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.
A surveyor visits your home to measure each room, window and wall before any heat pump is sized. The survey in Oxfordshire includes a check of where the outdoor unit could sit and how its sound would reach neighbours. Houses in Oxfordshire built in different eras can need very different heat pump sizes, which is why each is calculated room by room.
Who it suits
- Landlords comparing properties before deciding where to switch first
- Self-builders and architects who need emitter and system sizes early
- Homeowners planning insulation or building work who want to know the effect on heat demand
- 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 Oxfordshire
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Oxfordshire, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Oxfordshire 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 | £160–£420 |
Inc VAT. A stand-alone report is for homeowners who want the design without an installation quote.
Towns we cover in Oxfordshire
We cover 11 towns in Oxfordshire for heat loss surveys. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | OX1 | Abingdon | 7 h 47 min |
| Banbury | OX16 | Brackley | 7 h 44 min |
| Abingdon | OX14 | Didcot | 7 h 48 min |
| Bicester | OX26 | Oxford | 7 h 45 min |
| Didcot | OX11 | Abingdon | 7 h 48 min |
| Witney | OX28 | Oxford | 7 h 47 min |
| Chipping Norton | OX7 | Stow-on-the-Wold | 7 h 45 min |
| Henley-on-Thames | RG9 | Marlow | 7 h 49 min |
| Thame | OX9 | Princes Risborough | 7 h 47 min |
| Wallingford | OX10 | Didcot | 7 h 49 min |
| Wantage | OX12 | Didcot | 7 h 49 min |
Heat loss surveys questions
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.
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.
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.
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.