A proper heat pump quotation in Scotland needs a room-by-room heat loss calculation, a stated design flow temperature, an emitter schedule, the hot water arrangement, the MCS certification number of the actual installer, and a clear list of what is excluded. If any of those six are missing, the quotation is not complete and you cannot compare it like for like.
What should be in a heat pump quotation?
Six things, each testable. Apply this to any quotation you receive — ours included. If one is missing, ask why before you commit.
A room-by-room heat loss calculation
Not a floor area, not a rule of thumb, not the size of the old boiler. Without this nothing else on the quotation can be trusted.
The design flow temperature, stated as a number
Not described in words, not a range. The number determines your running cost and which emitters need changing.
An emitter schedule — which radiators stay, which change, and why
Every radiator in every room accounted for. If the quotation does not list them, the price is not finished.
The hot water arrangement — cylinder size and where it goes
A heat pump needs a hot water cylinder. Its size, location and pipework must be specified, not left to chance.
The MCS certification number of the company doing the work
And whether that is the same company whose name is on the quotation. If it is not, you need to know before you sign.
What is excluded — the line most quotations do not have at all
Scaffolding, electrical upgrades, upgrades to pipework, making good after the work. If it is not listed, it is not included.
If a quotation cannot show you the heat loss, it cannot show you the running cost either.
How do I get a heat pump quotation in Scotland?
Three steps, no obligation. You send your details, we assess your property honestly, and you receive a quotation that passes the six-line test.
Send us your details
Fill in the form with your postcode, property type and current monthly bill. It takes under two minutes and there is no obligation.
We assess your property
We look at your property, your current heating system and your insulation. If a heat pump is not the right answer for you, we will say so before we quote.
You receive a complete quotation
A quotation that passes the six-line test: heat loss calculation, flow temperature, emitter schedule, hot water arrangement, MCS certification and exclusions — all in writing.
What comes in your quotation?
Everything on the six-line test, itemised and in writing. No vague language, no missing sections, no surprises after you sign.
- ✓ A room-by-room heat loss calculation carried out by an MCS-certified installer
- ✓ A stated design flow temperature for the coldest day
- ✓ A full emitter schedule — which radiators stay, which change, and why
- ✓ The hot water cylinder specification, including size and location
- ✓ The MCS certification number of the company carrying out the installation
- ✓ A clear list of what is excluded — scaffolding, electrical upgrades, making good
- ✓ An itemised price breakdown, not a single lump-sum figure
- ✓ An honest assessment of whether a heat pump is the right choice for your property
Should you not bother?
If your house is not insulated to a reasonable standard, no heat pump quotation will give you a happy answer and the honest first job is the fabric. If you are on mains gas with a boiler in good health, the arithmetic is much harder and we will say so.
We would rather tell you this now than after you have spent money on a survey. A quotation that is not honest about your property is not worth the paper it is printed on.
What should I ask before I sign?
Five questions that separate a real quotation from a sales pitch. Ask them of any installer, including us. If you do not get straight answers, walk away.
What is your MCS certification number?
MCS IAA10151, held by Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd, our installation partner. Installation is carried out by our MCS-certified partner, Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd.
Are you a TrustMark registered business?
TrustMark 3559930, held by Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd, the installation partner. The registration is theirs, not ours, and we attribute it accordingly.
Is your guarantee insurance-backed, and does it survive if you cease trading?
Yes. The guarantee is insurance-backed through the MCS installation partner, Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd, and it survives the company ceasing to trade. Ask us to confirm the specific terms in writing on your quotation.
Is scaffolding included, or charged as an extra?
It depends on your property. What matters is that it is stated explicitly in the quotation — included or excluded — so the price you see is the price you pay.
Who actually carries out the installation, and are they the same company whose name is on the certificate?
Installation is carried out by Home Heating Services (Scotland) Ltd, our MCS-certified installation partner. They are the company whose name appears on the MCS certificate.
What else do people ask about heat pump quotations?
What should be in a heat pump quotation?
A heat loss calculation, a stated design flow temperature, an emitter schedule, the hot water arrangement, the installer's MCS number, and a list of what is excluded. Six things, minimum.
These six items are the minimum standard for a quotation that you can compare like for like. If any one is missing, you cannot judge whether the price is fair, whether the system will heat your home, or whether the installer is competent. The six-line test on this page explains each one in detail.
Why does a heat pump quotation need a heat loss calculation?
Without a room-by-room heat loss calculation, the heat pump size is a guess. Every running cost claim and every comfort promise depends on that figure being correct.
A heat loss calculation measures how much heat each room loses on the coldest day of the year. It tells the installer what size heat pump you need and what flow temperature it must run at. Without it, the system may be oversized, undersized, or set to run at a temperature that costs you more than it should. No calculation, no trustworthy price.
What is a design flow temperature and why does it matter?
The design flow temperature is the water temperature sent to your radiators on the coldest day. Lower is more efficient. It must be stated as a number, not words.
Heat pumps run more efficiently at lower flow temperatures. A quotation that says "low flow temperature" without a number is not telling you what you need to know. The number should be specific — for example, 45°C or 50°C — and it should be paired with the heat loss calculation so you can see it is sufficient for your home.
Is MCS certification important for heat pump installation in Scotland?
Yes. MCS is the minimum standard for a competent heat pump installation in Scotland. The MCS number on your quotation must match the company doing the work.
MCS certification means the installer has been assessed against a recognised standard for heat pump design and installation. The MCS number must belong to the company doing the work, not a parent company or a partner. On your quotation, check that the name on the MCS certificate matches the name of the company you are contracting with.
Does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme apply in Scotland?
No. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is England and Wales only and does not apply in Scotland. Any quotation referencing it as a Scottish grant is inaccurate.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government grant scheme available in England and Wales only. It does not apply to properties in Scotland. If an installer references it in a Scottish quotation, that is a red flag — either they do not know the scheme rules, or they are using it to make the price look lower than it is.
What VAT rate applies to heat pump installation in Scotland?
Zero percent VAT on qualifying domestic heat pump installations until 31 March 2027, under HMRC rules. This is a tax change, not a grant, and applies UK-wide.
The zero-rate VAT on domestic heat pump installations was introduced by HMRC and runs until 31 March 2027. It applies to the installation of heat pumps and any ancillary work needed to make the system function. It is a tax reduction, not a grant — the price on your quotation should already reflect it.
Can I get a heat pump if I am on mains gas?
You can, but running cost savings are harder when replacing a working gas boiler. An honest installer will tell you the arithmetic is tighter and may not justify it.
Gas is currently a cheaper fuel per kWh than electricity, and heat pumps use electricity. A heat pump can still save money on running costs because it is more efficient, but the margin is narrower than for homes on oil, LPG, or direct electric heating. The honest answer depends on your property, your boiler, and your bills — and a quotation that does not address this is not being straight with you.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee and does it apply to heat pumps?
The Smart Export Guarantee pays roughly 4p to 25p per kWh for exported electricity, depending on supplier. It applies to solar panels, not heat pumps directly.
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government scheme that requires electricity suppliers to pay small generators for exported renewable electricity. It applies to solar panels and other microgenerators, not to heat pumps, which consume electricity rather than generate it. However, if you are considering solar alongside a heat pump, the SEG is relevant to the overall financial picture.
Ready to get your heat pump quotation?
Fill in the form and we will send you a complete quotation — one that passes the six-line test. No obligation, no sales calls, no pressure.