- Area
- County Antrim
- Postcode district
- BT40
- Nation
- Northern Ireland
- Guide price
- From £9,200 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
What to know about replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in Larne
The question for a Larne home is rarely whether a heat pump can work, but what needs to change to make it work well: radiator sizes, pipework, controls and where the unit goes.
Bungalows and detached houses near Larne running on LPG can move to a heat pump, with the tank collected by the supplier. Owners across County Antrim can have oil tank removal arranged alongside a heat pump installation in Larne.
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.
- Older oil boilers nearing the end of their life
- Rural and village homes off the mains gas grid
- Detached houses and bungalows with garden space for the unit
What's included
- Help arranging LPG tank collection with your supplier
- Free survey with a detailed heat loss calculation for older construction
- Outdoor unit, heat pump cylinder, controls and radiator changes
- Oil tank draining and removal or making safe, as set out in your quote
- Removal of the oil or LPG boiler and flue
For homes outside Larne reached by a long drive or narrow lane, delivery of the unit and cylinder is planned in advance.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland does not have a dedicated heat pump grant for homeowners at present, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not apply here. Heat pumps have sometimes been funded through the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme, so it is worth checking what is open when you enquire about a home in Larne.
Installing heat pumps has been zero-rated for VAT in Northern Ireland since 1 May 2023, in line with the rest of the UK, until 31 March 2027. Northern Ireland has its own permitted development rules and building regulations, and we confirm what applies to your Larne property at survey.
Oil and LPG boiler replacement costs around Larne
Here are typical prices for replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in County Antrim, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £9,200–£12,150 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £10,200–£13,100 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £11,650–£15,050 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £13,600–£17,450 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £16,000–£21,850 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning. No dedicated heat pump grant currently applies in Northern Ireland.
Winter daylight and heating in Larne
Larne sees roughly 7 hours 12 minutes of daylight in December and 17 hours 20 minutes in June. With a longer heating season than the south, the gains from low flow temperatures and good controls add up over the year.
The steps for replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in Larne
- Tell us about your home: postcode, property type and current heating.
- We book a survey in Larne; 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 an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in Larne: questions
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump in Larne?
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 Larne home gives a room-by-room list.
How long does installation take in Larne?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for a Larne home states the expected time.
What size heat pump does a Larne 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 Larne home.
Can a heat pump cope with an exposed rural spot?
Yes. Air source heat pumps are designed to keep working well below freezing, and they periodically defrost, giving off a little vapour, which is normal. In exposed locations the installer chooses a sheltered position where possible, raises the unit to clear snow and let defrost water drain, and sizes the system for the local winter design temperature used in the heat loss calculation.
What happens with a leased LPG tank?
Leased LPG tanks belong to the supplier, so the supplier arranges collection. Check your contract for notice periods and any charges before you fix a date. We time the switchover so you are not left without heating, and once the heat pump is commissioned the supplier can empty and remove the tank. Bottled LPG cylinders are simply returned.