Skip to content
North DevonHeating Engineers

Heat Pump Installation in North Devon

Heat pumps are a newer option for North Devon homes, and this directory lists 3 businesses specialising in heat pump installation — based in Fremington and Barnstaple — alongside general heating contractors who may also offer it. An air source heat pump works differently from a gas or oil boiler: rather than burning fuel to generate heat directly, it extracts heat from the outside air (even in cold weather) and uses it to warm your home and hot water, running most efficiently at lower flow temperatures than a traditional boiler. That difference matters for older Devon properties — a heat pump generally performs best in a home with decent insulation and either underfloor heating or radiators sized generously enough to work at lower temperatures. In a well-insulated newer property in Fremington or Roundswell, a heat pump can be a straightforward, efficient swap. In an older, solid-walled farmhouse near South Molton or Great Torrington with smaller original radiators, it's a bigger project that usually needs a proper heat loss survey and, in many cases, larger radiators or underfloor heating to work well.

Barnstaple

All in Barnstaple

Fremington

All in Fremington

Is a heat pump right for an older Devon house

The honest answer is: it depends on the property, and a good installer should tell you this rather than promising it'll work everywhere. Heat pumps run most efficiently when the whole house doesn't need to be heated to a high temperature quickly — they're designed for a steadier, lower-temperature heat that builds up gradually, which suits well-insulated modern homes naturally, but needs some adaptation in older solid-wall properties common around South Molton, Great Torrington and the villages inland.

A proper heat loss survey — looking at wall construction, insulation levels, window performance and existing radiator sizes — is the right starting point before committing, rather than assuming a heat pump can simply replace a boiler like-for-like. Some older properties need cavity or internal wall insulation improvements first, or larger radiators throughout, to get comfortable results; others, particularly those already well insulated or fitted with underfloor heating, are ready to go with comparatively little extra work. A reputable installer will be upfront if your specific property isn't quite ready yet, rather than fitting a heat pump that leaves you cold and disappointed.

What installation involves and how long it takes

Installation typically starts with a heat loss survey and design process, working out the correct heat pump size and any radiator or pipework changes needed — this planning stage can take longer than the installation itself, sometimes several weeks, particularly if radiators need upgrading throughout the house. The physical installation usually takes two to four days for a straightforward retrofit into an existing wet heating system, longer if significant radiator upgrades, new pipework, or underfloor heating are being fitted at the same time.

Work includes fitting the outdoor unit (which needs a suitable, reasonably unobtrusive spot outside with airflow around it), connecting it to an indoor unit or hot water cylinder, running new controls, and commissioning the system to check it's performing to the design specification. Because heat pumps work differently from boilers, it's worth asking your installer to properly explain the controls and expected running pattern — they behave differently day to day from a boiler that heats quickly on demand, and a bit of guidance up front avoids frustration in the first few months.

Grants, running costs and realistic expectations

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers a £7,500 grant towards air source heat pump installation in England and Wales, claimed by the installer on your behalf and deducted from the quoted price — it's worth confirming with any installer that they're accredited to process this before assuming it applies. Running costs depend heavily on electricity prices relative to gas or oil, the property's insulation, and how well the system has been sized and set up; a well-matched installation in a reasonably insulated home can run comparably to, or cheaper than, a gas boiler, while a poorly sized system in a draughty property can disappoint on both comfort and cost.

Typical UK range for a fully installed air source heat pump, before the grant, is roughly £8,000–£14,000, varying with property size and how much additional work (radiators, pipework, insulation) is needed. It's a bigger up-front decision than a boiler swap, so getting more than one survey and quote, and asking pointed questions about expected performance in your specific property, is worth the extra time before committing.

Heat Pump Installation: common questions

Will a heat pump work in an old North Devon farmhouse?
It can, but often needs more preparation than in a newer, well-insulated home — larger radiators, sometimes additional insulation, and a proper heat loss survey before installation. Solid-wall farmhouses around South Molton and Great Torrington are more challenging than a modern estate property in Fremington, but not impossible with the right design. Ask any installer for an honest assessment of your specific property.
How much grant money is available for a heat pump?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers £7,500 towards an air source heat pump installation in England and Wales. Your installer applies for this on your behalf and it's deducted from the quoted price rather than paid to you directly — confirm with any installer that they're accredited to process the grant before you commit to a quote.
Do heat pumps cost more to run than a gas boiler?
It varies. Running costs depend on your electricity price relative to gas, how well insulated your home is, and whether the system has been correctly sized and set up. A well-matched heat pump in a reasonably insulated home can run comparably to a gas boiler; a poorly sized one in a draughty property may cost more and feel less comfortable.
How long does heat pump installation take?
The survey and design process can take several weeks, particularly if radiator upgrades are needed throughout the house. The physical installation itself usually takes two to four days for a straightforward retrofit, longer if significant pipework, radiator or underfloor heating work is being carried out at the same time.

Compare heat pump installation quotes in North Devon

Free, no-obligation quotes from local Gas Safe engineers.

Get a free quote