- Area
- County Durham
- Postcode district
- DH1
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- From £9,200 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Gas boiler to heat pump for Durham homes
Every property in Durham is different, so the design starts from measurements rather than a rule of thumb. That keeps the system the right size and the running costs predictable.
Installers in Durham take out the old boiler and flue and seal the wall opening as part of the job. If your Durham home still cooks on gas, we talk through whether to keep the supply or switch to an induction hob.
Moving from mains gas to a heat pump means finding cylinder space, deciding what happens to the gas supply and comparing running costs on realistic assumptions.
- Homes in England and Wales eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- Combi owners who can find space for a hot water cylinder
- Households ready to give up gas entirely and drop the standing charge
What's included
- Commissioning, MCS certificate and grant application in England and Wales where eligible
- System flush and radiator upgrades where the design calls for them
- Removal of the gas boiler, flue and any loft tanks
- Capping of the gas pipe at the boiler position where you are giving up gas
- Free survey with heat loss calculation and cylinder siting
Semi-detached and terraced houses in Durham often have an airing cupboard that can be reused for a heat pump cylinder.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in Durham can use the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which takes £7,500 off the cost of an air source heat pump when it replaces fossil-fuel or electric heating. Replacing oil or LPG heating qualifies for £9,000 for installations from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027, and air-to-air systems for £2,500. The MCS-certified installer named in your quote applies for the grant and deducts it from the price.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK until 31 March 2027. In England most houses can have an air source heat pump under permitted development, provided the unit meets the MCS noise and siting standards; the old 1 m boundary limit was removed on 29 May 2025. We flag listed buildings, flats and sensitive conservation-area positions at survey.
What to budget for replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump in Durham
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in County Durham, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Durham can need quite different radiators and pipework.
| 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.
Short winter days in Durham and what they mean
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.
What happens after you enquire in Durham?
- Tell us about your home: postcode, property type and current heating.
- We book a survey in Durham; 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.
Replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump in Durham: questions
Do you cover Chester-le-Street as well as Durham?
Yes. We arrange surveys and installation in Chester-le-Street, which is about 6 miles north of Durham, and across County Durham.
How long does installation take in Durham?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for a Durham home states the expected time.
Can you service a heat pump in Durham that someone else installed?
Yes. We arrange servicing and repairs for most air source heat pumps in Durham, whoever fitted them. Tell us the make and model when you book.
What if my gas boiler is fairly new?
A newer boiler can still be replaced, but the timing is worth weighing. Some owners switch when the boiler needs a major repair; others prefer to plan the change for a convenient time. Across the UK, heat pump installation is zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027. A hybrid system, which keeps the boiler alongside a heat pump, is another option, though it is not eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales.
Should I have my gas meter removed?
If gas is used for nothing else, removing the meter ends the gas standing charge, which is about £108 a year at the October to December 2026 price cap. If you still cook on gas or have a gas fire, you will need to keep the supply. Meter removal is arranged through your gas supplier, usually once the heat pump is running; the pipe at the boiler position is capped during the installation.