look at a new gas boiler - anywhere between £2,500 and £3,000 (actual boiler cost £750 - £1,000, rest is labour!!). Also how long would it last? -any advance on 15 years? It would certainly be more efficient - say 15% so that might save me £90 per annum - but it doesn't impact the equations that much.
Then a heat pump - cost (after Government grant) £8,000- £12,000. Longevity ? Haven't a clue! COP?

Future prices? No idea, gas could actually come down in next 2-3 years as a minor glut is forecast.

So what possible financial logic is there in changing my current arrangements?

All these things are personal and relate to our own living arrangements and living style. Plug in different levels of consumption and assumption on pricing and a different result could result. But you'll forgive me if I put Heat Pump proponents into the same category as snake oil salesmen in the past.

[Connor_EONNext]

@meldrewreborn - Thank you for the brilliant information of cost, it's a huge thing to look at when weighing up the pros and cons of heat pumps and other things for that matter 😁 There's definitely a lot to think about - especially cost/longevity, everyone likes to get their money's worth

[Lee_EONNext]

@Caroledianne Hey 👋 Been a while since we see you last? How is everything? Did you manage to get this sorted in the end?