- Area
- Kent
- Postcode district
- CT17
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- From £9,800 inc VAT
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Before you book: replacing an oil or LPG boiler with a heat pump in Dover
The question for a Dover 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.
Owners across Kent can have oil tank removal arranged alongside a heat pump installation in Dover. Bungalows and detached houses near Dover 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.
- Owners tired of fuel deliveries and tank maintenance
- Older oil boilers nearing the end of their life
- Detached houses and bungalows with garden space for the unit
What's included
- Free survey with a detailed heat loss calculation for older construction
- Removal of the oil or LPG boiler and flue
- Help arranging LPG tank collection with your supplier
- Oil tank draining and removal or making safe, as set out in your quote
- MCS certificate and grant application in England and Wales where eligible
If your home near Dover is off the mains gas grid, a heat pump removes the need for oil or LPG deliveries.
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 Dover 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 Dover
These are guide prices for Kent, 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 Dover?
Dover sees roughly 7 hours 53 minutes of daylight in late December against 16 hours 34 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 Dover?
- Send your postcode and a few details, or use the guide price tool.
- A surveyor visits your Dover 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 Dover: questions
How soon can you survey a home in Dover?
Survey dates depend on how busy installers are in Kent. We offer the next available dates when you enquire and confirm them in writing.
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump in Dover?
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 Dover home gives a room-by-room list.
How long does a heat pump survey take in Dover?
A home survey in Dover 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.
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.