Storage and electric heater replacement across County Durham
For Durham landlords, swapping storage heaters for a heat pump is one of the more effective EPC improvements. Flats and bungalows in Durham that have never had gas are the usual candidates for replacing storage heaters. Cold, windy North East winters favour a well-sized heat pump with an outdoor unit sheltered from the prevailing wind.
Prices in County Durham
Budget around £3,145–£9,595 for 3–5 rooms including VAT for storage and electric heater replacement in and around County Durham. It is a touch below the UK middle, as trade rates in North East England tend to be. The biggest variables are the pipe route, access for the outdoor unit and the state of the consumer unit, all of which the survey settles. As an example, the Bungalow or house option (four rooms on one outdoor unit) would typically be £4,545–£7,295 here.
Small flat
Two or three rooms replacing storage heaters.
Bungalow or house
Four rooms on one outdoor unit.
Larger home
Five or more rooms or two outdoor units.
Prices are shown before any Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. The £2,500 air-to-air grant applies only to eligible homes in England and Wales, using an MCS-certified heat pump installed by an MCS-certified installer, who applies for the grant and deducts it from the price. We confirm eligibility, and which installer applies, before you commit.
Guide prices show VAT at 20%. HMRC treats most fixed air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps installed in homes as energy-saving materials, zero-rated until 31 March 2027 when we supply and fit them. If your installation qualifies, your quote shows 0% VAT and a lower price. Servicing, repairs, cleaning and controls are charged at 20%.
Planning and permissions
For most houses in County Durham, the outdoor unit is permitted development if it passes the MCS 020(a) noise check (37 dB(A) or less at the nearest neighbouring window) and stays within the size and number limits. We run that check on survey.
County Durham is in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme area, so eligible homes replacing oil, gas, LPG or electric heating may be able to get £2,500 off an air-to-air heat pump, as long as no fossil-fuel boiler stays in use. An MCS-certified installer must claim it; we confirm eligibility, and which installer applies, before you commit.
The survey
Surveys in County Durham cover heat gain, pipe routes, electrics, access and noise to the nearest neighbour, so surprises on the day are rare. On a survey in County Durham the engineer looks at room size, glazing, the route for pipes and drains, the electrics and where the outdoor unit can sit quietly, then the written quote follows.
What is included
Included with storage and electric heater replacement across County Durham:
- Tariff and running advice
- Free survey and heat-loss calculation
- Disconnection and removal of old heaters
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility check
- Commissioning and controls set-up
- Air-to-air system sized for winter
Towns in County Durham
Pick your town for local details, or see every service in County Durham.