How to prepare for a heat pump site visit
In short
With a recent fuel bill and an electricity bill, photos of the boiler, emitters and consumer unit, and a clear idea of which services you want, the site visit is shorter and the quote much more accurate.
Author: Climai Group technical teamTechnical review: Climai GroupUpdated:
Which documents should you have ready?
| Document | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Recent fuel bill (heating oil, gas or propane) | Knowing how much energy the house uses today |
| Recent electricity bill | Checking contracted power and tariff |
| House plans, if you have them | Measuring rooms and pipe runs |
| Energy certificate, if there is one | Knowing the insulation and demand |
| Current boiler details | Output and year of installation |
Which photos help?
- The boiler and its rating plate.
- The hot water cylinder, if separate.
- The radiators in the main rooms or the underfloor heating manifold.
- The consumer unit, with the cover open.
- Where the outdoor unit would go: terrace, garden or roof.
- Access to the house and plant room, if there are stairs, ramps or narrow paths.
- The fuel tank, if there is one.
What should you decide beforehand?
- Which services you want: heating, cooling, hot water and, if there is one, pool.
- How the house is used: all year, seasonally or as a holiday let.
- Whether you will do other work: windows, roof, insulation or solar panels change the output needed.
- Whether you want grants: some require steps before starting. See grants.
What do we check on the visit?
| Point | Why |
|---|---|
| The home's heat loss | To calculate the right output |
| Emitters | To know what temperature the water will need |
| Existing installation | What can be reused and what needs flushing or replacing |
| Consumer unit and electrical power | Whether it needs increasing |
| Outdoor unit location | Air flow, noise, drainage and safety distances |
| Access | Transporting units, crane or lifting equipment |
Which questions should you ask the installer?
- What output do you propose and how did you calculate it?
- Which unit and refrigerant, and with what SCOP at my home's temperature? See SCOP: how to compare heat pumps.
- What can be reused from my current installation?
- What is left out of the quote?
- Who does the maintenance and how much does it cost?
Frequently asked questions
How long does the site visit take?
It depends on the size of the house and the installation. [DATO PENDIENTE: duración habitual de la visita de Climai Group]
Do I need to be at home?
Yes, or someone who knows the installation and can open the plant room, the consumer unit and the roof or place where the outdoor unit would go.
Do I need the energy certificate?
Not for the visit. But if you want the income tax deduction, the initial certificate must be issued before the work: it is worth ordering it early.
What if I have no heating oil bills?
An estimate works: how many litres you buy a year and at what price. That is enough to compare consumption.
What happens after the visit?
We prepare the study and the quote with the output, unit, cylinder and work needed, item by item.
Can I send the photos beforehand?
Yes, and we appreciate it: with the photos we can bring the right questions and materials to the visit. Send them by WhatsApp.
Shall we look at your home?
Estimate an indicative output or ask us for a quote. You deal with a single local installer.