- Area
- Argyll and Bute
- Postcode district
- PA20
- Nation
- Scotland
- Guide price
- From £10,250 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Before you book: replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in Rothesay
A heat pump suits most Rothesay homes, but the details decide how efficiently it runs. Our survey looks at insulation, radiators and hot water use room by room.
Owners across Argyll and Bute can have oil tank removal arranged alongside a heat pump installation in Rothesay. For homes outside Rothesay reached by a long drive or narrow lane, delivery of the unit and cylinder is planned in advance.
Off-gas homes have a lot to plan when switching to a heat pump: the fuel tank, older walls, rural power supplies and higher heat loss.
- Detached houses and bungalows with garden space for the unit
- Owners tired of fuel deliveries and tank maintenance
- Rural and village homes off the mains gas grid
What's included
- Outdoor unit, heat pump cylinder, controls and radiator changes
- Help arranging LPG tank collection with your supplier
- Removal of the oil or LPG boiler and flue
- Oil tank draining and removal or making safe, as set out in your quote
- Network operator notification and electrical connection
Rural properties near Rothesay usually have garden space for the outdoor unit, sited away from windows and sheltered where possible.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Scotland
In Scotland, heat pump funding comes through Home Energy Scotland rather than the Boiler Upgrade Scheme: a grant of up to £7,500 (up to £1,500 extra for eligible rural and island homes) and an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500. For a Rothesay home, apply and receive the written offer before the installation date is fixed.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK, Scotland included, until 31 March 2027. Scottish permitted development rules and building standards apply, and the surveyor checks the unit position and any listed or conservation-area constraints.
Oil and LPG boiler replacement costs around Rothesay
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Argyll and Bute, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Rothesay can need quite different radiators and pipework.
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £10,250–£13,500 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £11,350–£14,600 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £12,950–£16,750 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £15,100–£19,450 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £17,800–£24,300 |
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.
How long is the heating season in Rothesay?
Rothesay has about 6 hours 59 minutes of daylight at midwinter against 17 hours 35 minutes in midsummer. Heat pumps are designed to keep working well below freezing, but the design temperature for the survey is set for local conditions, not an average day.
How installation works in Rothesay
- Send your postcode and a few details, or use the guide price tool.
- A surveyor visits your Rothesay 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.
Rothesay is in an area we cover by arrangement, so survey dates and any travel costs are confirmed individually in your quote.
Replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in Rothesay: questions
What size heat pump does a Rothesay 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 Rothesay home.
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump in Rothesay?
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 Rothesay home gives a room-by-room list.
How soon can you survey a home in Rothesay?
Survey dates depend on how busy installers are in Argyll and Bute. We offer the next available dates when you enquire and confirm them in writing.
Do I have to remove my oil tank?
Not always, but it should be emptied and made safe. A tank in good condition can be drained, cleaned and left in place, though most owners prefer to have it taken away to free up space. Old or damaged tanks are usually removed. Your quote says which option is included, and any remaining oil and sludge is disposed of properly.
Will I need bigger radiators in an older cottage or farmhouse?
Often in some rooms, because thick solid walls and older windows lose more heat, and heat pumps work at lower water temperatures than oil boilers. The survey checks each room. Rooms with high ceilings or large windows are common candidates for a larger radiator. Where swapping radiators is impractical, a high-temperature unit can be considered, with lower efficiency as the trade-off.

