- Area
- County Durham
- Postcode district
- DH1
- Nation
- England
- Nearby
- Chester-le-Street, Stanley, Houghton-le-Spring
We cover Durham and nearby Chester-le-Street, Stanley and the rest of County Durham. A heat pump is a whole-system change, so the survey looks at radiators, pipework, the hot water cylinder and the best spot for the outdoor unit.
Heat pump services in Durham
All services in Durham:
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 Durham 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.
Heat pump guide prices in Durham
These are guide prices for County Durham, installed and including VAT. Your final price is fixed in a written quote after the survey and depends on the heat loss of the house, the radiators that need changing and where the unit goes.
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price | After £7,500 grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £9,200–£12,150 | £1,700–£4,650 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £10,200–£13,100 | £2,700–£5,600 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £11,650–£15,050 | £4,150–£7,550 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £13,600–£17,450 | £6,100–£9,950 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £16,000–£21,850 | £8,500–£14,350 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning.
Winter daylight and heating in Durham
On the shortest day Durham gets only about 7 hours 13 minutes of daylight and the noon sun sits around 12° above the horizon. Northern winters tend to be longer, so a well-designed, efficient system matters more here because it runs for more of the year.
Heat pumps in Durham: questions
How long does a heat pump survey take in Durham?
A home survey in Durham usually takes one to two hours. The surveyor measures every heated room, checks windows, walls and radiators, and looks at where the outdoor unit and cylinder can go.
What size heat pump does a Durham 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 Durham home.
Where would the outdoor unit go on a Durham house?
Usually at the side or rear, on a level base with space around it for airflow and servicing, away from bedroom windows where possible. The surveyor checks positions at your Durham home.
How soon can you survey a home in Durham?
Survey dates depend on how busy installers are in County Durham. We offer the next available dates when you enquire and confirm them in writing.