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Retrofit Assessment vs Heat Pump Plan
You want advice about how to improve your home’s energy performance. Smart!
But don’t make the mistake of buying the wrong home energy advice service. Which one is right for you?
Here’s our in-depth comparison: Retrofit Assessment vs Heat Pump Plan.
The short answer
- If you want to insulate your home, get a retrofit assessment.
- A retrofit assessment won’t help if you want a heat pump.
- A heat pump is the best way to a zero emissions home.
- A Heat Pump Plan is a step-by-step guide to making the switch.
This guide will help you decide which type of home energy advice service is right for you. How they work, what’s involved, the pros and cons.
It’s based on my experience as a professional energy advisor and as a homeowner. As well as developing Electric Owl’s Heat Pump Plans, I’m a qualified Retrofit Assessor and have worked in home energy and retrofit for most of my professional life.
What is a retrofit assessment?
A home retrofit assessment aims to identify ways you can improve your home’s energy efficiency. It's essentially an audit to determine how your home is performing now, and what you could do to use less energy.
A good retrofit assessor will be an expert in building construction and will consider things like the property’s age and condition when making recommendations.
They should be trained and will work to the recognised standard for home retrofit assessments, known by its catchy reference number: PAS 2035.
How does a retrofit assessment work?
A retrofit assessor will visit your home and will survey it thoroughly. They will visually inspect your insulation, windows, doors, and heating system.
They might use specialised testing equipment. A blower door test can indicate how leaky your home is. Thermal imaging cameras can show where warm air is escaping from.
As they go around your home, they will complete a standardised energy calculation, known as RdSAP. It’s the government’s methodology for assessing energy performance. It doesn’t always reflect your actual energy use very well. It has many critics. But, it’s essentially required by PAS2035.
How much does a retrofit assessment cost?
The cost of a retrofit assessment will depend on the size of your home. Prices start from £400 and go up to £1,000 for larger or more complex homes.
Be aware of home retrofit advice services that is much cheaper. The survey will be superficial when it costs around £100. It will only offer generic advice - “switch to LED lights” - and the recommendations might not be technically appropriate for your home.
Pro Tip: Some local authorities are subsidising the cost of home energy advice services. So the price you pay can be lower. For example, Retrofit West is offering £250 towards advice in the West of England area. Both Heat Pump Plans and Retrofit Assessments are available.
How long does a retrofit assessment take?
A retrofit assessment usually takes a few hours. 2 to 3 hours for a typical home but more for a complex or home with historic features. The assessor will send you their report with recommendations within 1 week of the survey.
What’s included in a retrofit assessment?
A good retrofit assessment report should include:
- A detailed report outlining the findings and recommendations.
- Estimated costs and potential energy savings for each recommended upgrade.
- Signposting you to grants and incentives that can help towards cost, like the Great British Insulation Scheme.
- Referral to qualified retrofit company or contractor who can install the insulation.
Who should get a retrofit assessment?
If you want to invest in better insulation then a retrofit assessment could be right for you.
It is a good idea if you are considering making bigger - or multiple - changes to your home’s fabric. The assessor can help you coordinate the work and how they fit together.
It will be invaluable if you are considering insulating your walls. Wall insulation can be risky in some homes. The insulation can increase moisture which can lead to all sorts of problems, including rot. A good retrofit assessor will be able to advise on the suitability of your home.
Improving insulation can make damp problems worse. A good retrofit assessor will include only recommendations that have a low risk of damaging your home. They might also suggest you add mechanical ventilation before you add any insulation.
Who won’t get the advice they need from a retrofit assessment?
You probably don’t need a retrofit assessment if you’re considering simple energy efficiency measures. LED lighting, draught proofing etc. These are DIY projects that you can’t go too far wrong with.
Aside from insulation, a retrofit assessment will typically only offer general advice. If you are interested in clean energy technology or electric heating, like an air source heat pump, then you will be better off seeking out a specialist.
The retrofit assessor will look at your existing heating system. And they may even recommend a heat pump. But, the survey will not capture the right information to help you decide if a heat pump is right for you and your home.
For example, it won’t tell you what size air source heat pump will keep your family warm, which radiators will need to be upgraded, or the suitability of your pipework among other things.
A Heat Pump Plan could be a better alternative and next I describe how it compares to a retrofit assessment.
What is a Heat Pump Plan?
A Heat Pump Plan will help you understand if a heat pump is right for you and your home. Unlike a more general retrofit assessment, it focuses specifically on heat pumps. It aims to answer all your questions. It gives you the practical steps you need to make the switch.
A good retrofit assessor will be an expert in building construction and will consider things like the property’s age and condition when making recommendations.
A great heat pump advisor will know about heating and buildings, sure. You’ll also someone who can explain new technology in a way that’s easy to understand. They need to think about your lifestyle and how you use your home, not just the technical nuts and bolts.
Your Heat Pump Plan should meet MCS certified best practices. It is the recognised standard for heat pumps and installers.
How much is a Heat Pump Plan?
Heat Pump Plans start from £285. The price will increase a bit for bigger homes. It gives the surveyor enough time to inspect your home room-by-room.
Electric Owl will be launching a new kind of Heat Pump Plan soon. It will be cheaper because you help them collect the information about your home. Join the Electric Owl mailing list to get notified.
Some websites offer free online quotes. These can give you an idea of the cost of an air source heat pump in your home. But, as these are really sales tools, take them with a pinch of salt. They are generic and won't account for the specifics of your home. The number of radiators that need to be changed will be a total guess!
Pro Tip: Some local authorities are subsidising the cost of home energy advice services. Electric Owl Heat Pump Plans start at £95 with a Retrofit West voucher, which is available in the West of England. That includes Bristol, Bath & the surrounding area.
How long does a Heat Pump Plan take?
A heat pump survey usually takes only 1-2 hours. It’s focused on your heating system and how your home retains heat so it takes less time than a retrofit assessment.
You get your Heat Pump Plan report within a week. Once you’ve had a chance to read it over, a follow-up consultation gives you a chance to quiz your surveyor and get your questions answered.
What’s included in a Heat Pump Plan?
A good Heat Pump Plan should include:
- An assessment of your home’s suitability for a heat pump. Cost-effective energy improvements that can get your home ready for a heat pump.
- The type type and size of air source heat pump recommended. Any changes to your pipework and hot water cylinder. How your new system will perform and the reductions in your heating bill and carbon emissions you can expect.
- The estimated costs for installation. Your eligibility for the Boiler Upgrade grant and other incentives.
- Practical advice about how the installation will work, what to do next, and an introduction to a recommended installer.
In addition to what is typically included, Electric Owl will also take an extension project into account free of charge.
Who should get a Heat Pump Plan for their home?
A Heat Pump Plan will help you understand whether a heat pump is right for your home. It’s the independent advice in plain English that you won’t get from an installer who is looking to close a sale.
Many installers will charge £400+ for a heat loss survey. The cost quickly becomes a barrier to getting 3 quotes. A Heat Pump Plan means you can easily get great quotes from multiple installers so you can make an informed choice.
At Electric Owl, we find that our customers want a Heat Pump Plan at these 4 struggling moments:
- They would like to incorporate a air source heat pump into a renovation or extension.
- The boiler is giving up. They know it's an opportunity to modernise the heating system.
- They already have solar panels and would love to consume more of the electricity at home.
- They want a zero-emission home. With a heat pump, your home is ready for net zero. It won't need to be upgraded again.
We also include ongoing support with every Heat Pump Plan. That includes an introduction to a recommended installer and help to evaluate your quotes.
Summary
So there you have it.
A retrofit assessment is a great way to learn how you can reduce how much energy it takes to heat your home. But it wont help you understand if a heat pump is right for your home.
But, if your goal is to stop burning fossil fuels altogether, then you really want a heat pump. A Heat Pump Plan gives you clear, actionable advice on how to upgrade your home.
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