Getting a heat pump - Checklist

  1. Enhance your knowledge by visiting Energy Saving Trust energysavingtrust.org.uk, and more in-depth sources like Heat Geek www.heatgeek.com and BetaTalk - The Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Heating Podcast - Ignore anyone who repeats discredited myths (like “you can’t heat an old building without ‘deep retrofit’” - i.e. massive amounts of insulation).

  2. Use Nesta’s ‘Visit A Heat Pump’ scheme www.visitaheatpump.com  and/ or visit a trusted friend/ neighbour to learn things from owner-occupiers who have one.

  3. Get at least two quotes and cast your net wide, and always request and follow up on references. Trust your instincts regarding provider professionalism/ viability.

  4. Ensure provider is thorough in relation to assessment / survey, as follows:

        1. Proper survey of existing pipework, radiators & location for hot water tank;

        2. Room by room heat loss estimates; and

        3. Radiator sizing (or other emitter) and proposed changes (often, surprisingly few need to be upgraded, so if complete change proposed, challenge why).

        4. Mains water pressure check;

        5. Electricity mains supply/ fuse check (an independent electrician’s load survey advised - often current fuse is sufficient but it needs to be checked);

        6. Current planning rules; etc

        7. Remember you need an efficient approach not only an efficient system, to keep costs and disruption down (e.g. minimising radiator replacements)

  5. Ensure written proposal includes

    1. Use of ‘weather compensation’ to reduce flow temperature as far as possible (and certainly not use a fixed flow temperature);

    2. Predicted SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient Of Performance);

    3. Predicted electricity usage;

    4. Estimated carbon savings;

    5. Installation costs (incl. parts and labour), and costs of support / servicing;

    6. If quotes are significantly different (e.g. on 5.2 and 5.3) , explore why.

    7. Also judge installer on how well they listen and communicate.

  6. Ensure you’ll have the ability to monitor COP (Coefficient Of Performance) via console or App, and determine the SCOP, which should be at least 3.5.

  7. Avoid hybrid solutions (e.g. gas ‘back up’, for which there is no good reason)

  8. Be wary of ‘high temperature’ heat pump offers (needs a strong case).

  9. If large supplier / new entrant, be wary of sub-contracting, especially to inexperienced people (may lead to finger pointing & difficulty resolving issues).

  10. Be sure to assess overall offer (post-installation fixes; support; servicing; etc) and credibility (companies cannot rest on past laurels and need to continually prove themselves in delivering quality installs with good outcomes).