How to Find a Good Heat Pump Installer: A Homeowner’s Complete Guide

Switching to a heat pump is a big decision. While the technology promises cleaner, more efficient home heating, one factor can make or break the experience: the installer.

Choosing the right heat pump installer is just as important as selecting the right system. A high-quality installation ensures your heat pump runs efficiently, remains reliable, and delivers comfort for years to come. On the other hand, poor installation can lead to underperformance, rising bills, and frustration.

This guide explains how to find a competent installer, what qualifications to look for, and how to protect yourself through the process.

Why the Installer Matters

Unlike traditional gas boiler replacements, installing a heat pump is a more complex job that requires:

• Careful system design and placement

• Room-by-room heat loss calculations

• Compatibility with radiators or underfloor heating

• Attention to long-term efficiency

In short, heat pumps aren’t plug-and-play. You need someone who knows what they’re doing—and who will be there for ongoing support and maintenance.

Where to Start: Qualifications and Accreditation

1. Look for MCS Certification

If you’re receiving any government grant (such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme), your installer must be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

What is MCS?MCS is the UK's official quality assurance standard for low-carbon technologies. It ensures:

• Installers meet technical competence standards

• Products are performance-tested

• Installers follow a proper design and installation process

✅ Check your installer is MCS-certified at www.mcscertified.com

2. Ask About Insurance

Before you hire anyone, ask to see:

• Public Liability Insurance

• Product Liability Insurance

• (Ideally) Professional Indemnity Insurance — important for any design responsibilities

This protects you if something goes wrong, whether during or after installation.

Questions to Ask a Heat Pump Installer

To filter out the pros from the pretenders, ask:

• Have you installed this type of heat pump before?

• Can you provide customer references?

• Do you offer ongoing maintenance and support?

• Can I visit a recent installation or speak to a past customer?

Better yet, use Nesta’s “Visit a Heat Pump” scheme, where heat pump owners open their homes to prospective buyers. Seeing a working system and speaking to a real user is often the best research you can do.

Installation Isn’t Just Fitting a Box

Designing the System Matters Just as Much

A good installer does more than fit the pump—they design the entire heating system, including:

• Heat loss calculations: Each room is assessed for insulation, window area, and ventilation loss.

• Radiator sizing: Ensuring your heat emitters can match the lower flow temperatures of heat pumps.

• Placement: Choosing the optimal location for the external unit and pipe runs.

This level of care is what separates a properly installed heat pump from one that underdelivers.

Watch Out for “Template” Solutions

Some companies price and sell heat pumps based on Google Maps images or postcode averages. This may work for solar panels, but it’s not suitable for heat pumps, which must be tailored to the specific property.

Always insist on:

• A site visit

• A written quote based on measured heat loss

• A clear explanation of options (e.g. air-to-water vs air-to-air, placement, cylinder size, etc.)

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Should You Choose the Installer or the Heat Pump Brand First?

Most homeowners are better off choosing an installer they trust, and letting them recommend the best unit. Different installers specialize in different brands, and familiarity can make a real difference in performance and support.

💡 Tip: Don’t specify a brand the installer doesn’t work with—they may not be trained on it, and you’ll lose the benefit of experience.

Aftercare: This Is a Relationship, Not a One-Off

Unlike old gas boilers, heat pumps often include remote diagnostics. That means your installer can:

• Check your system online

• Detect issues (like blocked filters or setting errors)

• Help you adjust efficiency remotely

A good installer offers a service and maintenance package, like a car dealership would. This relationship matters, especially for systems under warranty or in social housing settings where monitoring can prevent energy waste or underheating.

Beware the “Badge Parade”

Accreditations are helpful—but don’t be dazzled by them. Some badges can be earned with minimal effort. Instead:

• Check references

• Read reviews

• Trust your instincts in conversation

A credible installer will explain your options clearly and take the time to understand your home.

What About the Design Process?

If your project is part of a whole-home retrofit, you may also work with a PAS 2035 assessor. This standard applies to deep retrofits, where energy usage, insulation, and home design are reviewed together.

But for most homeowners, your installer should manage the design, heat loss calculations, product selection, and fitting.

The Future: More Installers Are Coming

The UK is scaling up heat pump deployment dramatically. That means:

• More apprenticeships and training programs

• Younger installers entering the field

• A growing market of 20+ million homes expected to switch by 2050

If you’re an installer or tradesperson reading this—now’s the time to upskill.

Summary: How to Find the Right Heat Pump Installer

✅ Look for MCS certification (mandatory for grants)✅ Check insurance—especially professional indemnity✅ Insist on site visits and proper heat loss calculations✅ Don’t choose purely on price✅ Ask for references and visit past installs if possible✅ Plan for aftercare and service

A heat pump is a 15–20 year investment. A good installer ensures it pays off in comfort, efficiency, and lower carbon emissions.