AOS Blog
What Is a Heat Loss Survey and System Design? A Guide for Residents in Cambridgeshire
When installing a heat pump or upgrading your heating system, it’s crucial to ensure your home is heated efficiently. This is where a heat loss survey and system design come in. These essential steps help determine the correct size and type of heating system for your property, ensuring optimal comfort, energy efficiency, and cost savings.
In this blog, we’ll explain what a heat loss survey is, why it’s important, and how it plays a role in designing an efficient heating system in Cambridgeshire.
What Is a Heat Loss Survey?
A heat loss survey is an assessment that calculates how much heat a property loses through its walls, floors, roof, windows, and doors. It helps determine the heating demand of a home and ensures that the right size heat pump or heating system is installed.
Why Is a Heat Loss Survey Important?
✔️ Correctly Sizes Your Heating System – Avoids installing a system that is too large (wasting energy) or too small (struggling to heat your home).
✔️ Improves Energy Efficiency – Reduces heat loss and ensures your system runs optimally.
✔️ Lowers Heating Costs – Prevents unnecessary energy consumption, reducing your bills.
✔️ Ensures Consistent Comfort – Helps maintain a steady, comfortable indoor temperature.
✔️ Meets Industry Standards – Required for heat pump installations under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
What Happens During a Heat Loss Survey?
A professional heat pump installer will carry out the survey, considering the following:
1. Property Size & Layout
o The total floor area, number of rooms, and ceiling heights affect how much heating is needed.
2. Insulation Levels
o Loft, wall, and floor insulation are assessed to measure how well the home retains heat.
3. Window & Door Efficiency
o Single, double, or triple glazing affects heat retention. Draughty windows can increase heat loss.
4. Air Leakage & Ventilation
o Gaps around doors, windows, and chimneys can allow heat to escape.
5. External Climate & Orientation
o Local weather conditions and the direction your home faces impact how much heating is required.
6. Current Heating System
o The efficiency of your existing heating system (e.g., radiators, underfloor heating) is assessed.
Once all these factors are measured, the installer calculates the heat loss in watts per square metre (W/m²) for each room. This determines the total heat demand of your property.
What Is System Design?
After completing a heat loss survey, the next step is system design - creating a tailored heating solution that meets your home’s specific needs.
Key Factors in Heat Pump System Design
✔️ Selecting the Right Heat Pump Size
• The heat pump must be powerful enough to replace lost heat without wasting energy.
• Oversized systems cycle on and off too frequently, while undersized systems struggle to maintain warmth.
✔️ Choosing the Best Heat Emitters
• Heat pumps work best with underfloor heating or larger radiators to distribute heat efficiently.
• If upgrading from a traditional boiler, new radiators may be needed.
✔️ Flow Temperature Settings
• Lower flow temperatures (35-45°C) improve heat pump efficiency compared to traditional high-temperature boilers (60-80°C).
✔️ Zoning & Thermostat Controls
• Large homes may benefit from zoned heating, where different areas have independent temperature control.
• Smart thermostats can further enhance efficiency.
✔️ Hot Water Demand
• If a heat pump also provides hot water, the system design includes an appropriately sized hot water cylinder.
Why Is Heat Loss Survey & System Design Essential for Heat Pump Installation?
✅ Ensures the System Runs Efficiently – Reduces running costs and maximises performance.
✅ Prevents Overspending – Installing the wrong-sized system can lead to unnecessary expenses.
✅ Meets Building Regulations & MCS Standards – A heat loss calculation is required for an MCS-certified heat pump installation.
✅ Guarantees Comfort in Every Room – Helps avoid cold spots and ensures even heating throughout the home.
Book a Heat Loss Survey with AOS Energy Efficient Heating Systems
A professional heat loss survey and system design are essential for a successful heat pump installation in Cambridgeshire. At AOS Energy Efficient Heating Systems, we provide expert assessments to ensure your heating system is correctly sized and tailored to your home’s needs.
Contact us today for a consultation and take the first step towards a more energy-efficient home!
