- Area
- Hertfordshire
- Postcode district
- AL1
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- From £10,000 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
What to know about replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in St Albans
Every property in St Albans is different, so the design starts from measurements rather than a rule of thumb. That keeps the system the right size and the running costs predictable.
Owners across Hertfordshire can have oil tank removal arranged alongside a heat pump installation in St Albans. If your home near St Albans is off the mains gas grid, a heat pump removes the need for oil or LPG deliveries.
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
- Eligible homes in England and Wales within the higher grant window
- Owners tired of fuel deliveries and tank maintenance
What's included
- Network operator notification and electrical connection
- Help arranging LPG tank collection with your supplier
- Oil tank draining and removal or making safe, as set out in your quote
- Free survey with a detailed heat loss calculation for older construction
- MCS certificate and grant application in England and Wales where eligible
Bungalows and detached houses near St Albans 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 St Albans quote.
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.
What to budget for replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in St Albans
Guide prices for St Albans and the rest of Hertfordshire are shown below, installed and inc VAT. We publish ranges rather than a single figure because design details move the price, and the written quote after survey fixes it.
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price | After £9,000 grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £10,000–£13,150 | £1,000–£4,150 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £11,050–£14,200 | £2,050–£5,200 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £12,600–£16,300 | £3,600–£7,300 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £14,700–£18,900 | £5,700–£9,900 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £17,350–£23,650 | £8,350–£14,650 |
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.
Winter daylight and heating in St Albans
On the shortest day St Albans gets about 7 hours 47 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.
What happens after you enquire in St Albans?
- Send your postcode and a few details, or use the guide price tool.
- A surveyor visits your St Albans 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 St Albans: questions
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump in St Albans?
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 St Albans home gives a room-by-room list.
How long does a heat pump survey take in St Albans?
A home survey in St Albans 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.
Do you cover Radlett as well as St Albans?
Yes. We arrange surveys and installation in Radlett, which is about 4 miles south of St Albans, and across Hertfordshire.
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.