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.
Spot heat pump red flags.
How to identify cowboy heat-pump installers — what proper MCS-certified installers do differently.
✓ Updated May 2026✓ Free quotes✓ Vetted pros
20,000+UK homeowners
50,000Quotes sent
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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.
Free
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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Get renewables quotes Ready when you are
Enter your postcode and get free quotes from local pros.
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
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Renewable Energy explained
Heat pump installer market booming — 60,000+ installs UK 2025 but only 5,471 MCS-certified contractors. Demand exceeds supply, attracting cowboys. Common red flags and how to avoid £15,000 mistakes. Expect to spend £200–£600 on independent assessment vs installer's quote.
What Does the Work Involve?
Verify MCS certification (mcscertified.com lookup). Demand MCS 3005 heat loss calculation. Get 3+ written quotes. Reference check installed systems. Check insurance £2m+ PL. Insurance-backed warranty (HIES/QANW).
Typical Costs
| Item | Cost (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Independent heat loss survey | 200-600 | Pays for itself |
| 3rd-party MCS audit | 300-800 | Pre-install verification |
| Installer reference visit | 0 | Free, do 2-3 |
| Property heat loss software (DIY) | 50-200 | Heat Engineer, Loop |
| Quote review by engineer | 100-400 | Sanity check |
| Repair cost from bad install | 2,000-15,000 | If undersized/poor |
| BUS grant lost | -7,500 | If installer not MCS |
Common Red Flags
- No MCS certification: No grant, no consumer protection. Walk away.
- "Same heat pump as your boiler" sizing: Lazy. Heat loss calc essential.
- Skipping radiator assessment: 60-70% need upgrades. Hidden cost later.
- Door-to-door cold call: Almost always cowboy. Reputable installers don't.
- Cash-only or upfront full payment: Insurance-backed warranty impossible.
- "BUS grant uses up by Friday": Pressure tactic. Grant runs to 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
How verify MCS certification?
mcscertified.com installer lookup. Free, live database. Verify before signing.
Quote variation normal?
30-50% spread between quotes is normal. 100%+ suggests one is wrong (under or over).
Insurance-backed warranty?
HIES, QANW, IWA. Protects you if installer ceases trading. Essential.
Why heat loss calc essential?
Undersized: cold home, high bills. Oversized: cycling, premature wear. MCS 3005 mandatory.
BUS grant timing?
Grant valid through 2028 (£1.5bn extra funding). No artificial deadlines. Take your time.
Reference visit etiquette?
Most installers happy to arrange. Visit 2-3 installed systems. Ask about noise, bills, post-install service.
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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