- Area
- East Sussex
- Postcode district
- BN21
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- From £9,800 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
What to know about replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in Eastbourne
The question for an Eastbourne 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.
If your home near Eastbourne is off the mains gas grid, a heat pump removes the need for oil or LPG deliveries. Owners across East Sussex can have oil tank removal arranged alongside a heat pump installation in Eastbourne.
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.
- Owners tired of fuel deliveries and tank maintenance
- Older oil boilers nearing the end of their life
- Eligible homes in England and Wales within the higher grant window
What's included
- MCS certificate and grant application in England and Wales where eligible
- Network operator notification and electrical connection
- Help arranging LPG tank collection with your supplier
- Free survey with a detailed heat loss calculation for older construction
- Oil tank draining and removal or making safe, as set out in your quote
Bungalows and detached houses near Eastbourne running on LPG can move to a heat pump, with the tank collected by the supplier.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
Homes in Eastbourne 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.
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.
Oil and LPG boiler replacement prices in Eastbourne
These are guide prices for East Sussex, 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.
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price | After £9,000 grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £9,800–£12,900 | £800–£3,900 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £10,800–£13,900 | £1,800–£4,900 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £12,350–£15,950 | £3,350–£6,950 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £14,400–£18,550 | £5,400–£9,550 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £17,000–£23,200 | £8,000–£14,200 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning. The £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme figure applies to oil and LPG replacements in England and Wales installed from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027.
How long is the heating season in Eastbourne?
Eastbourne sees roughly 7 hours 57 minutes of daylight in late December against 16 hours 30 minutes in June. Milder southern winters suit heat pumps well, though the system is still sized for a cold snap rather than an average day.
What happens after you enquire in Eastbourne?
- Send your postcode and a few details, or use the guide price tool.
- A surveyor visits your Eastbourne 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.
Replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in Eastbourne: questions
How long does a heat pump survey take in Eastbourne?
A home survey in Eastbourne usually takes one to two hours. The surveyor measures every heated room, checks windows, walls and radiators, and looks at where the outdoor unit and cylinder can go.
What size heat pump does an Eastbourne 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 Eastbourne home.
Do you cover Hailsham as well as Eastbourne?
Yes. We arrange surveys and installation in Hailsham, which is about 7 miles north of Eastbourne, and across East Sussex.
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.
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than oil?
It depends on oil prices, your home's insulation, the flow temperature and your electricity tariff, so there is no single answer. At the October to December 2026 price cap, a heat pump with a seasonal efficiency of 3.0 delivers heat for about 8.8p per kWh, and at 3.5 about 7.5p. Compare that with your oil cost per kWh of heat, allowing for your boiler's efficiency; the survey estimate gives a figure for your home.