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In Exeter, Mid Devon, East Devon the average household spends £1,037 a year on heating — 8% higher than the UK average of £960. Typical homes are 96.0 m² with 5.4 rooms. The local population is around 26,352 residents (Census 2021). Switching to an air-source heat pump could save up to £415 a year for an average home after the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.


Areas covered

Bradninch, Broadclyst, Cadbury, Clyst Honiton, Clyst St. Mary, Cranbrook, Newton St. Cyres, Silverton, Talaton, Whimple, Woodbury

See more in the EX area hub.

Typical air-source heat-pump installation costs range from about £6,000 at the low end to roughly £18,000 at the high end. Most homes fall somewhere between £7,000 and £15,000. These prices are before the £7,500 BUS grant (in addition, qualifying rural and island homes in Scotland may receive a further £1,500 uplift under the Home Energy Scotland scheme, for up to £9 000 of grant funding).

Installation costs in Exeter, Mid Devon, East Devon are around 10% higher than the UK average.

CategoryNational cost range Adjusted for EX5 (×1.10) Net after £7,500 BUS grant
Small flats / simple installs £ 6,000 – £ 7,000 £ 6,600 – £ 7,700 from ~£ 1,000*
2–3-bed semis / moderate upgrades £ 8,000 – £ 12,000 £ 8,800 – £ 13,200 £ 1,300 – £ 5,700
Large detached / extensive work £ 13,000 – £ 18,000 £ 14,300 – £ 19,800 £ 6,800 – £ 12,300

* Minimum net costs rarely fall below £1,000 after grant, since most installs incur at least minor extra work.

Lower end
  • Minimal groundwork or plumbing modification required
  • Well-insulated homes that only need a compact ASHP unit
Mid end
  • Moderate radiator or underfloor-heating upgrades
  • Typical pump size (8–12 kW)
Upper end
  • Large detached houses or older properties needing major pipework
  • Extensive insulation or radiator replacement
  • Multi-zone controls and bespoke system design

Heat pump FAQs

How much does a heat pump cost here?

About £4,233 for a typical 3-bedroom home after the £7,500 grant.

How much can I save on heating bills?

Roughly £415 per year for the average home at current price-cap rates.

  • £1,037 Average Heating Cost UK avg £960
  • 96.0 m² Median Floor Area UK avg 84.7 m²
  • 5.4 Average Rooms UK avg 5

Local energy snapshot

Latest tariff window: 2025Q4

Ofgem region & price cap

South Western · 26.82p/kWh · 54.03p/day

PV potential (south-facing)

1,028 kWh per kWp/year

Dwelling mix

House 80.4% Flat 6.7% Bungalow 12.3% Detached 34% Semi-detached 27.5% Terraced 33.8%

EPC certificates

7,792 on record

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Compare nearby areas: EX2 (Teignbridge, Exeter, East Devon) · EX3 (Exeter, East Devon) · EX4 (Teignbridge, Exeter, East Devon) · EX6 (Teignbridge, West Devon, Mid Devon) · EX7 (Teignbridge) · EX8 (East Devon)

Heat Pump Installation & Ownership Guide

Everything you need to know

Installation Timeline

1
Initial Quote & Survey 1-2 weeks
MCS-certified installer visits to assess your property, calculate heat loss, and provide detailed quote
📋
Heat loss calculation
📏
Property measurements
💡
System design proposal
💰
Fixed price quote
2
Planning & Permits 0-2 weeks (formal planning ≈ 8 weeks for listed / conservation properties)
Most properties need no planning permission thanks to 2025 rule changes
✓
No boundary restrictions (new rules)
🏠
Permitted development rights
📋
Building regulations notification
🔧
MCS compliance check
3
Installation 1-3 days
Professional installation of outdoor unit, indoor components, and system integration
🔧
Outdoor unit mounting
🔌
Electrical connections
🔄
System commissioning
📱
Smart controls setup
4
Certification & Grant typically 1-2 weeks
MCS certificate issued, building control sign-off, and £7,500 grant processed
📜
MCS commissioning certificate
🏛️
Building control approval
💰
BUS grant payment
📋
Warranty registration
∞
Ongoing Ownership 15-20 years
Minimal maintenance required - annual service and basic upkeep for optimal performance
🔧
Annual service: £150-300
🧹
Filter cleaning (DIY)
❄️
Winter prep checks
📊
Performance monitoring

Planning Permission Requirements

No Permission Needed

Standard Properties

    ✅ Detached, semi-detached, terraced houses
    ✅ Unit size up to 1 m³ (increased from 0.6 m³)
    ✅ No 1-meter boundary rule (removed 2025)
    ✅ Up to 2 units for detached houses
    ✅ Noise limit: 37 dB at neighbor's window

Check Required

Special Circumstances

    ⚠️ Listed buildings
    ⚠️ Conservation areas
    ⚠️ World Heritage sites
    ⚠️ Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
    ⚠️ Flats and maisonettes

Maintenance & Ownership Costs

£150-300
Annual Service
£0-50
Filter Replacement
15-20
Years Lifespan
5-10
Years Warranty
💡 Maintenance Tip: Regular servicing prevents up to 25% efficiency loss. Annual services typically pay for themselves in energy savings and prevent costly repairs.

Official Heat Pump Resources & Data Sources

📋 Regulatory & Grants

  • Ofgem Energy Price Cap
    Official cap figures, update timetable and how rates are calculated.
    Visit Official Site ↗
  • Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
    Grant rules, eligibility checker and application steps.
    Visit Official Site ↗
  • Permitted-Development Rules for Heat Pumps
    Full legal criteria (noise ≤ 42 dB(A), unit volume ≤ 1 m³, siting, listed-building caveats).
    Visit Official Site ↗
  • Planning & Noise Guidance (DESNZ)
    Plain-language tips on boundary distances and acoustic tests.
    Visit Official Site ↗

💰 Cost, Savings & Best Practice

  • Energy Saving Trust – Air-Source Heat Pump Advice
    Running-cost calculators, sizing tips and maintenance basics.
    Visit Official Site ↗
  • MCS Best-Practice Heat Pump Guide (PDF)
    Detailed but homeowner-friendly design and installation standards.
    Download PDF ↗
  • Find an MCS-Certified Installer
    Search tool to verify local companies before you request quotes.
    Search Installers ↗
  • Delta-ee / BEIS Cost Study (2020)
    Benchmark install prices we reference in our calculator.
    View Study (PDF) ↗

📊 Data Transparency & Carbon

  • Census 2021 Postcode Resident & Household Data
    Source for the local population figures on our sector pages.
    View Data Source ↗
  • National Grid Carbon Intensity Live Data
    Real-time CO₂ per kWh; underpins our carbon-saving estimate in the calculator.
    View Live Data ↗
  • Department for Energy Security and Net Zero - Heat Pump Trends
    Quarterly data on the number of heat pumps installed in the United Kingdom.
    View Statistics ↗