A heat loss survey is a room-by-room assessment that calculates how much heat your home loses on a cold day, which tells you what size of heat pump you need and whether your radiators can deliver enough warmth. It follows the MCS method, the standard used for heat pump design across the UK, and it is the foundation for every other decision in your quote.
Design outdoor temperatures for Lincolnshire and the wider Lincolnshire come from local cold-weather data, not a national average. A surveyor visits your home to measure each room, window and wall before any heat pump is sized. For Lincolnshire homes with extensions or loft conversions, each part of the house is assessed on its own construction.
Who it suits
- Self-builders and architects who need emitter and system sizes early
- Homes with an existing heat pump that seems undersized or expensive to run
- Landlords comparing properties before deciding where to switch first
- Anyone getting a heat pump quote, as the first step
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 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.
Heat loss survey prices in Lincolnshire
Here are typical prices for heat loss surveys in Lincolnshire, installed and including VAT. Use the guide price tool for a figure based on your home, then a survey confirms it in writing.
| Survey | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Home survey and heat loss calculation with an installation quote | Free |
| Stand-alone heat loss survey and report | £150–£400 |
Inc VAT. A stand-alone report is for homeowners who want the design without an installation quote.
Towns we cover in Lincolnshire
We cover 14 towns in Lincolnshire for heat loss surveys. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | LN6 | Gainsborough | 7 h 31 min |
| Grimsby | DN32 | Cleethorpes | 7 h 27 min |
| Scunthorpe | DN16 | Brough | 7 h 27 min |
| Boston | PE21 | Spalding | 7 h 34 min |
| Grantham | NG31 | Sleaford | 7 h 35 min |
| Cleethorpes | DN35 | Grimsby | 7 h 27 min |
| Spalding | PE11 | Bourne | 7 h 36 min |
| Skegness | PE25 | Boston | 7 h 32 min |
| Stamford | PE9 | Bourne | 7 h 37 min |
| Gainsborough | DN21 | Retford | 7 h 29 min |
| Louth | LN11 | Horncastle | 7 h 29 min |
| Sleaford | NG34 | Grantham | 7 h 34 min |
| Bourne | PE10 | Stamford | 7 h 36 min |
| Horncastle | LN9 | Louth | 7 h 31 min |
Heat loss surveys questions
Will the survey check noise from the outdoor unit?
Yes. The surveyor identifies possible positions for the outdoor unit and carries out the MCS noise assessment, which estimates the sound level at the nearest neighbouring window from the unit's sound power level, distance and any barriers. In England, meeting the MCS planning standards is one of the conditions for permitted development. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules, which we check.
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.
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.
Is the heat loss survey free?
Yes, for installation enquiries the home survey and heat loss calculation are free, and the results form the basis of your written quote. If you only want the calculation and report, for example for building plans or comparing quotes, a stand-alone heat loss survey has a guide price of £150–£400, including VAT. We confirm which applies when you book.