Our coverage in Cumbria runs from Carlisle, Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal and Whitehaven and the villages around them. The approach is the same everywhere: survey, design, a written quote, then installation by installers working under our contract.
Towns we cover in Cumbria
Heat pump services in Cumbria
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 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 in Cumbria
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price | After £7,500 grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £9,500–£12,500 | £2,000–£5,000 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £10,500–£13,500 | £3,000–£6,000 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £12,000–£15,500 | £4,500–£8,000 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £14,000–£18,000 | £6,500–£10,500 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £16,500–£22,500 | £9,000–£15,000 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning.
Questions
Why do my radiators feel cooler with a heat pump?
Radiators run at a lower temperature with a heat pump, so they feel warm rather than hot, but your rooms still reach the temperature you set. The heat pump delivers heat steadily over longer periods instead of in short, hot bursts. Correctly sized radiators and a flow temperature of around 35–50°C give comfortable, even warmth. If a room feels cold, the controls or a radiator size may need adjusting, which we can check.
How much does a heat pump cost to run compared with gas?
Running costs depend mostly on the system's seasonal efficiency (SCOP) and your tariff. Under the Ofgem price cap for October to December 2026 (Great Britain average), a heat pump with a SCOP of 3.0 delivers heat for about 8.8p per kWh, and at SCOP 3.5 about 7.5p, against about 8.9p from a 90% efficient gas boiler. At SCOP 3.0 that is roughly level with gas; a well-designed system with a higher SCOP, or a heat pump tariff, can bring it lower. If nothing else in the home uses gas, removing the meter also ends the gas standing charge, about £108 a year.
Can a heat pump heat an older home?
Yes, a heat pump can usually heat an older home well when it is sized from an accurate heat loss calculation and the radiators are matched to a lower flow temperature. Solid walls, high ceilings and draughty windows raise heat loss, so older homes often need a larger unit or some bigger radiators. Where radiators cannot easily change, a high-temperature unit is an option, typically £1,500–£3,000 extra as a guide price, installed and including VAT. Read heat pumps in older homes.
How do heat pump repairs work, and what do they cost?
Heat pump repairs start with a fault-finding visit, charged at a rate agreed before we attend; as a guide price, the first hour is £90–£180, including VAT. The engineer diagnoses the fault and gives you a price for the repair before any further work. Typical repairs, from sensors and valves to fans, pumps and control boards, have a guide price range of £90–£1,100, including VAT, depending on the part. See heat pump repairs.