Why heat pumps suit Cornish homes

Thousands of Cornish properties in villages and rural areas rely on oil or LPG boilers because they sit beyond the mains gas network. These fuels are expensive and their prices fluctuate with global markets. An air source heat pump breaks that dependence by drawing warmth from the outside air, even on cold Cornish mornings, and use it to heat your home and hot water.

Our mild coastal climate actually helps. Heat pumps work most efficiently in moderate temperatures, and Cornwall rarely sees the deep freezes common further north. That makes the county one of the best places in the country to run a heat pump well.

How an air source heat pump works

An air source heat pump sits outside your home, a little like an air conditioning unit. It absorbs heat from the surrounding air, raises that heat to a useful temperature using a compressor, and transfers it to your radiators, underfloor heating and hot water cylinder.

The clever part is efficiency. For every unit of electricity it uses, a well designed heat pump delivers roughly three to four units of heat. A traditional oil or gas boiler can never beat one to one, which is why heat pumps are central to lower running costs and cleaner heating.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant

The government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme makes the switch far cheaper. The grant is currently worth:

• £9,000 for homes heated by oil or LPG, available from 21 July 2026 until March 2027
• £7,500 for homes replacing a mains gas boiler

That £9,000 figure is a temporary uplift aimed squarely at off grid homes like so many across Cornwall. There is no income test, and as of 2026 you no longer need to clear outstanding insulation recommendations on your EPC before you apply, which removes a common barrier for older stone properties.

The grant must be claimed by an MCS certified installer, who applies on your behalf and takes the amount straight off your quote. Redwood Plumbing and Heating is fully MCS certified, so we handle the paperwork for you.

What does a heat pump cost in Cornwall

A typical air source heat pump installation costs somewhere between £0,000 and £14,000 before any grant, depending on the size of your home, the number of radiators and how much pipework needs upgrading.

Once the £9,000 grant is deducted, many Cornish oil and LPG homes see a net cost of around £1,000 to £5,000. Every property is different, so the only way to know your exact figure is a proper home survey. We assess your heat loss, hot water needs and existing system before giving you a fixed, transparent quote with the grant already applied.

How much could you save

Running costs depend on the fuel you are leaving behind and the electricity tariff you move to. Homes switching from LPG, one of the most expensive heating fuels, tend to see the biggest reductions, often several hundred pounds a year. Savings against heating oil are more modest but grow as heat pump friendly electricity tariffs become more widely available.

Beyond the numbers, a heat pump adds long term value. It future proofs your home against rising fossil fuel prices, cuts your carbon footprint, and can make your property more attractive to buyers as the country moves away from oil and gas. A well maintained unit typically lasts 15 to 20 years, longer than most boilers.

Why choose a local MCS certified installer

Grant eligibility, correct sizing and a quality installation all depend on using a certified professional. Redwood Plumbing & Heating is MCS, OFTEC and Gas Safe Certified, we are Cornwall born and based in Truro. That means we understand local property types, from granite cottages to modern builds, and we are here for servicing and support long after the job is done.

---

Grant amounts and eligibility were correct at the time of writing and are set by the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Please confirm current figures at gov.uk or with our team before making a decision.