- Area
- Cambridgeshire
- Postcode district
- PE15
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- Priced after survey
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Heat loss survey in March: what to expect
In March, as anywhere in the UK, the heat pumps that perform well are the ones designed around low flow temperatures and sized from a proper heat loss calculation.
For March homes with extensions or loft conversions, each part of the house is assessed on its own construction. Homeowners in March thinking about insulation work can use the survey to see how it would change their heat pump size.
Every heat pump we quote starts with a room-by-room heat loss survey, free with installation enquiries and also available as a stand-alone report.
- Landlords comparing properties before deciding where to switch first
- Anyone getting a heat pump quote, as the first step
- Homes with an existing heat pump that seems undersized or expensive to run
What's included
- Recommended heat pump size and design flow temperature
- Written results in your quote, or a stand-alone report if you order one
- Hot water cylinder sizing for your household
- Radiator schedule with any upgrades needed for each room
- Electrical supply and network operator notes
Design outdoor temperatures for March and the wider Cambridgeshire come from local cold-weather data, not a national average.
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
In England the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source heat pump (£9,000 if it replaces oil or LPG, from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027), and since 28 April 2026 a valid EPC is no longer needed. The grant is applied for by the MCS-certified installer and shown as a deduction on your March quote.
Installing heat pumps is zero-rated for VAT across the UK until 31 March 2027. Since 29 May 2025, permitted development in England allows up to two air source heat pumps on a house, each up to 1.5 m³, with no blanket 1 m boundary rule — the installation must still meet the MCS planning standards, including the noise check. Listed buildings, flats and some conservation-area positions need extra consent, which we check at survey.
What to budget for heat loss surveys in March
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Cambridgeshire, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in March can need quite different radiators and pipework.
| Survey | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Home survey and heat loss calculation with an installation quote | Free |
| Stand-alone heat loss survey and report | £150–£410 |
Inc VAT. A stand-alone report is for homeowners who want the design without an installation quote.
Designing for March's winters
On the shortest day March gets about 7 hours 39 minutes of daylight, with the noon sun around 14° up. The heating season runs from autumn into spring, so a heat pump that is sized correctly and set up with weather compensation does most of its work in steady, cool conditions.
What happens after you enquire in March?
- Start online with a guide price or call us.
- A home survey in March gives us the room-by-room heat loss.
- Your written quote sets out the design, the price and the grant position where you live.
- Installation is booked for dates that suit you; most homes take 2–4 days on site.
- After commissioning you get a handover of the controls and settings, plus the certificates.
Heat loss surveys in March: questions
What size heat pump does a March home need?
It depends on the heat loss, not the postcode. As a rough guide, a 3 bedroom semi often needs 6–9 kW, but the room-by-room survey sets the actual size for your March home.
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump in March?
Often some, not all. Heat pumps run best at lower water temperatures, so rooms with small radiators may need larger ones. The survey of your March home gives a room-by-room list.
How long does a heat pump survey take in March?
A home survey in March usually takes one to two hours. The surveyor measures every heated room, checks windows, walls and radiators, and looks at where the outdoor unit and cylinder can go.
Can I use the heat loss report to get other quotes?
Yes. A stand-alone heat loss report is yours to use, including sharing it with other installers so their quotes are based on the same figures. Comparing quotes like for like makes it easier to see differences in equipment, radiator upgrades and workmanship terms. The report states the assumptions used wherever construction could not be confirmed.
Why can't you size the heat pump from my boiler?
Boilers are often much larger than a home's real heat loss, because they are sized for fast hot water and quick warm-ups. Matching a heat pump to the boiler's output usually means an oversized unit that costs more and switches on and off too often. A room-by-room calculation finds the actual heat demand, which is what the heat pump needs to meet.