Applying for the Heat Pump Grant in Bristol — What Happens and When
Last reviewed: 2 October 2026
Your installer does the application, but it helps to know the sequence. Here is the order of events for a Bristol heat pump grant, with realistic timings and the one email you mustn't miss.
The sequence at a glance
| Step | Who | Typical time in Bristol |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Survey and heat loss calculation | Installer | Week 1–2 |
| 2. Quote showing the grant as a deduction | Installer → you | Week 2–3 |
| 3. Planning or listed building consent, if needed | You (installer helps) | Adds 8+ weeks |
| 4. Grant application to Ofgem | Installer | 1 day |
| 5. Confirm Ofgem’s email | You | Within days |
| 6. Voucher issued | Ofgem | Typically a few days to a few weeks |
| 7. Installation and commissioning | Installer | 3–5 days on site |
| 8. Voucher redeemed, final invoice | Installer → you | After commissioning |
Most Bristol homes that need no planning consent go from first survey to a working heat pump in six to ten weeks.
Step 1: survey
An MCS-certified installer visits, measures every room, and calculates how much heat the house loses on a cold day. They also look at your radiators, where a cylinder could go, the electrics, and where the outdoor unit could sit. In Bristol that last point needs care: steep gardens, shared rear lanes and narrow side returns are common, and the unit needs to pass the noise calculation at your neighbour’s nearest window.
The heat loss survey guide explains what a proper survey involves.
Step 2: quote
The quote should name the heat pump model, list radiator and cylinder work, and show the £7,500 grant (or £9,000 for oil and LPG homes from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027) as a deduction. Check it is from an installer certified under MCS: you can search the MCS register by company name.
Agreeing the quote gives the installer permission to apply on your behalf.
Step 3: consent, if your home needs it
Many Bristol homes need no planning permission — a rear or side unit is usually permitted development. You need consent if:
- the home is listed (listed building consent for any external work), or
- it’s in one of Bristol’s 33 conservation areas and the only sensible place for the unit faces the road.
Get consent before step 4. An air source heat pump voucher is valid for a limited period once issued, and Bristol City Council’s planning decisions typically take around eight weeks. Starting the clock early risks the voucher lapsing.
Step 4: the application
The installer submits the application to Ofgem online. It includes your details, the property address, the heating system being replaced, the proposed heat pump and the quoted price. Since 28 April 2026, an Energy Performance Certificate is no longer required.
Step 5: confirm Ofgem’s email
This is the only step that depends on you. Ofgem emails the property owner to confirm that you agreed to the installer applying. Reply within the deadline in the email. If you don’t, the application can be withdrawn and the installer has to start again.
Check your spam folder in the days after you agree the quote. If you’re a landlord, make sure the installer has your email address, not your tenant’s.
Step 6: voucher
Once Ofgem is satisfied, it issues a voucher to the installer. The voucher is the guarantee that the grant will be paid when the job is finished. Ask your installer to confirm the voucher has been issued before you pay any deposit that assumes the grant.
Step 7: installation
A typical Bristol installation takes three to five days. The outdoor unit goes on its base, pipework runs to the cylinder, radiators are swapped, the electrics are connected, and National Grid Electricity Distribution — the network operator for the South West — is notified. The installer then commissions the system and registers it with MCS. The installation process guide walks through each day.
Step 8: redemption and final bill
After commissioning, the installer redeems the voucher with Ofgem and sends you the final invoice with the grant deducted. You keep the MCS certificate: you’ll need it for your home insurance, warranty and any future sale.
If something goes wrong
- The voucher is about to expire. Ask the installer whether an extension is possible before it lapses.
- The installer loses MCS certification mid-job. The grant can’t be paid through a company that isn’t certified. Check certification at the quote stage and again before installation.
- You change installer. A new application is usually needed.
For the rules on who qualifies, see the eligibility guide.
See what a heat pump would look like in your Bristol home
The mechanism is the same in every UK home; the design is specific to yours. Our team carries out a free in-home survey including a full room-by-room heat-loss calculation, identifies the system size and configuration that fits your property, and provides a written quote with the £7,500 BUS grant already deducted.
You'll see the actual figure you'd pay — not an estimate — and the projected efficiency for your specific install.