Heat battery installation: plan the whole system

Heat batteries connect to your hot-water and electrical systems. Use a qualified installer (the maker can list approved ones) and check what your warranty requires.

The short answer

A good survey covers the heat demand, hot-water pattern, tariff, incoming electrical supply, proposed circuit, pipe routes, structural support, controls and service access. The product is only one part of the installation.

Before the survey

Gather twelve months of energy bills, tariff times, photographs of the cylinder or boiler area, consumer unit and meter, and a short diary of hot-water use. Note any weak water pressure or showers that already disappoint.

During the survey

Ask the installer to explain:

• what the unit will supply and what remains unchanged
• the design demand and sizing assumption
• maximum electrical load and any supply upgrade
• charge schedule and peak-rate fallback
• pipe, valve and condensate routes where relevant
• filled weight and mounting or floor requirements
• isolation, maintenance and emergency operation

Compare complete quotes

An itemised quote should separate the appliance, plumbing, electrical work, controls, removal, commissioning and making good. Confirm whether scaffolding, asbestos checks or network approval are outside the price.

Commissioning matters

Do not accept a working hot tap as the entire handover. Ask the installer to demonstrate the charge schedule, boost mode, fault indicators and safe isolation. Keep the commissioning sheet, product serial number and control passwords.

Live with the controls for a week

Check that the store charges in the intended window and that peak-rate imports are understood. Record one normal day and one busy day before changing settings.

Your next step

Make three columns before requesting quotes: “must do”, “nice to have” and “home constraints”. Give every bidder the same sheet and insist that assumptions are written down.