Survey: cold snap proves heat pumps keep homes as warm as gas boilers

• New data shows heat pump customers were more comfortable than those with gas boilers during the latest cold snap
• Nine out of ten heat pump owners were satisfied with their home’s warmth during cold weather, compared to eight out of ten gas boiler users
• Heat pump customers were also more satisfied overall – and far happier with running costs

A new survey of more than 1,800 UK households carried out during the latest cold snap reveals that people who have heat pumps installed reported higher comfort, higher overall satisfaction, and significantly better value for money than those relying on gas boilers.*

When asked how well their heating kept their home warm during the cold weather, nine out of ten (85%) heat pump owners said they were satisfied with performance, compared to eight out of ten (80%) gas boiler users.

Overall approval for heat pumps during the cold snap also pipped out gas boilers, with almost every heat pump customer (89%) reporting satisfaction with their heating system compared to three quarters (78%) of gas boiler users.

The benefits don’t end there – thanks to the £7,500 grant from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), the cost of getting a heat pump is now often broadly in line with buying a new gas boiler.

On top of that, smart tariffs designed for heat pumps mean they can also be cheaper to run. Octopus’ Cosy Octopus tariff can save heat pump customers up to £360 a year on heating costs compared to gas boiler customers on a standard tariff.

This difference is also reflected in the survey data: two thirds (66%) of heat pump users were satisfied with their running costs, while less than half (44%) of gas boiler owners were satisfied with their running costs.

The findings challenge the myth that heat pumps struggle – or become more expensive – in cold weather, even during the winter cold snaps across much of the UK.

Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product Officer at Octopus Energy Group, said: 

“Every winter we hear the same worry that heat pumps won’t cope when temperatures drop – and every winter the data tells a different story.

“Customers with heat pumps are staying just as warm as those with gas boilers, and they’re happier with the experience overall – especially when it comes to running costs. Modern heat pumps are built for British winters, cold snaps included.”

*Survey of 1,820 Octopus Energy customers who had either a heat pump or a gas boiler installed in their house. Survey carried out by Octopus Energy between 5th and 8th January 2026.