Choosing between heat pump installers in Kent comes down to a short list of checks you can run before anyone visits: is the firm MCS certified, which consumer code protects your deposit, will it do a proper room-by-room heat loss survey, and will the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant come off the quote up front. Get those right and most of the horror stories you read about heat pumps never happen. This page sets out the eight checks, what a proper quote should list, and the Kent-specific sources that help you find a firm worth inviting round.
Why the installer matters more than the brand
A heat pump from any major manufacturer will heat a house well if it is sized, piped and set up properly. Most of the complaints about cold rooms and big electricity bills trace back to the design: a unit picked by rule of thumb, radiators left too small, or a flow temperature set high to compensate. That design work is the installer’s job, which is why choosing the firm is the bigger decision.
It also decides whether you get a grant. Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the installer applies to Ofgem on your behalf, and only MCS certified installers can do that. Pick a firm that is not certified and you lose the grant on day one.
The 8 checks before you book a survey
1. MCS certification, checked on the MCS register
Search the firm on the MCS find an installer page and make sure the certification covers heat pumps, not only solar panels. Do not rely on a logo on a van or website. Ofgem’s April 2026 installer guidance says a temporary MCS number cannot be used to apply for a grant, so a firm still waiting for full certification cannot get you the money yet.
2. Membership of RECC or HIES
These are the two consumer codes approved for heat pump work: the Renewable Energy Consumer Code and the HIES scheme. They cover deposit protection, an insurance-backed workmanship warranty and a complaints route. MCS is bringing in its own customer commitment, but Ofgem’s guidance from 28 April 2026 says installers on the new MCS scheme must keep RECC or HIES membership to deliver grant-funded work until further notice. Ask which code they belong to and check it on that code’s own website.
3. A room-by-room heat loss survey
MCS installers have to size the heat pump from a heat loss calculation for each room, not from the size of your old boiler. Expect someone to spend an hour or more measuring rooms, windows and radiators, and asking about insulation. A firm that quotes over the phone from your floor area has not done the work that decides whether the system will be comfortable. For a feel of the numbers, see our page on what size air source heat pump you need.
4. The grant shown as a discount on the quote
Since 28 April 2026 the installer must pass the grant to you as an upfront discount, and it should be shown on the quotation and the invoice. You should never be asked to pay the full price and claim the grant back yourself. Ofgem will contact you to confirm the installer is acting for you, so expect that call or email.
5. A clear design flow temperature
Ask what flow temperature the system is designed to run at, and which radiators will be changed to achieve it. Lower flow temperatures mean better efficiency. If one quote keeps all your radiators and another replaces six, the cheaper quote may simply be running hotter and costing you more each year.
6. A sensible timetable
Once the grant application is in, the installer has 120 days to install and commission the system, according to GOV.UK. A firm that is booked solid for six months may struggle to fit your job inside that window.
7. Who handles the paperwork
In Kent the electricity network is run by UK Power Networks. The installer should register the heat pump with them, usually through the Energy Networks Association connect and notify form, and tell you if an upgrade to your supply is needed. They should also check whether your home sits within permitted development, explained below, and hand you the MCS certificate at the end.
8. Warranty terms in writing
There are two warranties: the manufacturer’s on the unit, which often depends on annual servicing, and the installer’s on the workmanship. Get both lengths and the service conditions in writing before you sign.
Where to find heat pump installers in Kent
Three sources are worth more than a search engine advert:
- The MCS register. Search by postcode to see certified heat pump installers that cover your area, then check each one’s consumer code.
- Kent Trading Standards Checked. Kent County Council’s vetted trader scheme lists firms under categories including Air Source Heat Pump and Ground Source Heat Pumps. Traders on it have been checked by Trading Standards, which is a useful second filter on top of MCS.
- Your boiler engineer. Many Kent heating firms now hold MCS certification as well as Gas Safe registration. A firm that already knows your house and pipework can make for a quicker survey.
Get at least three quotes. Prices vary a lot between firms for what looks like the same job, and the differences usually sit in radiators, cylinders and pipework rather than the heat pump itself.
What heat pump installation costs in Kent
The best guide to real prices is the government’s own Boiler Upgrade Scheme statistics, which record the cost of every grant-funded installation. For 2025/26, the median cost of an air source (air-to-water) heat pump was £13,021 across 30,590 installations in England and Wales, before the grant was taken off. A ground source system was much more, with a median of £26,200.
The current grants, per GOV.UK, are:
- £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump
- An extra £1,500 until March 2027 if your home is heated by oil or LPG and has no mains gas connection, which matters in rural parts of Kent such as the Weald and the Marsh
- £2,500 towards an air-to-air heat pump
- £5,000 towards a biomass boiler, for rural homes off the gas grid
Since 28 April 2026, Ofgem no longer requires a valid EPC to apply, though if your home has one the certificate number must be given. For a fuller breakdown, read our page on air source heat pump costs after the grant.
Help for lower-income households
Several Kent councils have Warm Homes: Local Grant funding, which can pay for insulation, solar panels and air source heat pumps for low-income households in privately owned or rented homes rated EPC D to G, at no cost to the occupant. Canterbury City Council, for example, was awarded £1.5m. Check your own district council’s website, because each one runs its own application process.
Planning permission and noise
Most air source heat pumps on houses in England are permitted development, so you do not need to apply for planning permission. From 29 May 2025 the rule that kept units 1 metre from the boundary was removed, the size limit rose to 1.5 cubic metres, and detached houses can have two units. Noise conditions still apply, and your installer should check them. Listed buildings, flats and some homes in conservation areas need extra care, so ask the installer before you assume it is allowed. The Planning Portal’s heat pump page sets out the rules, and our page on permitted development rights covers the wider picture.
Red flags when comparing quotes
- A price given without a home visit or a heat loss calculation.
- A request for a large deposit with no mention of RECC or HIES protection.
- Pressure to sign the same day to secure a grant or a limited offer. Grants are set by government, not by the installer.
- A quote showing the full price, with the grant to be paid to you later.
- No mention of radiators, hot water cylinder or flow temperature anywhere on the quote.
- Vague answers about who registers the system with UK Power Networks.
If your house is older, our guide on whether heat pumps work in old houses covers the three conditions that decide it. For more on home heating and improvement in Kent, visit Contemporary Structures.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find an MCS certified heat pump installer in Kent?
Use the MCS find an installer search with your postcode, choose heat pumps as the technology, then check the firm is also a member of RECC or HIES. Kent Trading Standards Checked lists vetted firms under Air Source Heat Pump as a second check.
Do I need an MCS installer to get the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant?
Yes. Only MCS certified installers can apply to Ofgem for the grant, and they apply on your behalf. The grant is then taken off your quote and invoice.
How much is the heat pump grant in Kent?
The same as everywhere in England and Wales: £7,500 for an air source or ground source heat pump, plus an extra £1,500 until March 2027 for homes heated by oil or LPG with no mains gas. Air-to-air heat pumps get £2,500.
How many quotes should I get for a heat pump?
At least three, each based on a home visit and a room-by-room heat loss calculation. Compare the design flow temperature and radiator changes, not just the total price.
Do I need planning permission for a heat pump in Kent?
Usually not for a house, as most air source heat pumps are permitted development. Listed buildings, flats and some conservation area homes may need consent, so check before installation.
How long does a heat pump installation take?
The fitting itself is typically a few days. Once the grant application is made, the installer has 120 days to install and commission the system.
