- Area
- Highlands and Islands
- Postcode district
- KW1
- Nation
- Scotland
- Guide price
- From £10,650 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Before you book: replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump in Wick
Most homes can run on a heat pump if the system is designed properly, and Wick is no different. The key is matching the heat pump and radiators to the home's heat loss.
Households across the Highlands and Islands moving off gas can have a survey in Wick that compares running costs on realistic assumptions. Many gas-heated homes in Wick have a combi boiler in the kitchen, so the survey starts by finding the right place for a cylinder.
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.
- System or regular boiler homes with an existing airing cupboard
- Households ready to give up gas entirely and drop the standing charge
- Combi owners who can find space for a hot water cylinder
What's included
- Free survey with heat loss calculation and cylinder siting
- System flush and radiator upgrades where the design calls for them
- 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
Rear gardens and side returns in Wick usually offer a sensible spot for the outdoor unit, checked for airflow and neighbours.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Scotland
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not apply in Scotland. Instead, homeowners in Wick can apply to Home Energy Scotland for a grant of up to £7,500 towards a heat pump, with up to £1,500 more for eligible rural and island homes, plus an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500. You need a written funding offer before any work starts.
Installing heat pumps is zero-rated for VAT across the UK until 31 March 2027. Scotland has its own permitted development rules for air source heat pumps and its own building standards, so we confirm what applies to your Wick property at survey.
Gas boiler to heat pump costs around Wick
These are guide prices for the Highlands and Islands, installed and including VAT. Your final price is fixed in a written quote after the survey and depends on the heat loss of the house, the radiators that need changing and where the unit goes.
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £10,650–£14,000 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £11,750–£15,100 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £13,450–£17,350 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £15,700–£20,150 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £18,500–£25,200 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning. In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland grants of up to £7,500 and interest-free loans may reduce the cost.
Short winter days in Wick and what they mean
On the shortest day Wick gets only about 6 hours 20 minutes of daylight, with the sun around 8° up at noon. Long Scottish winters mean the heat pump runs for much of the year, so careful sizing, good controls and correctly sized radiators make a real difference.
How installation works in Wick
- Send your postcode and a few details, or use the guide price tool.
- A surveyor visits your Wick 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.
Wick is in an area we cover by arrangement, so survey dates and any travel costs are confirmed individually in your quote.
Replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump in Wick: questions
What size heat pump does a Wick 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 Wick home.
How long does installation take in Wick?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for a Wick home states the expected time.
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump in Wick?
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 Wick home gives a room-by-room list.
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.
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.