Heat Pump vs. boiler—which is the right option for you?

At a glance

• Heat pumps are more energy-efficient as they simply extract heat from the air and move it in and out of your home, instead of generating their own warm or cool air. They also provide both heating and cooling in one system.
• Boilers are cheaper to install, but less efficient as they do generate their own heat. They also come with higher maintenance costs.
• Cold climates may require a dual system combining a heat pump and a boiler.

When deciding on the best way to heat your home, the choices can be overwhelming. In this blog, we'll offer a home heating systems comparison between two popular options: the cold climate heat pump and the traditional boiler. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision about the most energy-efficient heating system for your needs.

We'll cover the pros and cons of each system so you can determine which one fits your home and lifestyle best. Once you’ve weighed your options, you can schedule a free consultation with Tetra to get the upgrade process started. 

If you’re just learning about cold climate heat pumps, you’re not alone. High-efficiency heat pumps have gained popularity recently because they offer outstanding comfort during winter while using far less energy than a traditional boiler. Let’s break down the key differences between these two systems:

How do boilers work? 

Boilers use fossil fuels like natural gas or propane heat water, which can then be used to warm a building or generate heat for various uses. The heat is usually distributed through pipes in your home.

How do heat pumps work?

Heat pumps on the other hand, extract heat from the outside air and transfer it indoors. Since they don’t generate their own heat like a boiler, they are more energy-efficient, offer long term savings on your power bill, and offer a cleaner, emission-free source of heating for your home. 

Boiler benefits

Affordability: If your home's radiators and distribution pipes are in good shape, replacing an old boiler with a new one can be less expensive than installing a heat pump.

Familiarity: Boilers are a well-known technology that many homeowners are comfortable with.

Hot water: A boiler can also supply your home’s hot water, eliminating the need for a separate water heater.

Fuel flexibility: Boilers can use multiple fuel sources, including electricity, gas, or oil.

Longevity: Boilers can last 15 years or more with proper maintenance.

Boiler disadvantages 

Energy-efficiency: Boilers are much less efficient than heat pumps, leading to higher ongoing energy costs.

Safety risks: Boilers, along with any combusting system, carry risks of carbon monoxide gas leaks and increased allergies and home pollutants. 

Slow response: Boilers take time to change your home's temperature after you adjust the thermostat.

Uneven heating: Heating can be inconsistent, with some rooms warmer than others.

Noise and maintenance: Boilers can be noisy and expensive to repair if something goes wrong.

Outdated technology: Boiler systems are becoming increasingly obsolete and replacement parts can be hard to find.

Heat pump advantages 

Efficiency: Heat pumps are far more efficient than boilers, reducing energy waste significantly and leading to lower power bills.

Versatility: Heat pumps provide heating and cooling in one energy-efficient package.

Safety: Heat pumps don’t require the use of fossil fuels, nor do they allow any emissions or risk of explosions near your home.

Little to no noise: Modern heat pumps are nearly silent when running.

Low maintenance: Heat pumps require less maintenance than boilers as their filters only need to be cleaned, instead of replaced. You can also say goodbye to managing radiators or underfloor heating systems. Combine this with the fact that Tetra offers 10 years of free repairs and maintenance on any system and you’re set. 

Advanced technology: Heat pumps use advantage technology to transfer heat rather than generate it. They’re the future of heating and cooling and will only become better with time. 

Customization: Heat pumps allow you to heat or cool certain zones of your home, so you can save power and money when you only need to heat part of the house.

Reliability: Because heat pumps require less maintenance, you can trust that they will do their job when you need them to.

Heat pump disadvantages

Initial Cost: Heat pumps can be more expensive to install than boilers, especially if you need to replace an entire system.

Cold Climate Limitations: Heat pumps work at 100% capacity up to -13F and are the primary system for heating in extremely cold climates like Norway and Sweden. If you live somewhere with an extremely cold climate, you could potentially need a boiler as backup. However, this limitation only applies to places with the most extremely cold climates.

Is a heat pump better than a boiler?

There is not one universal answer to this question, it all depends on the size of your home, the climate of where you live, and the amount of energy that you usually consume. However, heat pumps are generally more efficient, lower maintenance, and better at reducing your carbon footprint than boilers. 

There’s heat pumps, then there’s heat pumps through Tetra 

When considering a heating system upgrade, there’s no better partner than Tetra. We offer free, virtual estimates, find and apply for rebates on your behalf, manage the installation of your new system quickly, and cover all repairs and maintenance on your system for 10 years. Let us help you get started today.