- Area
- Cornwall
- Postcode district
- TR18
- Nation
- England
- Guide price
- Priced after survey
- Survey
- Free for installation enquiries
Heat loss survey for Penzance homes
The question for a Penzance home is rarely whether a heat pump can work, but what needs to change to make it work well: radiator sizes, pipework, controls and where the unit goes.
Design outdoor temperatures for Penzance and the wider Cornwall come from local cold-weather data, not a national average. Homeowners in Penzance 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.
- Homes with an existing heat pump that seems undersized or expensive to run
- Self-builders and architects who need emitter and system sizes early
- Anyone getting a heat pump quote, as the first step
What's included
- Radiator schedule with any upgrades needed for each room
- Hot water cylinder sizing for your household
- Written results in your quote, or a stand-alone report if you order one
- Room-by-room heat loss calculation using the MCS method
- Recommended heat pump size and design flow temperature
A surveyor visits your Penzance home to measure each room, window and wall before any heat pump is sized.
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 Penzance 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.
Guide prices for heat loss surveys in Penzance
These are guide prices for Cornwall, installed and including VAT. Your final price is fixed in a written quote after the survey and depends on the heat loss of the house, the radiators that need changing and where the unit goes.
| 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 Penzance's winters
Penzance sees roughly 8 hours 03 minutes of daylight in late December against 16 hours 23 minutes in June. Milder southern winters suit heat pumps well, though the system is still sized for a cold snap rather than an average day.
How installation works in Penzance
- Tell us about your home: postcode, property type and current heating.
- We book a survey in Penzance; the surveyor measures rooms, windows and radiators and looks at cylinder space.
- The design and quote arrive in writing, including radiator changes and the outdoor unit position.
- On installation days the old system is removed and the new one fitted and filled.
- We commission the heat pump, show you the controls and register the installation.
Heat loss surveys in Penzance: questions
Can you service a heat pump in Penzance that someone else installed?
Yes. We arrange servicing and repairs for most air source heat pumps in Penzance, whoever fitted them. Tell us the make and model when you book.
Where would the outdoor unit go on a Penzance house?
Usually at the side or rear, on a level base with space around it for airflow and servicing, away from bedroom windows where possible. The surveyor checks positions at your Penzance home.
How soon can you survey a home in Penzance?
Survey dates depend on how busy installers are in Cornwall. We offer the next available dates when you enquire and confirm them in writing.
How long does a heat loss survey take?
A typical survey takes 1–3 hours on site, depending on the size and complexity of the home. Larger or older houses with mixed construction, extensions or many rooms take longer. The calculations and design are completed afterwards, and the results are included in your quote or stand-alone report.
What is a design flow temperature?
The design flow temperature is the temperature of the water sent to your radiators or underfloor heating on the coldest design day. Heat pumps are more efficient at lower flow temperatures, typically around 35–50°C. Choosing it is a balance: a lower figure improves efficiency but can mean larger radiators in some rooms, so the design shows both.