- Area
- East Sussex
- Postcode district
- BN21
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- From £9,800 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Gas boiler to heat pump in Eastbourne: what to expect
Most homes can run on a heat pump if the system is designed properly, and Eastbourne is no different. The key is matching the heat pump and radiators to the home's heat loss.
Semi-detached and terraced houses in Eastbourne often have an airing cupboard that can be reused for a heat pump cylinder. Households across East Sussex moving off gas can have a survey in Eastbourne that compares running costs on realistic assumptions.
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.
- Households ready to give up gas entirely and drop the standing charge
- System or regular boiler homes with an existing airing cupboard
- Combi owners who can find space for a hot water cylinder
What's included
- Commissioning, MCS certificate and grant application in England and Wales where eligible
- Capping of the gas pipe at the boiler position where you are giving up gas
- Heat pump cylinder, outdoor unit and weather compensation controls
- Free survey with heat loss calculation and cylinder siting
- Removal of the gas boiler, flue and any loft tanks
Many gas-heated homes in Eastbourne have a combi boiler in the kitchen, so the survey starts by finding the right place for a cylinder.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in Eastbourne 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.
Gas boiler to heat pump prices in Eastbourne
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in East Sussex, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Eastbourne 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 | £9,800–£12,900 | £2,300–£5,400 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £10,800–£13,900 | £3,300–£6,400 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £12,350–£15,950 | £4,850–£8,450 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £14,400–£18,550 | £6,900–£11,050 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £17,000–£23,200 | £9,500–£15,700 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning.
Short winter days in Eastbourne and what they mean
On the shortest day Eastbourne gets about 7 hours 57 minutes of daylight, and the winter sun reaches only around 16° 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.
From survey to switch-on in Eastbourne
- Send your postcode and a few details, or use the guide price tool.
- A surveyor visits your Eastbourne home, measures every room and checks where the outdoor unit can go.
- You receive a heat loss design and a fixed written quote, with any grant shown where it applies.
- Installers fit the unit, cylinder and any radiator changes, typically over 2–4 days on site.
- The system is commissioned, set up with weather compensation and handed over with the paperwork.
Replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump in Eastbourne: questions
How long does installation take in Eastbourne?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for an Eastbourne home states the expected time.
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump in Eastbourne?
Often some, not all. Heat pumps run best at lower water temperatures, so rooms with small radiators may need larger ones. The survey of your Eastbourne home gives a room-by-room list.
Do you cover Hailsham as well as Eastbourne?
Yes. We arrange surveys and installation in Hailsham, which is about 7 miles north of Eastbourne, and across East Sussex.
Is there a grant to replace a gas boiler with a heat pump?
In England and Wales, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air-to-water heat pump that replaces a gas boiler, for eligible owners of existing homes. The MCS-certified installer applies to Ofgem and deducts the grant from your quote, and Ofgem contacts you to confirm. Scotland has separate Home Energy Scotland funding, and Northern Ireland has no dedicated homeowner grant at present.
Can a heat pump replace a combi boiler?
Yes, but you need room for a hot water cylinder, because heat pumps store hot water rather than heating it on demand. Most homes find a space in a cupboard, utility room, garage or under the stairs, and compact or combined indoor units help where space is tight. The survey measures the options first, so you know where everything will go before you accept the quote.