- Area
- Devon
- Postcode district
- EX4
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- From £9,600 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Gas boiler to heat pump for Exeter homes
Homes around Exeter range from older terraces to newer estates, and each needs a different design. That is why we survey before we quote.
Many gas-heated homes in Exeter have a combi boiler in the kitchen, so the survey starts by finding the right place for a cylinder. Installers in Exeter take out the old boiler and flue and seal the wall opening as part of the job.
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.
- Combi owners who can find space for a hot water cylinder
- Boilers that are old, unreliable or due for replacement
- 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
- Heat pump cylinder, outdoor unit and weather compensation controls
- Capping of the gas pipe at the boiler position where you are giving up gas
- Removal of the gas boiler, flue and any loft tanks
- Free survey with heat loss calculation and cylinder siting
Semi-detached and terraced houses in Exeter often have an airing cupboard that can be reused for a heat pump cylinder.
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 Exeter quote.
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.
Guide prices for replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump in Exeter
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Devon, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Exeter 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 | £9,600–£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.
Winter daylight and heating in Exeter
Exeter sees roughly 7 hours 57 minutes of daylight in late December against 16 hours 30 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 Exeter
- Tell us about your home: postcode, property type and current heating.
- We book a survey in Exeter; 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 Exeter: questions
Where would the outdoor unit go on an Exeter 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 Exeter home.
What size heat pump does an Exeter 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 Exeter home.
How long does installation take in Exeter?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for an Exeter home states the expected time.
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.
Do I need to replace the cylinder I already have?
Usually, yes. Older cylinders have a small internal coil designed for water from a boiler at around 60–70°C, and they cannot take in heat quickly enough at the lower temperatures a heat pump runs at. A heat pump cylinder has a larger coil. On its own, a cylinder supplied and fitted has a guide price of £1,200–£2,200, installed and including VAT, though it is normally part of the full system price.