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Heat pump running cost in Exeter
What does an air-source heat pump actually cost to run in Exeter, what does it save vs keeping a gas boiler, and when does it break even? This page uses the same assumptions as our full heat pump calculator — a typical UK 3-bed semi with average insulation, SCOP 3.3, current Ofgem-cap tariff — scaled by the regional heat demand in South West England.
What makes Exeter different
Devon's mild climate and modern rural housing stock make Exeter one of the strongest BUS grant uptake areas in the South West.
The figures above use a 3-bed semi-detached home with average insulation (SCOP 3.3), 12350 kWh of heat demand per year, and the current Ofgem default-tariff price cap (27.03p/kWh electricity, 6.04p/kWh gas). If your home is bigger, smaller, better or worse insulated, switch to the full heat pump calculator and pick your own archetype — the numbers can swing £200–£600/yr either way.
Don't forget the £7,500 BUS grant
The UK government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers up to £7,500 of a heat pump install for owner-occupiers and small landlords in England and Wales. Scotland has its own (more generous) Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan. Either way, the grant is deducted from the installer's quote — you never handle the money. Check your eligibility in our BUS grant calculator .
Other cities in South West England
Regional heat demand varies more than most people expect — coastal cities often beat inland ones by 5–10%.
| City | Multiplier | HP £/yr | Gas £/yr | Payback | 15-yr net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | 0.98 | £1266 | £1020 | 19.5 yrs | £-1806 |
| Bournemouth | 0.92 | £1202 | £965 | 19.4 yrs | £-1723 |
| Plymouth | 0.94 | £1223 | £983 | 19.4 yrs | £-1750 |
| Exeter (this page) | 0.95 | £1234 | £992 | 19.4 yrs | £-1764 |
| Bath | 0.98 | £1266 | £1020 | 19.5 yrs | £-1806 |
| Gloucester | 1.00 | £1287 | £1038 | 19.6 yrs | £-1834 |
Compare other cities
Pick any UK city to see its heat pump running cost side-by-side with Exeter.
Before you commit in Exeter
Three local factors decide your real running cost: your home's insulation level (a D-rated home runs 20% higher than C-rated), your radiator sizing (undersized rads drop SCOP fast), and installer pricing (the range within a single city can be £3k–£5k on the same job). Get at least three MCS-certified quotes before committing.
Insulate first, size second. Drop heat demand by 20–30% with a good cavity wall / loft insulation package and you'll buy a smaller heat pump for less up front — our heat loss calculator shows the size difference insulation makes. If you're also modelling solar, check the solar panel savings calculator — a heat pump running on cheap solar is one of the best UK home-energy combinations.