Heat pump vs natural gas: which is cheaper in 2026?
Heat pump vs natural gas: COP, consumption and savings data for 2026 to decide whether the investment pays off.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Heat pump vs natural gas: which is cheaper in 2026?
Electricity prices have risen steadily and many homeowners with natural gas radiators are considering installing a heat pump split to cover both summer and winter. The question is not whether the technology works, but whether the savings justify the investment and the comfort lost or gained.
Installation cost and payback
Heat pump splits are more expensive than cooling-only models, but the difference is usually marginal when comparing units of the same quality. One buyer cited an offer of €500 per unit with a COP of 4.01, while another reported that a high-efficiency heat pump can save up to €1,086 a year compared with gas, according to calculations published on Google. The initial investment pays back quickly in well-insulated homes: one documented case shows consumption of 0.85‑0.95 kW at 23 °C after the first hour, which works out to about €6 a month in fixed cost for contracted power.
Performance and consumption (COP/EER)
The key factor is the COP (coefficient of performance) in heating mode and the EER (energy efficiency ratio) in cooling mode. The most modern units reach COP > 4 even at –20 °C, and some models reach COP 5.5. One user reported a Fujitsu with COP 4.44 and EER 4.12, consuming less than 500 W in quiet mode. By contrast, an oil-filled radiator consumes 2,000 W and only heats the immediate area. Because a heat pump heats the air, which then heats objects, ceiling fans are needed to avoid the sensation of cold feet.
Thermal comfort and climate limitations
In climates where the outside temperature drops below 5 °C, COP falls and the heat pump may need additional electrical energy to maintain the desired temperature. Several accounts describe that in winters with lows of –14 °C the unit turns into "an ice cube", drawing several kilowatts on start-up and requiring additional contracted power (≈10 A). In addition, heat tends to accumulate at the ceiling, leaving the floor cold, which produces the typical complaint of "hot head and freezing feet".
Real cases and consumption data
One installer described a 95 m² rural home with two ducted heat pumps: 2.5 kW in the first hour, stabilising at 0.9 kW at 23 °C and 0.45 kW at 19 °C. Another user, with a three-storey installation, reported consumption of 1.02 kW (cooling) and 1.35 kW (heating) on a 4.2 kW Fujitsu, keeping 20‑21 °C on nights at 3 °C without the bill rising noticeably. By contrast, the gas bill includes a "minimum" of about €10 a month even if the boiler is not used.
Ultimately, the balance between savings and comfort depends on the home's insulation, the local climate and the willingness to take on higher contracted power. The debate remains open: the heat pump promises efficiency, but in extreme climates natural gas still offers thermal reliability with no surprises on the bill.
Related discussions in the forum
Electricity prices have risen steadily and many homeowners with natural gas radiators are considering installing a heat pump split to cover both summer and winter. The question is not whether the technology works, but whether the savings justify the investment and the comfort lost or gained.
Installation cost and payback
Heat pump splits are more expensive than cooling-only models, but the difference is usually marginal when comparing units of the same quality. One buyer cited an offer of €500 per unit with a COP of 4.01, while another reported that a high-efficiency heat pump can save up to €1,086 a year compared with gas, according to calculations published on Google. The initial investment pays back quickly in well-insulated homes: one documented case shows consumption of 0.85‑0.95 kW at 23 °C after the first hour, which works out to about €6 a month in fixed cost for contracted power.
Performance and consumption (COP/EER)
The key factor is the COP (coefficient of performance) in heating mode and the EER (energy efficiency ratio) in cooling mode. The most modern units reach COP > 4 even at –20 °C, and some models reach COP 5.5. One user reported a Fujitsu with COP 4.44 and EER 4.12, consuming less than 500 W in quiet mode. By contrast, an oil-filled radiator consumes 2,000 W and only heats the immediate area. Because a heat pump heats the air, which then heats objects, ceiling fans are needed to avoid the sensation of cold feet.
Thermal comfort and climate limitations
In climates where the outside temperature drops below 5 °C, COP falls and the heat pump may need additional electrical energy to maintain the desired temperature. Several accounts describe that in winters with lows of –14 °C the unit turns into "an ice cube", drawing several kilowatts on start-up and requiring additional contracted power (≈10 A). In addition, heat tends to accumulate at the ceiling, leaving the floor cold, which produces the typical complaint of "hot head and freezing feet".
Real cases and consumption data
One installer described a 95 m² rural home with two ducted heat pumps: 2.5 kW in the first hour, stabilising at 0.9 kW at 23 °C and 0.45 kW at 19 °C. Another user, with a three-storey installation, reported consumption of 1.02 kW (cooling) and 1.35 kW (heating) on a 4.2 kW Fujitsu, keeping 20‑21 °C on nights at 3 °C without the bill rising noticeably. By contrast, the gas bill includes a "minimum" of about €10 a month even if the boiler is not used.
Ultimately, the balance between savings and comfort depends on the home's insulation, the local climate and the willingness to take on higher contracted power. The debate remains open: the heat pump promises efficiency, but in extreme climates natural gas still offers thermal reliability with no surprises on the bill.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (104 replies).
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