- Area
- Lancashire
- Postcode district
- PR1
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- From £9,300 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
What to know about replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump in Preston
Most homes can run on a heat pump if the system is designed properly, and Preston is no different. The key is matching the heat pump and radiators to the home's heat loss.
Households across Lancashire moving off gas can have a survey in Preston that compares running costs on realistic assumptions. Rear gardens and side returns in Preston 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.
- Boilers that are old, unreliable or due for replacement
- 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
- Removal of the gas boiler, flue and any loft tanks
- Commissioning, MCS certificate and grant application in England and Wales where eligible
- Free survey with heat loss calculation and cylinder siting
- Capping of the gas pipe at the boiler position where you are giving up gas
- Heat pump cylinder, outdoor unit and weather compensation controls
Semi-detached and terraced houses in Preston often have an airing cupboard that can be reused for a heat pump cylinder.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in Preston 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 Preston
Here are typical prices for replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump in Lancashire, installed and including VAT. Use the guide price tool for a figure based on your home, then a survey confirms it in writing.
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price | After £7,500 grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £9,300–£12,250 | £1,800–£4,750 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £10,300–£13,250 | £2,800–£5,750 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £11,750–£15,200 | £4,250–£7,700 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £13,700–£17,650 | £6,200–£10,150 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £16,150–£22,050 | £8,650–£14,550 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning.
How long is the heating season in Preston?
On the shortest day Preston gets only about 7 hours 25 minutes of daylight and the noon sun sits around 13° 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.
From survey to switch-on in Preston
- Tell us about your home: postcode, property type and current heating.
- We book a survey in Preston; 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 Preston: questions
How long does installation take in Preston?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for a Preston home states the expected time.
Can you service a heat pump in Preston that someone else installed?
Yes. We arrange servicing and repairs for most air source heat pumps in Preston, whoever fitted them. Tell us the make and model when you book.
Where would the outdoor unit go on a Preston 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 Preston home.
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.
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.