Instant
01 · Ask
Heat pump, solar, battery or all?
Different priorities, different ROI. Describe the house, the bills and the budget — the AI tells you what stacks up.
Install battery storage (no solar).
Standalone battery — store cheap-rate electricity, use during peak. Pays back on time-of-use tariff.
✓ Updated May 2026✓ Free quotes✓ Vetted pros
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Hire a renewables installer. MCS or no grant.
Read the brief on MCS, BUS grants, heat-loss surveys and right-sizing — then let Three local installers quote.
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02 · Read the brief
Walk in informed
BUS £7,500 heat pump grant, SEG export tariffs, MCS certification, EPC requirements, radiator upgrades. Know the rules.
60 seconds
03 · Compare
Compare 3 installer quotes
Three local installers quote on the same spec — heat-loss, sizing, grants, warranty — so the cheapest isn't accidentally the unfunded.
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Top tips
Hiring a renewable energy, without the regret.
Four moves that separate a smooth job from a nightmare.
Use MCS-certified installers only.
BUS, ECO4, SEG payments all require MCS-certified installation. Any installer without MCS means no grants and no SEG export tariff.
Get a heat-loss survey for heat pumps.
Heat pumps must be properly sized to your house heat loss. Insist on a Heat Loss Calculation (MCS-recognised) — never a 'kW per m²' shortcut.
Check radiator compatibility.
Heat pumps run at lower flow temps (35–55°C vs 70°C for gas). Most existing rads are undersized. Cost: £200–£500 per upgraded rad — get this on the quote.
Don't oversize solar PV.
Generation beyond what you export earns 5–15p/kWh (SEG). Generation you use saves 30p+. Right-sized to consumption beats massive arrays for ROI.
Costs & timeline
Know what it costs. Know when it ends.
Indicative UK ranges and what affects price.
Cost range
By job type
Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
Source: NMT quotes
Air source heat pump (install)Pre-grant
£8k–£14k
Ground source heat pump
£18k–£35k
Solar PV 4kW system
£6k–£9k
Battery storage (5kWh)
£3.5k–£6.5k
Solar thermal (hot water)
£4k–£7.5k
EV charger (Type 2, 7kW)
£800–£1.5k
!
Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.
At a glance
Infographic · VideoThe Renewable Energy briefing.
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Renewable Energy explained
Battery storage without solar — buy cheap off-peak, use peak. Octopus Go, Intelligent Go, Cosy 6p-7p off-peak. Avoid 30p+ peak. Expect to pay £4,000–£10,000 for UK standalone battery storage.
What Does the Work Involve?
NICEIC installer surveys electrical consumer unit. Battery sized 5-13.5kWh. Inverter (hybrid-ready for future solar). DNO notification. Smart energy tariff switch (Octopus Intelligent Go, Cosy, etc.). Commissioning + app setup.
Typical Costs
| Item | Low (£) | High (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5kWh battery install | 4,000 | 6,000 | Small/medium home |
| 10kWh battery install | 6,000 | 9,000 | Larger home |
| 13.5kWh Powerwall | 8,000 | 10,000 | Premium |
| Hybrid inverter | 500 | 2,000 | Solar-ready |
| Annual saving (Cosy/Go tariff) | 400 | 1,000 | Peak/off-peak diff |
| Payback period | 8 | 15 years | Vs solar+battery 7-12 |
| VAT zero-rated (combined with solar) | 0% | 0% | Solar required for 0% VAT |
UK Regulations
NICEIC install. DNO G99 notification for grid connection. Battery storage VAT 20% standalone (zero-rated bundled with solar). MCS not required for grid-only battery (vs solar).
Frequently Asked Questions
Worth without solar?
If smart tariff savings cover payback in 8-15 years. Time-of-use arbitrage required.
Tariff essential?
Yes — Octopus Cosy, Go, Intelligent Go. Cheap off-peak 7p, peak 30p+. Without tariff: no benefit.
Future solar addition?
Hybrid inverter ready. Add panels later — instant battery-solar integration.
EV charger combined?
Octopus Intelligent Go for EV + battery. Charges both off-peak. Saves £500+/year.
Best UK battery brands?
Tesla Powerwall, GivEnergy, Octopus Battery, SolarEdge, Solis. AC-coupled options for retrofit.
Backup during power cut?
Some batteries (Powerwall) do. Others grid-tied only. Spec specifically.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.
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