Resources / Checklists
Heat Pump Readiness Checklist
Devon & Cornwall homes — use this before you request quotes or lock a system size. Print it or keep it beside you on survey calls.
Independent planning tool from HeatWiseSW — not a quote and not a grant application.
How to use: Tick what you already know. Gaps are the questions to ask installers. Bring bills and photos of the boiler, cylinder, consumer unit and outdoor space.
1. Building & heat loss
- ☐Rough floor area and age/type of property noted (terrace, solid stone, new build, etc.)
- ☐Loft insulation depth known (or “none / unknown”)
- ☐Wall type known (solid stone/cob, cavity, insulated)
- ☐Windows mostly single / secondary / double
- ☐Any planned insulation this year written down
- ☐I will ask for a room-by-room heat loss — not only “we’ve done lots of 3-beds”
- ☐I will ask what outdoor design temperature / weather location they used
2. Current heating & fuel
- ☐Fuel: mains gas / oil / LPG / electric / other
- ☐Last 12–24 months fuel cost estimated
- ☐Boiler age and any recent breakdowns noted
- ☐Hot water: combi / cylinder / thermal store
- ☐Radiators: mostly original / partly upgraded / unknown sizes
- ☐Any existing underfloor heating (rooms?)
3. Emitters & flow temperature
- ☐I understand heat pumps prefer lower flow temperatures than old boilers
- ☐I will ask what flow temperature emitters were sized at
- ☐Radiator upgrades or UFH discussed as options, not afterthoughts
- ☐If UFH: floor type (solid / joist), height limits, occupied during works?
4. Outdoor unit & noise
- ☐Possible siting spots photographed (distance to windows, neighbours, boundaries)
- ☐I will ask about MCS 020 / permitted development noise assessment for the exact position
- ☐Airflow clearances and condensate drainage path considered
- ☐Conservation / listed / flat? Planning may differ from standard PD
5. Electrics & future kit
- ☐Consumer unit age / spare ways noted if known
- ☐Main fuse size known or “to be checked”
- ☐Solar / battery / EV planned within 5 years? (tell the designer)
6. Grants & money
- ☐BUS: expect installer to handle eligible grant (£7,500 typical; £9,000 often for oil/LPG with no mains gas — confirm GOV.UK)
- ☐Quote shows price before and after grant clearly
- ☐Running-cost assumptions (SCOP, tariff) written down — not only capital
- ☐Contingency allowed for emitters / electrics / fabric surprises
7. Installer conversation — must ask
- ☐Can I see the heat loss and emitter schedule?
- ☐What capacity does this model have at our design outdoor temperature and flow temperature?
- ☐Who commissions weather compensation and how is handover done?
- ☐What happens if rooms are short on the first cold snap?
Next step
Get a planning band for your home, then use this list on real surveys.
HeatWiseSW — independent advice for Devon & Cornwall. Checklists are educational planning aids. Installers provide formal design and quotes.
Next step
Get a realistic planning band for your home, then use the checklist when you speak to installers.