Not every replacement is about age. Some heat pumps were sized by rule of thumb, paired with radiators that are too small or set up without weather compensation, leaving homes cold or bills high. Replacing the unit alone will not fix those problems, so we start with a fresh heat loss survey and check the radiators, pipework, cylinder and controls.
New outdoor units in Cambridgeshire may differ in size from the old one, so the base and position are checked at survey. Every replacement in Cambridgeshire starts with a fresh heat loss survey, not just a copy of the old unit's size. Across Cambridgeshire and Cambridgeshire, old units are removed with their refrigerant recovered by an F-gas certified engineer.
Who it suits
- Units that have failed with a major fault, such as a compressor failure
- Older units where parts are becoming hard to source
- Oversized systems that short cycle and cost more to run than expected
- Systems that were undersized and struggle in cold weather
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in Cambridgeshire 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.
Heat pump replacement prices in Cambridgeshire
These are guide prices including VAT. The rate for your visit in Cambridgeshire is confirmed before we book it, and any repair is priced in writing before parts are ordered.
| Work | Installed guide price |
|---|---|
| Replacing an old outdoor unit like-for-like | £6,100–£9,700 |
| Full system replacement, 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | £10,700–£13,750 |
| Full system replacement, 3 bedroom semi or small detached | £12,250–£15,800 |
| Full system replacement, 4 bedroom detached | £14,300–£18,350 |
Installed, inc VAT. Grant funding rarely applies to replacing a heat pump, so these prices are shown without any deduction; we check eligibility at survey.
Towns we cover in Cambridgeshire
We cover 9 towns in Cambridgeshire for heat pump replacement. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peterborough | PE1 | Whittlesey | 7 h 38 min |
| Cambridge | CB2 | Royston | 7 h 42 min |
| Wisbech | PE13 | March | 7 h 37 min |
| St Neots | PE19 | Huntingdon | 7 h 42 min |
| Huntingdon | PE29 | St Neots | 7 h 41 min |
| March | PE15 | Wisbech | 7 h 39 min |
| Ely | CB6 | March | 7 h 40 min |
| Ramsey | PE26 | Whittlesey | 7 h 40 min |
| Whittlesey | PE7 | Peterborough | 7 h 38 min |
Heat pump replacement questions
How much does it cost to replace a heat pump?
Replacing an old outdoor unit like-for-like has a guide price of £6,000–£9,500, installed and including VAT. Re-sizing, a new cylinder, radiator upgrades or new controls add to that, and each is itemised in your written quote. The final price is fixed after a survey, once we know what the existing system needs.
Can I get a grant to replace my heat pump?
Usually not. In England and Wales, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme cannot normally fund a home that has already been funded for a heat pump, and it is aimed at replacing fossil-fuel or electric heating. Your circumstances may differ, so we check eligibility before quoting. In Scotland, check Home Energy Scotland's criteria. Northern Ireland has no dedicated grant at present.
How long does an air source heat pump last?
Air source heat pumps typically last 15–20 years, depending on the quality of the original design, how hard the unit has worked, where it is sited and how well it has been serviced. Units that short cycle or run at high flow temperatures for years may wear sooner. Annual servicing helps components last and spots problems early.
What happens to my old heat pump?
The old outdoor unit is removed and disposed of responsibly. Its refrigerant is recovered first, which must be done by an F-gas certified engineer, and metals and components are recycled where facilities allow. If the old cylinder or controls are replaced too, they are removed at the same time, and pipework that is no longer needed is capped or taken out.