A heat pump route designed around the building.
We help landlords and homeowners assess heat loss, emitter requirements, electrical capacity, planning constraints and Boiler Upgrade Scheme support before treating a heat pump as the answer.
The voucher reduces cost. The design determines whether the system works.
A heat pump can be an effective low-carbon heating system, but performance depends on the building’s heat loss, flow temperature, emitters, controls and installation quality. The grant should support a sound design, not replace one.
Heat-loss calculation
Room-by-room heat loss establishes the output needed at design conditions and informs emitter sizing.
Review the fabricRadiators and hot water
Existing emitters, cylinder space and hot-water demand determine what must change and how intrusive the work may be.
Discuss the propertyLocation and noise
The outdoor unit needs suitable airflow, clearances, condensate management and a position that meets planning and neighbour considerations.
MCS heat-pump guidanceEPC and landlord strategy
For some rental properties, a well-designed heat pump can contribute to the future heating metric and may be lower cost than a wider package.
2030 MEES guide
Some smaller properties may have little or no contribution. Others will.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is an upfront grant, not a promise of a free installation. Total cost varies with heat-pump size, cylinders, emitters, electrical work, pipework and the complexity of the installation. Where the eligible grant covers the agreed price, the customer contribution can be low or zero. Larger or more complex systems normally cost more.
- GrantThe installer applies and the voucher is deducted from the eligible installation cost.
- QuoteThe property owner receives the full scope, grant value and contribution before proceeding.
- TermsEligibility, voucher validity and installation requirements must be met.
- ChoiceIf the heat-pump route is not suitable, we explain EPC testing, fabric or customer-paid alternatives.
An air source heat pump grant still needs a whole-system design.
Air source heat pump performance depends on the building heat loss, design temperatures, emitter sizes, hot-water demand, controls, outdoor unit position and electrical supply. A survey should explain those constraints and the installed cost before a system is quoted.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides current heat pump grant support for eligible installations in England and Wales through an MCS-certified installer. The grant reduces eligible upfront cost, but property-specific additions and customer contributions still need a clear quotation.
A heating project, not an appliance swap.
The best installations start with technical evidence and finish with controls, commissioning and a homeowner or tenant who understands how to use the system.
Assess
Property, heat loss, emitters, electrics, hot water and unit location.
Design
System output, flow temperature, cylinder, controls and installation scope.
Apply
The MCS-certified installer completes the BUS voucher process with consent.
Commission
Test, balance, explain controls and provide the relevant handover documents.
Decisions to make before installation.
These points affect cost, performance, disruption and suitability for a rented or owner-occupied home.
Property owners can use the scheme for eligible properties in England and Wales. The installer confirms the technology and property conditions and obtains owner consent.
Sometimes, particularly for a straightforward smaller property, but not always. The quote must show the total scope, the grant deduction and any customer contribution.
A heat pump can work in many building types, but lower heat loss generally supports lower flow temperatures and smaller emitters. Fabric improvements should be considered through the heat-loss design rather than assumed automatically.
No. The EPC outcome depends on the whole property and the methodology in force. We compare the heating route with specialist EPC evidence and fabric options before recommending it for compliance.
Find out whether the property suits the technology and the grant.
A free initial review can identify obvious constraints and arrange the right technical assessment.