A heat pump radiator upgrade means replacing only the radiators that are too small to heat their room at the lower water temperatures a heat pump runs at. A gas boiler usually sends water to radiators at 60–75°C, while a well-designed heat pump system typically runs at around 35–50°C. Cooler water gives out less heat from the same radiator, so some rooms need more radiator surface to stay comfortable.
We plan radiator upgrades in Devon so floorboards are lifted only where pipework genuinely needs changing. In Devon, bay-windowed front rooms are often the rooms that need a larger radiator when moving to a heat pump. For period homes in Devon and across Devon, column radiators can keep the character of a room while giving enough heat at low temperatures.
Who it suits
- Extensions and loft conversions with large areas of glazing
- Homeowners who want the lowest practical flow temperature for efficiency
- Rooms that already feel slow to heat, such as bay-windowed living rooms
- Rooms with little wall space, where a fan-assisted radiator fits better
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 quote.
Installing heat pumps is zero-rated for VAT across the UK until 31 March 2027. Since 29 May 2025, permitted development in England allows up to two air source heat pumps on a house, each up to 1.5 m³, with no blanket 1 m boundary rule — the installation must still meet the MCS planning standards, including the noise check. Listed buildings, flats and some conservation-area positions need extra consent, which we check at survey.
Heat pump radiators prices in Devon
These are guide prices for Devon, 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.
| Work | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Replacement radiator, sized for a heat pump (each, fitted) | £250–£450 |
| Upgrade of about 10 radiators | £2,000–£5,050 |
| Pipework upgrade (e.g. microbore to larger bore) | £1,500–£3,550 |
Installed, inc VAT. The survey lists which radiators need changing.
Towns we cover in Devon
We cover 18 towns in Devon for heat pump radiator upgrades. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth | PL1 | Saltash | 8 h 01 min |
| Exeter | EX4 | Crediton | 7 h 57 min |
| Paignton | TQ3 | Torquay | 8 h 00 min |
| Torquay | TQ1 | Paignton | 8 h 00 min |
| Newton Abbot | TQ12 | Torquay | 7 h 59 min |
| Exmouth | EX8 | Sidmouth | 7 h 58 min |
| Barnstaple | EX31 | Bideford | 7 h 54 min |
| Bideford | EX39 | Barnstaple | 7 h 54 min |
| Tiverton | EX16 | Crediton | 7 h 56 min |
| Crediton | EX17 | Exeter | 7 h 57 min |
| Dartmouth | TQ6 | Paignton | 8 h 01 min |
| Honiton | EX14 | Sidmouth | 7 h 57 min |
| Ilfracombe | EX34 | Barnstaple | 7 h 52 min |
| Kingsbridge | TQ7 | Dartmouth | 8 h 02 min |
| Okehampton | EX20 | Tavistock | 7 h 57 min |
| Sidmouth | EX10 | Honiton | 7 h 58 min |
| Tavistock | PL19 | Plymouth | 7 h 59 min |
| Totnes | TQ9 | Paignton | 8 h 00 min |
Heat pump radiator upgrades questions
Are fan-assisted radiators noisy?
Fan-assisted radiators make a low, steady fan sound when running at higher output, and many have quieter settings for bedrooms at night. They are useful where wall space is short, such as a kitchen with few clear walls. They need a small electrical supply, which we plan into the installation if you choose them.
How much does a heat pump radiator cost?
A replacement radiator sized for a heat pump has a guide price of £250–£450 each, installed and including VAT. Upgrading about ten radiators in a typical home has a guide price of £2,000–£5,000. The final price is fixed in your written quote after the survey, once the radiator schedule shows exactly which radiators change.
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump?
Not necessarily: many homes keep most of their radiators and replace only a few. The heat loss survey checks each room against its existing radiator at the planned flow temperature. Rooms with large windows, high ceilings or extensions are the usual candidates for an upgrade, while bedrooms often need no change. Your radiator schedule lists every decision.
Can I keep my radiators and just run the heat pump hotter?
You can, but it usually costs more to run. Every extra degree of flow temperature reduces a heat pump's efficiency, so a system designed at 55°C uses noticeably more electricity than one at 45°C for the same heat. A few well-chosen radiator upgrades often let the whole house run cooler, which is the better long-term trade.