Why combining clean tech is the smartest move for UK homeowners right now
Thinking of getting a heat pump? Good call. But if you really want to cut your energy bills and future-proof your home, pairing a heat pump with solar panels (and maybe even a battery) is where the magic happens. Not only does it make your home greener, but it can also massively reduce — or even eliminate — your electricity costs over time.
Heat pumps + solar = a winning combo
Let’s break it down:
- A heat pump pulls heat from the air outside and uses electricity to warm your home efficiently.
- Solar panels turn sunlight into free electricity.
- And a battery stores that solar energy so you can use it later — like when the sun’s down but your heat pump is still running.
On their own, each of these is great. But together, they create a home energy ecosystem that keeps your bills low and your carbon footprint even lower.
The ‘spark gap’ explained
You might’ve heard about the spark gap — it’s the difference between the cost of gas (measured in pence per kilowatt-hour) and electricity. Right now, in the UK, electricity is significantly more expensive than gas. This can make some people hesitant to switch to an electric heating system like a heat pump.
But here’s the catch:
- Heat pumps are 300–400% efficient, meaning they can produce 3–4 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity used.
- Gas boilers are typically 90% efficient at best.
So even though electricity costs more per unit, heat pumps can still come out ahead on running costs — especially when powered by your own solar energy.
And that spark gap? It won’t last forever. The UK is phasing out fossil fuels, and as we generate more clean electricity (from wind, solar, and nuclear), the cost of electricity is expected to drop. Meanwhile, gas is becoming more expensive and less stable.
Store your own energy, skip the grid
Adding a battery takes things to the next level. During the day, your solar panels charge your battery. In the evening or on cloudy days, your home draws from the stored energy — instead of the pricey national grid. That means even more savings, and less dependence on unpredictable energy prices.
And if you have an EV? Even better — you’re charging it with sunshine instead of petrol.
Why now is the best time to act
In 2025, incentives are still generous:
- You can get £7,500 off your heat pump install via the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
- There’s 0% VAT on energy-saving materials (including solar panels and batteries) until 2027.
- Tech is improving fast, with smarter controls, better efficiency, and installers more experienced than ever.
As demand increases and subsidies eventually drop off, waiting could mean higher prices and longer lead times.
Bottom line: If you want a warm, low-cost, low-carbon home, combining a heat pump with solar panels (and ideally a battery) is the smartest move you can make — and 2025 is the perfect time to do it.
So if you’re interested in renewable energy solutions in Cheshire, and want to stop worrying about energy bills and fossil fuel prices – let the sun do the work.