Heat pump installation in Cambridge
A clear verdict on your Cambridge home, then a fixed price from an MCS certified installer with the £7,500 grant taken off.
Heat pumps in Cambridge: a house-by-house answer
Newer homes on the edges of Cambridge are usually the simplest to switch, and some were built with heat pumps already. Suburban semis are often good candidates once insulation is checked. Victorian terraces near the centre can work, as long gardens give room for the unit, but solid walls, sash windows and conservation rules all need weighing up.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 off an air source heat pump. Your MCS-certified installer claims it and takes it off your bill.
Victorian gault brick and red brick terraces: Gardens are often long and narrow, which can give room for the unit at the back. Solid walls and original sash windows add to heat loss, so expect some larger radiators.
Interwar and post-war semis in the northern and eastern suburbs: Frequently a good fit, with gardens for the unit and an airing cupboard ready for a cylinder. Cavity wall and loft insulation are worth confirming first.
Recent developments on the city fringes: Well-insulated new houses are usually the easiest homes to convert, and running costs are often lowest here. Apartments need freeholder agreement and somewhere to put the unit.
Heat pump installation prices in Cambridge
| Job | Typical price | Fitting time |
|---|---|---|
| Air source heat pump, before any grant | £11,000 to £14,500 | 2 to 5 days |
| After the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant | £3,500 to £7,000 | grant applied by installer |
| Radiator upgrades, if needed | £300 to £600 each | same visit |
| Hot water cylinder | usually included | same visit |
Typical prices including VAT, checked October 2026. Your installer gives you a fixed price in writing before any work starts. More detail in our heat pump installation cost guide.
Is a new boiler the better call?
In a draughty or hard-to-insulate Cambridge home, a modern combi can still be the smarter buy. We will tell you straight.
See boiler replacement optionsAreas we cover around Cambridge
- Chesterton
- Romsey
- Cherry Hinton
- Trumpington
- Arbury
- Newnham
- Histon
- Girton
- Great Shelford
- Milton
Also nearby: Heat pump installation in Peterborough, Heat pump installation in Chelmsford, Heat pump installation in Luton, Heat pump installation in Norwich
Heat pump installation in Cambridge: questions
What does a heat pump cost in Cambridge?
Before any grant, an air source heat pump usually costs £11,000 to £14,500 fitted. The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant takes most Cambridge homes down to around £3,500 to £7,000. Any radiator upgrades appear as clear lines in the fixed quote.
Can I fit a heat pump to a terrace in a Cambridge conservation area?
Often, but the permitted development rules are stricter there, and a unit on a wall facing the street is likely to need planning permission. Most terraces have the unit in the back garden, which avoids that. Listed buildings always need consent.
Will sash windows stop a heat pump working?
No, but they add heat loss. Draught-proofing sashes or adding secondary glazing helps a heat pump run at a lower flow temperature and keeps bills down. The survey accounts for your windows when sizing the system.
Am I eligible for the £7,500 grant in Cambridge?
If you are replacing a gas, oil or other fossil fuel system, have a valid EPC and use an MCS certified installer, most likely yes. Homes that already have a heat pump from new cannot claim. The installer applies for you.