Technical Survey
Book a visit by one of our MCS Certified designers
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The technical survey is the sixth stage of our heat pump design and installation process, and can be one of two options shown below.
This is a crucial step in the design process because we must demonstrate with full heat loss calculations that our initial design proposal is correct and that the heat pump chosen is well matched to the heat loss of the building.
A heat pump that’s too small won’t keep your home warm enough in winter, while one that’s too large can lead to higher electricity bills and shorten the lifespan of your system. So it’s vitally important we get this right!
The technical survey overview
For clarity, we have separated the two options below to explain what’s included in each service.
Option 1: Technical Survey combined with MCS Heat Loss Calculations
In most cases, Option 1: Technical Survey combined with MCS Heat Loss Calculations is used for retrofitting a heat pump or solar system into a building that already has an existing heating system and has been lived in.
These are effectively conversions, which cannot be priced accurately without a survey, as many design factors are affected by what’s already in place.
This service provides a fixed price to any location in our coverage area to visit your property and assess suitability for a heat pump or solar panels in greater detail.
Building on the information gathered from the discovery call, we focus on selecting the right heat pump manufacturer that aligns with the design concept from our affiliated partners. This may or may not match our initial proposal.
Confirming the heat pump location to ensure all manufacturer clearance requirements are met.
Accurately sizing the pipework to achieve the correct flow rate, ensuring the heat pump operates optimally.
Ensuring the installation falls under permitted development rights, allowing us to self-certify through MCS without requiring planning permission.
Identifying the best location for the hot water cylinder, considering weight, servicing clearances, and the required hot water capacity based on the property’s size and occupancy.
Conduct a sound power level calculation to confirm that the heat pump is positioned far enough from habitable rooms to meet the noise limits set out in the MCS Document 020.
Performing an electrical validation check to ensure your current consumer unit and main fuse can handle the additional load from the heat pump.
Planning pipe and cable routes and discussing them with you in detail to avoid any surprises on installation day.
Carrying out full MCS-compliant heat loss calculations to determine the ideal heat pump size and the specific power required for each room. This ensures a comfortable indoor temperature of 21°C, even in freezing conditions. (MCS requires heating systems to be designed for an outdoor temperature of -2°C in the South East of England.) This standard is set by MCS to protect consumers from high electricity bills and ensure heat pumps perform efficiently in cold weather. (MIS 3005 PDF document).
Lastly, we assess all health and safety implications of installing your heat pump, including asbestos awareness, working at height, and manual handling, to ensure the safety of our staff and all third parties involved.
All design information gathered, including the full heat loss calculations, belongs to you, without any obligation to proceed with the installation after this visit.
Option 2: MCS Heat Loss Calculations without a Site Survey
The second Option 2: MCS Heat Loss Calculations without a Site Survey, is a much simpler approach that doesn’t require a survey visit to design the system accurately, as all the necessary heat loss information, such as insulation types and wall construction, can be obtained from architectural drawings and accompanying documents.
Our Heat Loss Calculation service provides an essential foundation for a correctly sized, efficient, and MCS-compliant heat pump system. This service is ideal for new builds or any property where precise design is key.
Using scaled architectural drawings and any available property data, we calculate individual room requirements in line with MIS 3001 standards to ensure accurate sizing and maximum performance.
Your property’s total annual heating demand (in kilowatt-hours) is extrapolated from our detailed heat loss assessment.
A carefully selected heat pump and cylinder combination that matches the unique characteristics of your property for optimal efficiency and performance.
Provides detailed guidance on the correct sizing of radiators and underfloor heating circuits to maintain comfort at your chosen internal design temperature, even at an outside temperature of -2°C.
A projection of your system’s new annual running costs and the electrical energy usage needed (in kWh) against your current or previous heating source running costs. (Please note: Savings may vary depending on future energy prices.)
An estimation of CO₂ savings compared to a conventional gas or oil heating system, helping quantify the environmental benefit of your new system.
A calculated sound output level to assist in qualifying for installation under permitted development rights, where applicable.
We compile all the relevant documents into an easy-to-navigate proposal, including PDFs of all calculations, system specifications, and recommendations, so you can make a fully informed decision.
Once we understand a bit more, we will guide you towards either a remote consultation, the heat pump wizard or straight to an on-site technical survey. The first call is all about gathering as much information as possible for us to work with.
It’s designed to help us gather as much information as possible about your circumstances and assist you in bringing your renewable energy ideas to life.
The £7,500 contribution from Ofgem towards your new air source heat pump installation can make a massive difference to your investment, and sometimes, it can be a deal-breaker.
This will be emailed with datasheets and brochures relating to the chosen products.
They’ll answer any further questions and discuss any adjustments needed to better align it with your budget or specifications.
One of our MCS designers will visit your home for a more detailed inspection and refine our initial quotation. A technical survey will not be required for properties in planning and not built since all the information will be obtained via the architectural drawings.
At this stage, the heat pump size may also be adjusted if the provisional size chosen does not align with the building’s heat loss requirements.
This pack contains all the necessary MCS-compliant documents to review and sign. At this stage, we hope you feel confident in signing your contract with Cloverleaf and scheduling your project. See our example of the proposal pack for reference.
They will minimise disruption and keep you informed throughout the project, ensuring your expectations are met as we progress. We are ready to help you move away from fossil fuels!
We are always here to support you. Whether you need help over the phone or via video call, we’re happy to guide you as you get to grips with your new technology. You can even book a heat pump service directly through our website, giving you peace of mind that your new system will run at optimal performance in the future.
Online Booking
Book your survey online with ease. Fill out the booking form with your details and pay securely through our card processor Square. Our team will then verify your details and contact you as per your instructions to schedule a mutual booking date with our engineer. If you need help before the team call you, simply get in touch or call us.
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1) Book and pay for an on-site survey
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2) Receive an in-depth expert analysis