New boiler, heat pumps and LED lightbulbs: how long until you get your money back?

From new boilers to bulbs and balance transfer cards, we reveal how long it really takes to get your investment back on popular money-saving devices.

When times are tough, it may be tempting to splash out on upgrades that promise lower bills or better value.

Sadly, not every so-called money-saver lives up to the hype.

In this article, we look at how long it actually takes for some of the UK’s most common “smart” spends to cover their costs.

1. Replacing an old gas boiler

Upgrading to a modern A-rated boiler can make a real difference to your energy bills if your current model is inefficient or more than 10 to 15 years old.

In fact, The Energy Saving Trust says replacing a G-rated boiler with an A-rated model could save around £420 a year, depending on your property size and gas use.

So how do the numbers add up?

• Upfront cost: boiler and installation of approximately £2,000 to £2,500
• Average saving: approximately £420 per year
• Pays for itself in: roughly five to six years

Of course, it goes without saying that your upfront costs will depend on the type of boiler you choose, with combi boilers often costing less than conventional models.

Be aware, however, your savings will be significantly smaller if you already have an efficient boiler, meaning it will take far longer to recoup your initial investment.

New boiler cost: how to save thousands when buying and installing a new boiler

2. Installing an air-source heat pump

A heat pump is a low-carbon heating system that runs on electricity. Instead of burning fuel, it captures natural heat from the air or ground and transfers it into your home.

They’re cleaner and more efficient than gas or oil boilers, but the main drawback is still the upfront cost.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, an air-source heat pump typically costs around £11,000 to install, though this depends on your property and system design.

Luckily, you can cut costs with the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers a £7,500 grant.

Unsurprisingly, running costs for these devices vary widely.

If your home is well insulated and you’re replacing an old, inefficient boiler, you could save £200 to £300 a year on heating bills.

But if you’re swapping a newer, A-rated boiler or live in a poorly insulated property, you may see little to no savings – and could even pay slightly more because electricity remains pricier than gas.

How do the sums break down?

Upfront cost: around £11,000 before grant

Average saving: £0 to £300 a year (depending on the system replaced)

Pays for itself in: roughly 10 to 15 years (and possibly never if replacing a modern boiler)

Heat pumps review: cost, different types and will it save you money?

3. Switching to LED bulbs

Replacing halogen or incandescent bulbs with LEDs is one of the simplest ways to cut energy use.

According to experts such as The Energy Saving Trust, households can save approximately £4 to £6 a year per bulb, depending on usage.

And the maths?

• Upfront cost: £2 to £4 per bulb
• Average saving: £4 to £6 per year per bulb
• Pays for itself in: approximately four to 12 months

Say you have 10 bulbs in your home, switching all your lights to LEDs could trim a minimum of £40 a year from your energy bill.

Even with fluctuating energy prices, it’s one of the few quick wins that genuinely pays for itself within a year.

4. Using a balance-transfer credit card

A 0% balance-transfer card allows you to avoid interest on existing credit card debt for a set period of time and can save you hundreds of pounds as you pay off your balance.

At present, HSBC offers the market-leading deal, with 35 months’ interest-free.

You should be aware, however, that most balance transfer cards include a fee to shift your debt – while all products vary, this is often in the region of 3%.

After that, every payment goes towards clearing your balance rather than covering interest, provided you repay before the 0% deal ends.

Say you transfer a debt of £2,000, this would equate to £60 in fees.

However, you would likely save £500 in interest (assuming a 25% APR).

• Upfront cost: roughly 3% transfer fee
• Average saving: avoids around 25% APR interest
• Pays for itself in: approximately one to two months

5. Supermarket delivery passes

If you regularly shop online with the same supermarket, a delivery pass can quickly pay off.

For example, Tesco’s Anytime Delivery Saver plan costs £7.99 a month, but you’ll need to commit to a minimum six-month term (or pay £47.94 upfront).

• Upfront cost: £47.94 for six months (minimum term)
• Average saving: replaces £3 to £7 in fees (assuming a weekly shop)
• Pays for itself in: approximately three months

If you shop weekly and stick to the same supermarket, you’ll easily save money over the six-month period.

However, these schemes are less likely to be worthwhile if you regularly switch between retailers.

Christmas supermarket deliveries 2025: when you can book slots at Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda & more

Have your say

What do you make of our list?

Have you made a purchase or signed up for a money-saving hack that didn’t deliver?

Share your experience in the comments below.