The heat pump: why is it cheaper to heat than a gas-fired appliance?

Heat Pump: The Complete Guide to Sustainable Electric Heating (2025)

Welcome to the ultimate guide to heat pumps – your first step toward gas-free, energy-efficient, and future-proof living. This comprehensive blog post takes you step-by-step through the world of sustainable heating: from how heat pumps work and what they're made of, to noise tips, subsidies, and their environmental impact.

Perfect for those seriously considering switching to a heat pump .

Table of contents

1. What is a heat pump?

2. How does a heat pump work?

3. Heat pump: no or less gas

4. Environmental benefits of a heat pump

5. The importance of refrigerant

6. Tips for sound and placement of the outdoor unit

7. Difference between hybrid and fully electric

8. Which heat pump is right for your home?

9. Types of heat pumps

10. Collective heat pumps

11. Choosing a heat pump in 3 questions

12. Subsidy and costs

13. Frequently Asked Questions

14. Summary & Advice

1. What is a heat pump?

A heat pump is a sustainable alternative to your gas-fired central heating boiler. The system uses electricity and draws heat from the environment: outside air, soil, groundwater, or ventilation air. You use this energy to heat your home and possibly your hot water. This can be done with a hybrid system (in conjunction with your central heating boiler) or fully electric.

Why is that important? The Netherlands must be completely natural gas-free by 2050. A heat pump can already help you achieve this. It also ensures lower CO₂ emissions and—with smart choices—a lower energy bill.

2. How does a heat pump work?

The technology behind a heat pump is similar to a refrigerator, but in reverse. A refrigerator extracts heat from the air inside. A heat pump draws heat from outside air or the ground, compresses it with an electrically powered compressor, and then releases the heat into your home.

• Evaporator : extracts heat from the source (air/ground)

• Compressor : increases the temperature

• Condenser : releases heat to your central heating system or underfloor heating

1 kWh of electricity produces 3 to 5 kWh of heat. This makes the system much more efficient than electric heating or gas-fired boilers.

3. Heat pump: no or less gas

With a fully electric heat pump, you can live completely gas-free. With a hybrid heat pump, you reduce your gas consumption for heating by approximately 60%. Your electricity consumption will increase, but the high efficiency makes this financially more advantageous.

CO₂ gain compared to a high-efficiency boiler:

• Hybrid: -30% to -50% CO₂

• All-electric + green energy: up to -100% CO₂ (climate neutral)

4. Environmental benefits of a heat pump

A heat pump uses less energy and emits less CO₂. However, there is an environmental impact:

• Production requires raw materials (metal, plastics, electronics)

• Not all electricity is 100% green

• Transport and production cause emissions

However, the environmental impact is still significantly lower than that of a gas-fired system. The climate benefits increase further when you:

• Green energy used

• Choose recyclable materials

• A system using natural refrigerant

5. The importance of refrigerant

A heat pump uses a refrigerant to transport heat. Commonly used synthetic refrigerants (such as R32) are potent greenhouse gases. New-generation heat pumps use natural refrigerants such as:

• Propane (low GWP, but flammable)

• CO₂

• Ammonia

• Isobutane

Always choose a heat pump with a natural refrigerant. This significantly reduces the environmental impact, even in the event of a leak.

6. Tips for sound and placement

Heat pumps with an outdoor unit (air/water) can produce noise. This is usually 35–45 dB at a distance of a few meters. There are legal standards:

• Max. 45 dB during the day

• Max. 40 dB at night

Tips:

• Do not place the outdoor unit directly against the bedroom window

• Use vibration dampers and sound boxes

• Choose quiet units (< 35 dB)

• Consider ground or PVT solutions (no outdoor unit)

7. Difference between hybrid and fully electric

Hybrid heat pump

• Works together with central heating boiler

• Heating via heat pump, hot water via boiler

• Good for moderately insulated homes

Fully electric heat pump

• Completely replaces central heating boiler

• Heating + hot water electric

• Only suitable with good insulation

8. Which heat pump is right for your home?

The choice depends on:

• Year of construction

• Degree of insulation

• Type of house (terraced, detached)

• Available space for outdoor unit

• Budget

Quick test: Set your central heating to 50°C. Does your house stay comfortably warm? Then it's already suitable for a heat pump.

9. Types of heat pumps

• Air-water : heat from outside air

• Groundwater : heat from deep underground (most expensive, highest yield)

• Ventilation heat pump : uses extracted ventilation air

• Monoblock : all-in-one outdoor unit, compact

• PVT : solar panels with heat recovery

10. Collective heat pumps

In addition to individual systems, there are also collective solutions:

• One central heat pump for multiple homes

• Or shared ground source with its own heat pump per home

Ideal for new construction projects or homeowners' associations with joint sustainability efforts.

11. Choosing a heat pump in 3 questions

1. Is my house well insulated?

   • Yes → all-electric

   • No → hybrid

2. Do I want to stop using gas completely in the long term?

   • Choose an all-electric-ready hybrid

3. Is my boiler older than 12 years?

   • Time to switch. Get advice.

12. Subsidy and costs

The ISDE scheme provides up to €3,750 in subsidies:

Average cost:

• Hybrid heat pump: €4,000 – €7,000

• All-electric air/water: €8,000 – €12,000

• Ground source heat pump: €12,000 – €18,000

Payback period: 6 – 10 years, faster with rising gas prices.

13. Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a heat pump last? 10-15 years, with proper maintenance.

Can I cool with a heat pump? Yes. Some systems can cool actively or passively.

Do I need underfloor heating? Low-temperature output is better, and R290 can also heat older radiators. This is also possible with LTH radiators.

Is it suitable for older homes? Usually, with hybrids, yes. Insulation is always worthwhile.

14. Summary & Advice

A heat pump is the solution for sustainable heating:

• ✅ Reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 100%

• ✅ Less to no natural gas required

• ✅ Lower energy costs in the long term

• ✅ Higher home value

• ✅ Comfortable and future-oriented living

At New-Heating we are happy to help you:

• Free consultation

• Installation by certified technicians

• Maintenance and monitoring

• Assistance with subsidy applications

🌐 Visit www.new-heating.com for a free quote or contact us for personal advice.