- Area
- Devon
- Postcode district
- EX34
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- From £9,600 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Gas boiler to heat pump for Ilfracombe homes
Most homes can run on a heat pump if the system is designed properly, and Ilfracombe is no different. The key is matching the heat pump and radiators to the home's heat loss.
Many gas-heated homes in Ilfracombe have a combi boiler in the kitchen, so the survey starts by finding the right place for a cylinder. Rear gardens and side returns in Ilfracombe usually offer a sensible spot for the outdoor unit, checked for airflow and neighbours.
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
- Boilers that are old, unreliable or due for replacement
- Combi owners who can find space for a hot water cylinder
What's included
- Heat pump cylinder, outdoor unit and weather compensation controls
- Free survey with heat loss calculation and cylinder siting
- System flush and radiator upgrades where the design calls for them
- Capping of the gas pipe at the boiler position where you are giving up gas
- Commissioning, MCS certificate and grant application in England and Wales where eligible
Installers in Ilfracombe take out the old boiler and flue and seal the wall opening as part of the job.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in Ilfracombe 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 Ilfracombe
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 Ilfracombe 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.
Short winter days in Ilfracombe and what they mean
On the shortest day Ilfracombe gets about 7 hours 52 minutes of daylight, and the winter sun reaches only around 15° above the horizon at noon. Winters this far south are milder than in most of the UK, which helps a heat pump run at low flow temperatures for much of the season.
The steps for replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump in Ilfracombe
- Tell us about your home: postcode, property type and current heating.
- We book a survey in Ilfracombe; 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 Ilfracombe: questions
How long does a heat pump survey take in Ilfracombe?
A home survey in Ilfracombe 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.
How long does installation take in Ilfracombe?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for an Ilfracombe home states the expected time.
Where would the outdoor unit go on an Ilfracombe 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 Ilfracombe home.
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.
Will my hot water run out with a heat pump?
Not if the cylinder is sized properly for your household. The survey asks how many people live in the home, how many bathrooms you have and whether you prefer baths or showers, then sizes the cylinder to suit. The heat pump reheats the cylinder on a schedule, often overnight and again during the day, and an immersion heater acts as a backup.