How to Choose the Right Heat Pump Installer For Your Home

Choosing a heat pump installer: what to look for

If you’re thinking about buying and installing a heat pump in your home, you’ve probably heard a lot of myths about how much they cost and how efficient they are. There are numerous stories on forums, YouTube and survey sites about heat pumps that aren’t heating a house efficiently or are costing homeowners a fortune. On the surface you might think this is a problem with heat pumps, but almost every case of a non-working air source heat pump discovered by our installers is due to improper installation. So, in addition to finding the best heat pump, you must also find the best heat pump installer.

Why is it critical to select the right heat pump installer?

Government grants and initiatives have caused a rapid increase in the number of heat pump installations in recent years, with 36,000 installed in 2021 and the number expected to double in 2022. Despite this, there is a significant shortage of trained heat pump installers. There are only 1,900 qualified heat pump installers in the UK, compared to over 100,000 gas boiler installers. Due to the rapid increase in demand, some companies and individuals have begun to offer installation services without adequate training.

This lack of experience and training frequently results in faulty installations, the consequences of which can be severe. It not only leads to inaccurate rumours about heat pump performance, but it can also cause serious problems for homeowners, such as losing heating and hot water, huge energy bills, and the cost of repairing the problem.

What a reputable installer should provide

Choosing a trustworthy installer means they will walk you through the installation process step by step and provide you with:

• A heat loss survey: this survey will examine your home’s heating needs and show where heat is lost in a building, helping you determine which renewable heating system is best for your home.
• An honest opinion: heat pumps are not appropriate for all heating systems in all homes, especially those that are not insulated or double-glazed. A reputable installer will give you their honest opinion on whether a heat pump is appropriate for your home.
• An installation plan: a heat pump has specific requirements, such as being located on the exterior of your home in an area with free airflow. An installation plan ensures the heat pump is installed correctly and works efficiently with your heating system.
• Guidance on the right type of air source heat pump: the type of pump required will be determined by your home’s specific heating needs. It’s not a one-size-fits-all installation, so ensure you get guidance on which pump to buy before you purchase.
• A quick and high-quality installation: a good installer will ensure the process is smooth, the job is tidy and that you are never left without hot water or heating for too long, even if the installation takes a few days.

How do you find an MCS-accredited installer?

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is the industry standard for renewable product and installation certification. So, when selecting an installer, make sure to request proof of their MCS certification. This ensures they have received adequate training to properly install your heat pump. The MCS also maintains its own contractor directory, making it simple to locate a qualified air source heat pump installer near you. You can also hire one of our MCS-certified heat pump installers.

What questions should you ask an air source heat pump installer?

Before scheduling any consultations, we recommend doing some reading and research on the various renewable heating options available — including the different types of heat pumps (air source, ground source and various manufacturers) and other options such as installing solar panels. Once you’re confident a heat pump will meet your needs, schedule some consultations and ask installers the following:

• If they provide a heat survey and installation plan: some contractors may outsource this work to other companies, but you should receive both of these documents before any work begins.
• Are they MCS accredited? They should have certification proving they’ve met this industry standard.
• If they have any customer reviews: always check these to see if they’ve got the experience and level of service you need.

What questions should the heat pump installer ask you?

Any heat pump installer who wants to do a thorough job will have many questions for you about your heating system and needs, including:

• Which areas of your home must be heated and how (for example, underfloor heating): this will help determine the system’s requirements.
• If your home has a recent heat survey: this should be completed as part of the installation process.
• If you require any planning permissions in order to install your pump: they should offer to check this for you if you are unsure.

We offer high-quality heat pump installations

We have an expert installation planning team and qualified MCS heat pump installers at Clean Heat Solutions who will walk you through the heat pump installation process step by step. In addition to providing a free installation plan as standard, we will assist you with any planning permission requests or grant applications at no cost. Both industry leaders and customers have confidence in us.

So, if you’ve been looking for ‘air source heat pump installers near me’ but haven’t found any, contact us today to find your ideal renewable heating system. Clean Heat Solutions’ heat pump installers cover Portsmouth, Southampton and all of West Sussex and Hampshire. For more detail on typical systems and options, see our air source heat pumps service, or view our customer reviews. Get in touch through our contact page or call 07391473964.