Last updated June 2026 · Written by the CCS Heating & Renewables technical team, Pool, Redruth
A heat pump is a low-carbon heating system that moves heat from the outside air or ground into your home, delivering 3–5 units of heat for every unit of electricity it uses. Across Cornwall, heat pumps are replacing oil boilers, LPG and electric storage heaters as the most cost-effective and future-proof way to heat a home — and the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant has made the switch more affordable than ever.
This page is the supplier-neutral guide to choosing and installing a heat pump in Cornwall, covering the difference between air source heat pumps in Cornwall and ground source heat pumps in Cornwall, realistic local costs, grants, and what makes Cornish properties a particularly good fit. CCS Heating & Renewables is an MCS certified, Gas Safe registered installer based in Pool, Redruth, serving every town in the county.
Why heat pumps work well in Cornwall
Cornwall is one of the strongest regions in the UK for heat pumps, for three reasons:
- Mild coastal winters. Heat pumps work hardest in deep cold, and Cornwall's air temperature rarely drops below freezing. Higher average winter temperatures than inland England keep the seasonal efficiency (SCOP) high, so running costs stay low.
- Large off-gas-grid population. Tens of thousands of Cornwall homes — across rural parishes, villages and the china-clay area around St Austell — are off the mains gas grid and rely on oil, LPG or electric heating. A heat pump typically undercuts all three on running cost.
- Excellent solar pairing. Cornwall has the best solar resource in England. Pairing a heat pump with solar panels in Cornwall and battery storage means a large share of your heating can be powered by your own roof.
Air source vs ground source heat pumps in Cornwall
Both types use the same principle, but they collect heat differently. For most Cornwall homes an air source heat pump is the right answer; ground source comes into its own on larger rural properties with land available.
| Type | How it works | Indicative Cornwall cost (installed) | Best for | SCOP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air source (ASHP) | Extracts heat from outside air with an outdoor fan unit; no groundworks needed. | £9,000–£14,000 (£1,500–£6,500 after £7,500 BUS grant) | Most Cornwall homes — terraces, semis, bungalows and detached properties with reasonable insulation. | 3.5–4.5 |
| Ground source (GSHP) | Extracts heat from buried pipe loops or boreholes; needs land or drilling. | £18,000–£35,000 (£10,500–£27,500 after £7,500 BUS grant) | Larger rural Cornwall homes and farms with garden or field space for ground loops. | 4.0–5.0 |
SCOP = Seasonal Coefficient of Performance — units of heat produced per unit of electricity used. Costs are indicative Cornwall ranges; your free CCS survey gives an exact figure.
Read our full guides to air source heat pump installation in Cornwall and ground source heat pumps in Cornwall for the detail on each.
Heat pump costs in Cornwall by property size (2026)
Air source heat pump cost depends mainly on the heat-loss of your property, which sets the kW output you need. The table below shows typical Cornwall figures, the net cost after the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, and indicative annual running costs.
| Property | Heat pump size | Install cost | After £7,500 BUS | Annual running cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bed flat / small bungalow | 5kW | £8,500–£10,500 | £1,000–£3,000 | £550–£750 |
| 2–3 bed terrace / semi | 7kW | £9,500–£12,500 | £2,000–£5,000 | £700–£950 |
| 3–4 bed detached | 9–11kW | £11,000–£14,000 | £3,500–£6,500 | £950–£1,300 |
| 4–5 bed / period farmhouse | 12–16kW | £13,500–£18,000 | £6,000–£10,500 | £1,300–£1,800 |
Figures are indicative Cornwall ranges for air source systems. Running costs assume a SCOP of ~3.8 and 2026 electricity prices; a smart tariff or solar reduces them further. Ground source costs are higher (see comparison above).
For a full breakdown of what drives the price, see our Cornwall heat pump cost guide, or use our heat pump sizing calculator to estimate the kW your home needs.
Heat pumps for off-gas and rural Cornwall
Cornwall has one of the highest proportions of off-gas-grid homes in England. If your home is heated by an oil boiler, an LPG tank or electric storage heaters, a heat pump is usually the single biggest saving you can make — because you are competing against expensive, volatile fuels rather than mains gas.
- Replacing oil: oil prices swing sharply, and an oil boiler runs at 80–90% efficiency. A heat pump at SCOP 3.8 delivers heat far more cheaply per kWh, and you remove the cost and hassle of oil deliveries and tank maintenance.
- Replacing LPG: LPG is one of the most expensive heating fuels in the UK. Switching to a heat pump typically halves or better the running cost while eliminating bottle and bulk-tank charges.
- Replacing electric storage heaters: a heat pump uses roughly a quarter of the electricity to deliver the same heat, and gives you proper thermostatic control room by room.
- Period and granite properties: Cornwall's older housing stock can run on a heat pump with correct sizing, larger emitters or underfloor heating, and sensible insulation. We design every system around the building.
Because we cover the whole county from Pool, Redruth, we install across rural Cornwall as readily as the main towns — from the far west around Penzance to the eastern parishes near Liskeard and Looe.
The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant in Cornwall
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) gives Cornwall homeowners a £7,500 grant towards both air source AND ground source heat pumps. It is paid through your MCS certified installer — so we apply on your behalf and discount it from your quote, meaning you never have to pay the full amount upfront. Key points:
- The grant is the same £7,500 whether you choose an air source or a ground source heat pump.
- 0% VAT applies to heat pump installations until 31 March 2027 — an additional saving on top of the grant.
- ECO4, GBIS and the Warm Homes: Local Grant can fund heat pumps and insulation for eligible low-income households via Cornwall Council partners.
- You must use an MCS certified installer (like CCS) to claim BUS — it cannot be applied for after a non-MCS install.
Full eligibility and the application process are on our Boiler Upgrade Scheme Cornwall page. We never invent grant rates — these are the current UK 2026 figures.
Heat pump brands we install
CCS is brand-neutral and specifies the right heat pump for each property. We regularly install market-leading units from Mitsubishi Ecodan, Daikin and Vaillant aroTHERM Plus, alongside hot-water and controls kit from Worcester Bosch and Mixergy. Our recommendation is based on your heat-loss, emitters and budget — not a single supplier relationship.
Heat pump installation across Cornwall
We install heat pumps in every part of Cornwall — from Penzance and the far west, through Truro, Falmouth and Redruth, across to St Austell, Bodmin and out to Liskeard and Looe in the east. Popular areas:
Cornwall heat pump customers
Real reviews from CCS heat pump installations across the county.
"CCS installed our air source heat pump and the whole process was brilliant from start to finish. They handled the BUS grant application, and our heating bills have dropped significantly. The house is warmer than it ever was with our old oil boiler."
James & Sarah T.
St Austell
"We were nervous about switching from oil to a heat pump in our period cottage, but CCS made the whole process straightforward. The heat pump is quiet, efficient, and our oil delivery days are over. Brilliant job."
Mark & Louise R.
Fowey
"After much research we chose CCS for our heat pump installation and we are so glad we did. They took the time to explain everything, handled the grant paperwork, and the installation was completed in three days. Very professional team."
Margaret H.
Par