LAST UPDATED
19th May 2026
Heat Pump Installers in Plymouth
Simple Solar is Plymouth’s trusted heat pump installer. Our head office is right here in the city, and our MCS-certified team has helped hundreds of homeowners across Plymouth and Devon switch to clean, efficient heating. We handle everything: from a free property survey and system design through to professional installation and full support with your Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant application – worth £7,500 for most homes and £9,000 for properties currently heated by oil or LPG (from July 2026).
With over 40 years of combined experience in renewable heating, our directors Dan and Ben understand exactly what Plymouth properties need. Whether you live in a Victorian terrace in Mutley, a semi in Plymstock, or a detached house in Derriford, we design and install air source heat pump systems tailored to your home, your budget, and your heating requirements.
On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about heat pump installation in Plymouth – from costs and government grants to our installation process and real customer case studies.
Table of ContentsINSTALLERS
Why Plymouth Homeowners Are Choosing Heat Pumps
Thousands of UK homeowners are replacing their gas, oil, and LPG boilers with air source heat pumps, and Plymouth is leading the way. The reasons are straightforward: rising energy costs, growing awareness of carbon emissions, and a generous government grant – £7,500 for most homes, or £9,000 for those heated by oil or LPG from July – that makes the switch more affordable than ever.
An air source heat pump extracts warmth from the outside air and delivers it to your central heating system and hot water. For every unit of electricity the system uses, it produces three to four units of heat – making it roughly three times more efficient than even a modern condensing gas boiler. That efficiency translates directly into significantly reduced carbon emissions.
At Simple Solar, we specialise in air source heat pumps. They are the most practical and popular choice for Plymouth homes, suitable for everything from compact terraces to larger detached properties.
How Air Source Heat Pumps Work
An air source heat pump works on the same principle as a refrigerator – but in reverse. An outdoor unit draws in air using a fan. Inside the unit, a refrigerant absorbs the heat energy from that air. A compressor then increases the temperature of the refrigerant significantly. This heat is transferred via a heat exchanger into your home’s central heating circuit, warming your radiators, underfloor heating, and hot water cylinder.
Modern air source heat pumps work effectively in temperatures as low as −25°C. In Plymouth, where winter temperatures rarely drop below −5°C, the system operates at or near its optimal efficiency for most of the year.
Plymouth’s Maritime Climate – Ideal for Heat Pumps
Plymouth’s location on the south Devon coast gives it one of the mildest winter climates in England. Average January temperatures in Plymouth sit between 4°C and 8°C, considerably warmer than inland cities such as Birmingham or Leeds, where overnight temperatures regularly fall below −5°C.
This matters because a heat pump’s efficiency – measured as its Coefficient of Performance (CoP) – improves as the outdoor temperature rises. In Plymouth’s mild maritime climate, your heat pump achieves a higher CoP for a greater proportion of the heating season than it would in colder parts of the UK. The result is lower electricity consumption and better running cost savings, making Plymouth one of the most favourable locations in the country for heat pump performance.
How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost in Plymouth?
We believe in transparent pricing. The total cost of a heat pump installation depends on your property’s size, its current heating system, insulation levels, and whether any additional work is required – such as radiator upgrades or electrical consumer unit improvements.
The table below shows typical cost ranges for common Plymouth property types, both before and after the £7,500 BUS grant. From July 2026, homes currently heated by oil or LPG will be eligible for an enhanced grant of £9,000, reducing the figures in the third column by a further £1,500.
| Property Type | Typical Cost | After £7,500 Grant | Installation Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-bed terrace | £11,000 – £12,000 | £3,500 – £4,500 | 2 to 3 days |
| 3-bed semi-detached | £12,000 – £13,000 | £4,500 – £5,500 | 3 to 4 days |
| 4-bed detached | £13,000 – £14,000 | £5,500 – £6,500 | 3 to 5 days |
Our installation prices include a property assessment and heat loss survey, all equipment (heat pump, hot water cylinder, controls), full installation labour, all pipework and electrical work, system commissioning, customer training, BUS grant application, a manufacturer’s warranty, and a workmanship warranty. If additional work is required, it is clearly identified during the survey and quoted separately before you commit.
Included in your installation price
- Property assessment and heat loss survey
- Heat pump, hot water cylinder, and controls
- Full installation labour
- Pipework and electrical work
- System commissioning
- Customer training
- BUS grant application
- Manufacturer’s warranty and workmanship warranty
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) Grant Explained
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a UK government initiative that provides an upfront grant towards the cost of replacing a fossil fuel or electric heating system with a heat pump. The grant amounts are:
- £7,500 towards an air source heat pump (£9,000 if your home is currently heated by oil or LPG, from July 2026)
- £7,500 towards a ground source heat pump (£9,000 if your home is currently heated by oil or LPG, from July 2026)
- £5,000 towards a biomass boiler
To be eligible, you must own the property (homeowners, landlords, and self-builders all qualify) and the property must be in England or Wales. Most existing homes with a gas, oil, LPG, or direct electric heating system are eligible.
From July 2026, the grant is expected to increase to £9,000 for homes currently heated by oil or LPG – recognising the higher costs faced by off-gas-grid households making the switch. The enhanced grant applies to air source and ground source heat pumps only.
Since the scheme's April 2026 update, a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is no longer required to apply, although Ofgem will use one as evidence if your property already has a valid certificate.
The process is straightforward, and we handle all of it for you. Simple Solar applies to Ofgem on your behalf once you accept your quote. Ofgem sends you a brief email to confirm your consent, and the grant (£7,500, or £9,000 if eligible) is deducted directly from your invoice. You never have to fill in complicated government paperwork. Heat pump installations also benefit from 0% VAT, reducing the total cost further.
Running Costs: Heat Pump vs Gas vs Oil
One of the most important questions for Plymouth homeowners is whether a heat pump will actually save you money. The answer depends on your current fuel type, your property’s insulation, and your usage patterns – but for many households, the savings are significant.
Based on a typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house in Plymouth, here are the estimated annual running cost comparisons:
- Replacing oil heating: Typically saves 30-50% on annual heating costs. A property currently spending £2,000 per year on oil could reduce this to around £1,000 to £1,400.
- Replacing LPG: Usually offers a 40-60% reduction. A property spending £2,500 per year on LPG could reduce to approximately £1,000 to £1,500.
- Replacing electric storage heaters: Typically achieves a 50-70% reduction. A property spending £3,000 per year on electric heating could reduce to roughly £900 to £1,500.
- Replacing a gas boiler: Running costs may be broadly similar initially, but a heat pump provides significant carbon reduction and future-proofing against rising gas prices. As electricity tariffs increasingly reflect the growth in renewable generation, the economics should continue to improve.
We provide bespoke running cost estimates as part of every free survey, based on your specific property and current fuel usage.
Is Your Plymouth Home Suitable for a Heat Pump?
Most Plymouth homes are suitable for an air source heat pump. The key factors we assess during your free property survey are:
Outdoor space
The heat pump unit needs a well-ventilated location outside your property – typically about 1 square metre of ground space. A back garden, side return, or driveway are all common positions.
Insulation
A well-insulated home gets the best performance from a heat pump. We assess your loft, wall, and floor insulation and advise on any improvements that would help. Insulation upgrades are no longer a mandatory requirement for the BUS grant, but we may recommend them to maximise your system’s efficiency.
Existing heating system
Heat pumps run at lower flow temperatures than traditional boilers, so some radiators may need upsizing to deliver enough warmth. We check every radiator during the survey and include any required upgrades in your quote.
Electrical supply
A heat pump needs its own dedicated electrical supply. Rather than upgrading the main consumer unit, we typically install a separate garage-style consumer unit alongside it to provide a dedicated circuit for the heat pump. We assess the requirements during the survey and include any electrical work in the quotation.
Property Types We’ve Installed Across Plymouth
Our team has experience installing heat pumps in a wide range of Plymouth properties, including Victorian terraces in Mutley, Lipson, and Stoke; 1930s semis in Peverell and Mannamead; post-war housing in Efford, Southway, and Honicknowle; modern estates in Plympton and Sherford; detached homes in Derriford, Crownhill, and Elburton; bungalows in Plymstock and Goosewell; and period properties in the Barbican and Stonehouse areas.
If you’re unsure whether your home is suitable, book a free survey and we’ll give you an honest assessment. If a heat pump isn’t the right fit for your property, we’ll tell you.
Planning Permission and Building Regulations
In the vast majority of cases, you do not need planning permission to install an air source heat pump in Plymouth. Most domestic installations fall under permitted development rights, provided the system meets certain conditions around noise limits, distance from property boundaries, and the size of the outdoor unit.
There are some exceptions. If your property is a listed building, you are likely to need listed building consent. Properties in conservation areas may also have additional requirements. Simple Solar provides guidance on this during the survey stage and can advise on the appropriate steps to take.
All heat pump installations must comply with Building Regulations, and we handle the required notifications on your behalf.
Our Heat Pump Installation Process
We’ve designed our process to be straightforward and stress-free. Here’s what to expect from start to finish:
Step 1: Free Survey & Quotation
Your journey begins with a free survey at your property. We analyse your current heating arrangement, size of property, etc., and work out with you where the heat pump unit and cylinder would be located. Our surveyor will then give you a total price to install a suitably-sized heat pump system. It won’t just be a verbal quote, you’ll get a formal quotation in writing, including all of the equipment to be installed, the price, and our terms and conditions.
Step 2: Any Questions & Quote Acceptance
Once you’ve had a chance to read through the quotation, please do call us any time if you have any follow-up questions. If you are happy with everything, you then pay a £500 deposit (deducted from the overall price if you go ahead) which triggers the all-important heat loss survey.
Step 3: Heat Loss Survey
The next step is for our technical surveyor to carry out a full heat loss survey at your property. This is a crucial step that guarantees the heat pump will heat each room and your water properly. The technical surveyor measures the size of each room, analyses the insulation in your walls and roof, looks at the suitability of your radiators, and so on.
Step 4: Contract Confirmation or Variation
After the heat loss survey, we either confirm the original design and heat pump rating from Step 1 was just right, or we recommend an adjustment: a higher-rated or lower-rated heat pump. If the heat pump rating in Kilowatts (kW) changes, the overall price will also change and we will reflect this in a contract variation. Please note: normally contract variations are to the down-side, in other words your system ends up costing less. However, it is possible your price could go up.
Step 5: Grant Application
Once you accept the final contract, we submit your BUS application, confirm installation dates (typically 3-6 weeks ahead), provide pre-installation guidance, and order the equipment.
Step 6: Installation
Installation takes 2-5 days and includes: remove old equipment, install outdoor unit, pipework and radiators, install cylinder, electrical work, install controls, test system, commission, fine-tune, and clean up.
Step 7: Handover
We train you on operating the system, understanding the controls, setting schedules, basic troubleshooting, and when to call us. You receive manuals, warranties, and our contact details.
Step 8: Payment
We redeem your voucher with Ofgem and issue your invoice with the grant amount (£7,500, or £9,000 if eligible) deducted.
Step 9: Ongoing Support
We offer annual service plans, 24/7 emergency callout, remote monitoring (on selected systems), and ongoing optimisation advice. Heat pumps typically last 20 years with proper maintenance, considerably longer than a standard boiler.
Why Choose Simple Solar for Your Heat Pump in Plymouth?
There are several heat pump installers serving Plymouth. Here is why our customers choose us:
Headquartered in Plymouth.
We are not a national franchise or a travelling contractor. Our head office is in Plymouth. That means faster response times, genuine local knowledge, and a team that understands Plymouth’s housing stock and climate.
MCS certified.
Our MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certification is your assurance that our installations meet the highest industry standards. It is also a requirement for accessing the BUS grant.
40+ years of combined experience.
Our directors Dan and Ben bring over 40 years of combined experience in renewable heating. We’ve installed solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, heat pumps, and air conditioning across hundreds of properties – so we understand how these technologies work together. For example, a heat pump powered by your own solar electricity is the most cost-effective and lowest-carbon heating solution available.
Transparent, honest pricing.
You receive a clear, written quote with no hidden costs. The BUS grant is deducted upfront. What we quote is what you pay.
Heat Pump Case Studies from Plymouth Customers
Nothing demonstrates our work better than real installations in real Plymouth homes. Here are three recent projects:
[Property Type], [Neighbourhood]
[Case study content to be written once data is provided.]
Placeholder content — replace with real customer details once available.[Property Type], [Neighbourhood]
[Case study content to be written once data is provided.]
Placeholder content — replace with real customer details once available.[Property Type], [Neighbourhood]
[Case study content to be written once data is provided.]
Placeholder content — replace with real customer details once available.Areas of Plymouth We Cover
Simple Solar is headquartered in Plymouth and our team installs heat pumps across every part of the city. We regularly work in the following Plymouth neighbourhoods:
Plymouth neighbourhoods we cover
- Barne Barton
- Beacon Park
- Cattedown
- Chaddlewood
- City Centre
- Compton
- Coxside
- Crownhill
- Derriford
- Devonport
- Efford
- Eggbuckland
- Elburton
- Ernesettle
- Estover
- Ford
- Glenholt
- Goosewell
- Ham
- Hartley
- Higher Compton
- Honicknowle
- Keyham
- King’s Tamerton
- Laira
- Leigham
- Lipson
- Manadon
- Mannamead
- Millbay
- Morice Town
- Mount Gould
- Mutley
- North Prospect
- Pennycross
- Peverell
- Plympton
- Plymstock
- Southway
- St Budeaux
- Stoke
- Stonehouse
- Tamerton Foliot
- The Hoe
- Turnchapel
- West Park
- Weston Mill
Frequently Asked Questions
01 How much does a heat pump cost to install in Plymouth?
A typical air source heat pump installation in Plymouth – before the grant is applied – costs between £11,000 and £14,000, depending on the size and complexity of your property. With the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant deducted, you can expect to pay between £3,500 and £6,500. Homes currently heated by oil or LPG can expect to pay even less from July 2026, when the BUS grant is set to increase to £9,000 for these properties. The final cost depends on factors such as the size of the heat pump required, whether radiators need upgrading, and the condition of your electrical supply. We provide a detailed, transparent quote after your free property survey.
02 What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and am I eligible?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a UK government grant that provides £7,500 towards an air source heat pump installation – rising to £9,000 from July 2026 for homes currently heated by oil or LPG. You are eligible if you own the property, it is in England or Wales, and you are replacing a fossil fuel heating system (gas, oil, or LPG) or a direct electric heating system. Since April 2026, a valid EPC is no longer required to apply. Simple Solar handles the entire application process on your behalf.
03 How long does a heat pump installation take?
Most installations take between two and five days, depending on the work involved. A straightforward replacement in a well-prepared property can be completed in two to three days, while installations requiring new pipework, radiator upgrades, or underfloor heating connections may take four to five days. We schedule the work at a time that suits you and keep disruption to a minimum.
04 Will a heat pump work with my existing radiators?
In many cases, yes. Heat pumps operate at lower flow temperatures than gas boilers, so some radiators may need to be upsized to deliver enough warmth. During your technical survey, we check every radiator in your home and identify any that need replacing. If upgrades are needed, they are included in your quote and installed as part of the project.
05 Do I need planning permission for a heat pump in Plymouth?
Most domestic air source heat pump installations in Plymouth do not require planning permission, as they fall under permitted development rights. The main conditions are that the outdoor unit must meet noise limits and not be installed on a wall facing a highway. If your property is listed or in a conservation area, additional consent may be required. We check all of this during the survey and advise you accordingly.
06 Are heat pumps noisy?
Modern air source heat pumps are very quiet. A typical unit produces around 40-50 decibels at one metre distance – comparable to the hum of a refrigerator or a quiet conversation. Noise is rarely an issue for neighbours, and all installations must comply with planning noise limits. We position the outdoor unit carefully to minimise any impact.
07 Can I get a heat pump if I’m on mains gas?
Yes. The BUS grant is available for homes replacing mains gas boilers as well as oil, LPG, and electric heating. Many Plymouth homeowners on the gas network are switching to heat pumps to reduce their carbon footprint, future-proof their homes against rising gas prices, and benefit from the £7,500 grant while it is available. Note: the £9,000 enhanced grant from July 2026 is only available for properties currently heated by oil or LPG.
08 What warranty comes with a heat pump?
Your heat pump is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, which is typically 5 years depending on the brand and model. Simple Solar also provides a workmanship warranty covering the installation itself. Extended warranties may be available on certain brands – we discuss all warranty options as part of your quote.
Get Your Free Heat Pump Survey in Plymouth
If you’re considering a heat pump for your Plymouth home, the first step is simple: book a free property survey. Our surveyor will visit your home, assess your heating needs, and provide an honest recommendation on whether a heat pump is the right choice for your property.
If it is, you'll receive a transparent, no-obligation quote with your BUS grant (£7,500 or £9,000) already deducted – so you know exactly what you’ll pay. We handle the entire grant application, system design, installation, and commissioning. And because our head office is in Plymouth, we’re always nearby if you need us.
Call us on 01752 916 013 or complete the form below to book your free survey.
AUTHOR