- Area
- Highlands and Islands
- Postcode district
- KW15
- Nation
- Scotland
- Guide price
- From £10,650 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Oil and LPG boiler replacement for Kirkwall homes
Every property in Kirkwall 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 Kirkwall. Bungalows and detached houses near Kirkwall running on LPG can move to a heat pump, with the tank collected by the supplier.
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
- Owners tired of fuel deliveries and tank maintenance
What's included
- Free survey with a detailed heat loss calculation for older construction
- Help arranging LPG tank collection with your supplier
- Oil tank draining and removal or making safe, as set out in your quote
- Outdoor unit, heat pump cylinder, controls and radiator changes
- Removal of the oil or LPG boiler and flue
Cottages and farmhouses in and around Kirkwall often have solid walls, so the survey looks closely at construction and draughts.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Scotland
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not apply in Scotland. Instead, homeowners in Kirkwall can apply to Home Energy Scotland for a grant of up to £7,500 towards a heat pump, with up to £1,500 more for eligible rural and island homes, plus an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500. You need a written funding offer before any work starts.
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.
Oil and LPG boiler replacement costs around Kirkwall
Here are typical prices for replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in the Highlands and Islands, 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 | £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 Kirkwall and what they mean
Kirkwall has about 6 hours 11 minutes of daylight at midwinter against 18 hours 30 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.
What happens after you enquire in Kirkwall?
- Start online with a guide price or call us.
- A home survey in Kirkwall gives us the room-by-room heat loss.
- Your written quote sets out the design, the price and the grant position where you live.
- Installation is booked for dates that suit you; most homes take 2–4 days on site.
- After commissioning you get a handover of the controls and settings, plus the certificates.
Kirkwall is in an area we cover by arrangement, so survey dates and any travel costs are confirmed individually in your quote.
Replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in Kirkwall: questions
How long does installation take in Kirkwall?
Most installations take 2–4 days on site. Jobs with several radiator changes or new pipework take longer, and your quote for a Kirkwall home states the expected time.
Where would the outdoor unit go on a Kirkwall 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 Kirkwall home.
Can you service a heat pump in Kirkwall that someone else installed?
Yes. We arrange servicing and repairs for most air source heat pumps in Kirkwall, whoever fitted them. Tell us the make and model when you book.
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.