Air Source Heat Pump Installation in Lostwithiel

Lostwithiel: Cornwall's Highest Off-Gas Rate in a Market Town

Lostwithiel has an off-gas rate of approximately 80% — one of the highest of any market town in mid-Cornwall. Almost all properties in the PL22 postcode rely on oil, LPG, or electric heating, making them eligible for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant when switching to an air source heat pump. The economic case here is straightforward: oil price volatility alone makes heat pumps compelling, before counting the grant.

Heritage Properties: What the Conservation Area Means in Practice

Lostwithiel's historic core — Georgian townhouses, medieval stone cottages, and the 13th-century Great Hall — is a conservation area. This matters for heat pump external unit placement: units visible from public streets or in front gardens of listed buildings require planning consideration. However, most properties have rear gardens or side passages where external units can be sited discreetly, satisfying Cornwall Council's heritage guidelines. Our engineers assess the planning position during the free survey. We have installed heat pumps in conservation areas throughout Cornwall and understand what works.

Property Types & What They Need

• Georgian & Victorian townhouses (Fore Street, North Street): Solid stone walls, typically 3–4 bedrooms. Often 10–14kW heat pumps. Radiator upgrades vary from 0–6 depending on age of existing radiators.
• Hillside View & newer residential: 1970s–2000s detached homes with cavity walls. Straightforward 8–10kW installs, often no radiator changes needed.
• Lerryn, Golant & rural parishes: Off-gas farmhouses and cottages, often oil-heated. BUS grant eligible. Some properties ideal for ground source heat pumps where land is available.

See our full oil-to-heat-pump guide and heat pump costs page for typical post-grant prices.