Start with the bill you most want to cut
Solar reduces the electricity you buy. A heat pump changes how you heat your home, and it replaces gas, oil or LPG spending with electricity. If most of your annual energy spend is heating — which it is for the majority of UK homes — the heat pump is the larger lever, but it is also the larger project.
Do solar first if…
- Your boiler is under about ten years old and working well.
- You want to spend less upfront and see a return sooner.
- Someone is home in the day, or you charge an EV, so you use generation directly.
- You have an unshaded south, east or west-facing roof.
See typical prices in our solar cost guide, then compare offers using our quote comparison checklist.
Do the heat pump first if…
- Your boiler is near end of life, or you are off the gas grid on oil or LPG.
- You are already planning radiator, insulation or extension work.
- You want to use available grant support while it applies to your property.
Our heat pump cost guide and running cost guide cover what to expect, and heat pump grants explains the current schemes.
Where battery storage fits
A battery is usually the third step, not the first. It makes the most sense once you already have solar, or once you are on a time-of-use tariff and can charge cheaply overnight — which is also what makes a heat pump cheaper to run. See is battery storage worth it?
Still not sure?
You do not have to decide before getting quotes. Tick more than one option on our enquiry form and we will match you with installers who can quote for each, so you can compare the real numbers for your property rather than national averages.