What Happens During a Heat Pump Survey?

Q: How long does a heat pump survey take?

Most surveys take a good part of a morning or afternoon, depending on the size of the house. The surveyor needs to see every room, the loft or cupboard space, the electrics and the outside. Having your recent energy bills to hand can help the conversation.

Q: Do I need to be home for the survey?

Yes, it helps a great deal. The surveyor needs access to every room, plus your cylinder cupboard, meter and consumer unit, and wants to hear how your household uses heating and hot water. If you are a landlord, a tenant can let us in, as long as they agree in advance.

Q: Will the survey tell me my running costs?

It will help you understand them. Heat pumps are more than three times more efficient than a gas or oil boiler, but on standard tariffs electricity is nearly four times more expensive than gas, so running costs can be slightly higher. A heat pump time-of-use tariff can bring them below a gas boiler (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). Call 01922 302461 or request a free survey, and we will arrange a time that suits you.

Find out what happens during a heat pump survey, from room checks to your written quote. A plain-English guide from your Walsall Heat Pump Surveys team.

Last updated: October 2026

If you are thinking about replacing a gas, oil, LPG or electric heating system, the first step is a heat pump survey. It is a visit to your home, not a sales pitch, and it gives you a written quote based on your actual house rather than a guess. Eco Air Source Heat Pump Installer is based in Walsall (WS1), open 7 days from 9am to 7pm, and our survey is free. Here is what to expect on the day, so nothing catches you out.

Walking through the house and talking about how you live

The surveyor starts by asking questions, not measuring. How many people live in the house? When is the heating on? Do you take baths or showers? Are you planning an extension or loft conversion? These answers shape the size of the system far more than most people expect.

Then comes a walk around every room. The surveyor notes the size of each room, the windows, the type of walls and the current radiators or underfloor heating. Rooms that lose heat quickly need more output, so this room-by-room look is what makes the quote accurate. It is also a good moment to mention any rooms that are always cold, because that tells us something useful.

Choosing where everything goes

A heat pump has an outdoor unit, and the surveyor will check where it can sit. Good spots are on firm, level ground with clear airflow, not too close to a neighbour’s bedroom window. Most heat pump installations are permitted development, so no planning permission is needed, but check with your local planning department if you live in a listed building or conservation area (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).

Next is the hot water cylinder. A cylinder can usually fit in any cupboard measuring at least 80cm x 80cm (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). The surveyor will measure your airing cupboard or look at other options, such as a utility room or loft, and note how pipework could run between the cylinder and the outdoor unit.

You will also hear about the two main system types. Monobloc units keep all components in one outdoor unit and are cheaper and quicker to install, while split systems can be slightly more efficient (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). The surveyor will explain which suits your home and why.

Radiators, pipework and the electrics

Heat pumps run the water at a lower temperature than a boiler, so radiators matter. The surveyor checks whether your existing ones are big enough to heat each room, or whether a few need swapping. Any radiator upgrades are priced separately in your quote, so you can see them clearly. Pipework size and condition get checked too.

Your electrics are looked at as well. The surveyor will see your consumer unit and meter position to confirm the supply can cope. If anything needs attention, it goes in writing, not as a surprise later.

What you get afterwards, and what it costs

After the visit you receive a written quote showing the system, the work and the price. For context, the typical cost of installing an air source heat pump in the UK is around £12,000 (Energy Saving Trust, 2026), while Checkatrade puts the supply and installation at £3,000 to £15,000 on average, not including extras such as upgrading radiators (Checkatrade, 2026). Your own figure depends on your house, which is exactly why the survey comes first.

If you want the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, available to homes in England and Wales (Energy Saving Trust, 2026), the grant comes through our MCS-certified partner, who quotes, installs and applies on your behalf. You must own the property and be replacing a fossil fuel or electric system (GOV.UK, 2026). The grant value is taken off what you pay and shown on your quotation and invoice (GOV.UK, 2026). If you do not need the grant, we install the heat pump ourselves.

You can also call in and see us at our Walsall premises to talk it through, with no pressure to decide. To understand the full process, see our Heat Pump Surveys page.

Key takeaways

The survey starts with questions about how you use your home, then a room-by-room check.
The surveyor looks at the outdoor unit position, cylinder space, radiators, pipework and electrics.
Radiator upgrades and other extras should be itemised in your written quote.
Grant jobs go through our MCS-certified partner, who installs and applies for you.
The survey is free and carries no obligation.