- Area
- Highlands and Islands
- Postcode district
- PH33
- Nation
- Scotland
- Guide price
- From £10,650 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Before you book: replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in Fort William
Every property in Fort William 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 the Highlands and Islands can have oil tank removal arranged alongside a heat pump installation in Fort William. Rural properties near Fort William usually have garden space for the outdoor unit, sited away from windows and sheltered where possible.
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
- Network operator notification and electrical connection
- Oil tank draining and removal or making safe, as set out in your quote
- 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
Bungalows and detached houses near Fort William running on LPG can move to a heat pump, with the tank collected by the supplier.
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 Fort William 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.
What to budget for replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in Fort William
These are guide prices for the Highlands and Islands, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £10,650–£14,000 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £11,750–£15,100 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £13,450–£17,350 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £15,700–£20,150 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £18,500–£25,200 |
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.
Short winter days in Fort William and what they mean
Fort William has about 6 hours 45 minutes of daylight at midwinter against 17 hours 50 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 Fort William
- Tell us about your home: postcode, property type and current heating.
- We book a survey in Fort William; 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 Fort William: questions
How long does a heat pump survey take in Fort William?
A home survey in Fort William 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 Oban as well as Fort William?
Yes. We arrange surveys and installation in Oban, which is about 31 miles south-west of Fort William, and across the Highlands and Islands.
Where would the outdoor unit go on a Fort William house?
Usually at the side or rear, on a level base with space around it for airflow and servicing, away from bedroom windows where possible. The surveyor checks positions at your Fort William home.
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.
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.