London, June 2025 – Gas boilers remained the overwhelming choice for UK households and businesses in 2024, outselling heat pumps by a margin of fifteen to one. New figures underline the challenge facing government plans to scale up low-carbon heating, with affordability and awareness still proving major barriers to heat pump adoption.
According to industry data, more than 1.5 million gas boilers were fitted across the UK last year. Heat pump installations, while showing steady growth, reached only around 60,000 units. Certification records confirm a 43 percent rise in heat pump adoption compared with 2023, but the totals remain far from the target of 600,000 installations annually by 2028.
| 2024 Installations | Gas Boilers | Heat Pumps |
|---|---|---|
| Units Installed | 1,500,000+ | ~60,000 |
| Growth vs 2023 | +2% | +43% |
The disparity highlights both the persistence of traditional gas infrastructure and the slower pace of public transition. Analysts cite lower upfront costs, ready availability of installers, and familiarity with gas systems as reasons why most households continue to favour boilers, even with government grants of up to £7,500 for heat pumps under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Across Europe, countries such as Germany and Sweden are achieving higher rates of heat pump adoption thanks to subsidies, training, and lower electricity pricing. By contrast, UK households face higher electricity costs relative to gas, making the economics of switching less attractive.
Bill, spokesperson for Flair Facilities, commented: “Gas boilers are still the default choice because they are affordable, familiar, and backed by an established supply chain. Heat pumps are growing, but unless policy and market conditions shift, boilers will remain dominant in the short term.”
The figures come as policymakers prepare for a critical phase-out of gas boilers in new homes later this decade. Industry groups warn that unless uptake accelerates sharply, the UK risks missing key decarbonisation targets for the heating sector.
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Flair Facilities continues to track the real-world performance of heating technologies in the UK.
For an in-depth analysis of why gas boilers outpaced heat pumps 15-to-1 last year,
read our full article here.
