- Area
- Dorset
- Postcode district
- BH19
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- From £9,600 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Air source heat pump installation in Swanage: what to expect
Homes around Swanage range from older terraces to newer estates, and each needs a different design. That is why we survey before we quote.
In Swanage, cylinder space is planned with you, often in an airing cupboard, utility room or garage. Terraced streets in Swanage often mean a compact unit position at the rear, so siting and sound levels are checked carefully.
We survey your home, design a heat pump system around its real heat loss, and manage the installation from the first visit to the MCS certificate.
- Houses with reasonable insulation, or a plan to improve it
- Owners who want one contract covering design, fitting and paperwork
- Owners and landlords in England and Wales eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
What's included
- Free home survey and room-by-room heat loss calculation
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme application in England and Wales where eligible
- Outdoor unit, hot water cylinder and weather compensation controls
- Commissioning, handover and a walk-through of the controls
- Removal of the old boiler or heaters
Homeowners across Dorset can arrange a survey in Swanage for a room-by-room design and a written quote before committing to anything.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
In England the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source heat pump (£9,000 if it replaces oil or LPG, from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027), and since 28 April 2026 a valid EPC is no longer needed. The grant is applied for by the MCS-certified installer and shown as a deduction on your Swanage quote.
Installing heat pumps is zero-rated for VAT across the UK until 31 March 2027. Since 29 May 2025, permitted development in England allows up to two air source heat pumps on a house, each up to 1.5 m³, with no blanket 1 m boundary rule — the installation must still meet the MCS planning standards, including the noise check. Listed buildings, flats and some conservation-area positions need extra consent, which we check at survey.
Guide prices for air source heat pump installation in Swanage
Guide prices for Swanage and the rest of Dorset are shown below, installed and inc VAT. We publish ranges rather than a single figure because design details move the price, and the written quote after survey fixes it.
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price | After £7,500 grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £9,600–£12,650 | £2,100–£5,150 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £10,600–£13,650 | £3,100–£6,150 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £12,100–£15,650 | £4,600–£8,150 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £14,150–£18,200 | £6,650–£10,700 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £16,650–£22,750 | £9,150–£15,250 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning.
How long is the heating season in Swanage?
Swanage sees roughly 7 hours 58 minutes of daylight in late December against 16 hours 29 minutes in June. Milder southern winters suit heat pumps well, though the system is still sized for a cold snap rather than an average day.
From survey to switch-on in Swanage
- Tell us about your home: postcode, property type and current heating.
- We book a survey in Swanage; the surveyor measures rooms, windows and radiators and looks at cylinder space.
- The design and quote arrive in writing, including radiator changes and the outdoor unit position.
- On installation days the old system is removed and the new one fitted and filled.
- We commission the heat pump, show you the controls and register the installation.
Air source heat pump installation in Swanage: questions
Can you service a heat pump in Swanage that someone else installed?
Yes. We arrange servicing and repairs for most air source heat pumps in Swanage, whoever fitted them. Tell us the make and model when you book.
How soon can you survey a home in Swanage?
Survey dates depend on how busy installers are in Dorset. We offer the next available dates when you enquire and confirm them in writing.
What size heat pump does a Swanage home need?
It depends on the heat loss, not the postcode. As a rough guide, a 3 bedroom semi often needs 6–9 kW, but the room-by-room survey sets the actual size for your Swanage home.
What grants can I get for a heat pump?
It depends on where you live. In England and Wales the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air-to-water heat pump, which the installer claims and deducts from your quote. In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland offers a grant of up to £7,500, with up to £1,500 more for eligible rural and island homes, but you need a written funding offer before work starts. Northern Ireland has no dedicated homeowner heat pump grant at present.
Will an air source heat pump be noisy?
Heat pumps are designed to run quietly, but where the unit sits makes a real difference. The survey looks for a position away from bedroom windows and neighbours, with clear airflow, and the installation must pass the MCS noise assessment. The fan is most noticeable on very cold days when the unit works hardest, and a little vapour during the periodic defrost is normal.