- Area
- Essex
- Postcode district
- CM7
- 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 Braintree
In Braintree, as anywhere in the UK, the heat pumps that perform well are the ones designed around low flow temperatures and sized from a proper heat loss calculation.
If your home near Braintree is off the mains gas grid, a heat pump removes the need for oil or LPG deliveries. Owners across Essex can have oil tank removal arranged alongside a heat pump installation in Braintree.
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
- Detached houses and bungalows with garden space for the unit
- Owners tired of fuel deliveries and tank maintenance
What's included
- Outdoor unit, heat pump cylinder, controls and radiator changes
- Free survey with a detailed heat loss calculation for older construction
- Help arranging LPG tank collection with your supplier
- Removal of the oil or LPG boiler and flue
- Network operator notification and electrical connection
Bungalows and detached houses near Braintree running on LPG can move to a heat pump, with the tank collected by the supplier.
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 Braintree quote.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK until 31 March 2027. In England most houses can have an air source heat pump under permitted development, provided the unit meets the MCS noise and siting standards; the old 1 m boundary limit was removed on 29 May 2025. We flag listed buildings, flats and sensitive conservation-area positions at survey.
Oil and LPG boiler replacement prices in Braintree
These are guide prices for Essex, 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.
Designing for Braintree's winters
On the shortest day Braintree gets about 7 hours 46 minutes of daylight, with the noon sun around 15° up. The heating season runs from autumn into spring, so a heat pump that is sized correctly and set up with weather compensation does most of its work in steady, cool conditions.
The steps for replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in Braintree
- Tell us about your home: postcode, property type and current heating.
- We book a survey in Braintree; 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 Braintree: questions
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump in Braintree?
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 Braintree home gives a room-by-room list.
How long does a heat pump survey take in Braintree?
A home survey in Braintree 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.
How long does installation take in Braintree?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for a Braintree home states the expected time.
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.
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.