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MetricResultPrevious EPC ratingENew EPC ratingCRooms with heating (before)1 (living room only)Rooms with heating (after)All roomsGrant applied£7,500 (Boiler Upgrade Scheme)Net cost vs. straight boiler swapLess expensive The property is now fully compliant with the trajectory of private rental EPC legislation. The tenant has even, controllable warmth in every room for the first time. No cold mornings. No cold bathroom. No huddling around one fire.

What it cost — and why the grant changes everything

Here is the part that surprises most landlords. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides £7,500 towards an air source heat pump in England and Wales. That grant is applied at point of installation — the landlord does not pay it up front and claim it back. With the BUS grant applied, the full heat pump and radiator system for this Fleetwood bungalow cost the landlord less than a straight gas boiler replacement would have. Not similar. Less. A better heating system, installed to a higher standard, covering every room in the property, for less than replacing like for like on a single boiler. That is not a promotional claim. It is the result for this specific property, and it is repeatable across a wide range of Fylde Coast rental stock.

Why this matters for landlords on the Fylde Coast

The minimum EPC rating for new private rental tenancies is already C in Scotland. England and Wales are heading the same way, with a target of EPC C by 2030 for all rented properties already on the table.

Landlords who act now do three things their future selves will thank them for:

Use the £7,500 grant while it is open. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is government-funded and finite. There is no guarantee it will remain at current levels. Plan and book on their own schedule. Installer capacity for heat pumps is not unlimited. Landlords who move early get the appointment they want. Avoid the compliance cliff edge. A landlord upgrading under time pressure, competing for installers and chasing a grant that may have changed, will pay more and have fewer choices.

The Fleetwood landlord now owns a compliant C-rated property. His tenant has a warm home. The work is done.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an air source heat pump cost for a rental property in Lancashire?
For a typical Fylde Coast rental property, a Thermova air source heat pump installation costs less than most landlords expect once the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is applied. The £7,500 BUS grant reduces the net cost significantly, and for smaller properties — such as one-bedroom bungalows — the grant-adjusted total often comes in below the cost of a gas boiler replacement. Thermova provides a fixed-price quote after a free property survey.
What is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and how does it work?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government grant of £7,500 for an air source heat pump in England and Wales. The grant is claimed by the installer on the landlord's behalf and applied directly to the installation cost — there is no up-front payment and reimbursement. Landlords pay the net cost only. Thermova handles the application as part of every eligible heat pump installation.
Can an air source heat pump improve my property's EPC rating?
Yes. Replacing a gas fire or old gas boiler with an air source heat pump typically produces a significant EPC improvement. The Fleetwood bungalow in this case study moved from EPC E to EPC C in a single installation, bringing it into compliance with anticipated private rental minimum standards.
Do I need to replace all the radiators when fitting an air source heat pump?
In most cases, yes — at least some radiators will need to be upgraded to work efficiently with a heat pump. Heat pumps operate at lower flow temperatures than gas boilers, so radiators need to be appropriately sized to deliver the same heat output. Thermova conducts a full room-by-room heat loss calculation as part of every installation and designs the radiator system accordingly. For the Fleetwood bungalow, which had no central heating at all, a complete new radiator system was fitted throughout.
How long does an air source heat pump installation take?
For most domestic properties, Thermova completes the heat pump installation within one to two days. The Fleetwood bungalow — including the full new radiator system throughout the property — was completed in a single visit.
Will an air source heat pump work in an older Lancashire property?
Yes, when designed correctly. Heat pump performance depends on insulation and radiator sizing, not the age of the property. Thermova conducts a full heat loss survey before every installation to confirm the system will perform as projected. Many older Fylde Coast properties — including bungalows, terraces and semi-detacheds — are suitable for heat pump installation with the right design approach.
What happens if I don't upgrade my rental property to EPC C by 2030?
Landlords in England and Wales are expected to meet a minimum EPC C rating by 2030 for all rented properties. Properties below C may not be legally lettable after that date. Landlords who miss the deadline face the risk of voids, enforcement action, and upgrade costs under time pressure — without the benefit of grant funding that may no longer be available or at current levels.
Is an air source heat pump better than a new gas boiler for a rental property?
For most Fylde Coast rental properties, a heat pump with the BUS grant applied is now cost-competitive with a new gas boiler at point of installation, while also delivering EPC compliance, lower running costs for tenants, and a system that will not need replacing again before 2040. A new gas boiler will require another upgrade before 2030 to meet the EPC C standard. The heat pump does both jobs in one.
Is your Fylde Coast rental property a candidate?
The Fleetwood bungalow is one specific property, but the approach scales. Most Fylde Coast rental properties are candidates if they have: A single gas fire, storage heaters, or an ageing gas boiler as the primary heat source An EPC rating of D or E that will not meet the 2030 standard without intervention A landlord who wants to act now rather than under pressure You do not need a large property. You do not need a high EPC starting point. Thermova's free property survey confirms suitability, projects the post-installation EPC, and sets out the exact net cost with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant applied.

Next step

Get a free heat pump survey for your rental property

Every Thermova heat pump installation starts with a free property survey covering heat loss calculations, radiator design, projected EPC improvement, and the confirmed grant position — before you commit to anything. If you are a landlord in Fleetwood, Thornton, Cleveleys, Poulton-le-Fylde, Bispham or anywhere across the Fylde Coast, get in touch and we will tell you exactly what your property needs and what it will cost with the grant applied.

→ Book your free Thermova heat pump survey: thermova.uk/contact → Read the Solar Panels & Battery Storage Case Study (linked separately) → See the Combined Heat Pump + Solar + Battery Case Study (linked separately)

EPC ratings stated are based on the Energy Performance Certificate issued following installation. Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant amount reflects the current published rate of £7,500 for air source heat pumps in England and Wales; grant availability is subject to scheme funding and eligibility criteria. Cost comparison with gas boiler replacement is based on this specific installation; individual property costs will vary. Thermova is an MCS-certified installer.

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