Smart Meter, Solar or Heat Pump? Get the Consumer Unit Checked First

More London homes are adding solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps and car chargers. Each of these is a big new load or source of power connected to an electrical installation that may be decades old. Before the installer arrives, it pays to know whether your consumer unit, earthing and wiring are ready for it.

Why the consumer unit matters

The consumer unit is where every circuit in the home is protected. Solar, batteries, heat pumps and EV chargers all need their own dedicated circuit with the right protection, and most need RCD protection of a particular type. An older fuse board may have no spare ways, no suitable RCD, or a plastic enclosure in a place where current rules expect a metal one. Installers often find this on the day, which leads to delays or a second visit.

What gets checked first

• Spare capacity in the board. Whether there is room for a new protective device, or whether the board needs replacing.
• Earthing. Heat pumps and chargers need a sound earth, and EV chargers have extra rules about the type of earthing system.
• Main bonding. Bonding to gas and water pipes must be present and the right size.
• The supply. The size of the main fuse and the maximum demand of the house once the new equipment is running.
• Existing faults. Any C1 or C2 faults on the installation should be put right before new work is added to it.

Solar panels and batteries

Solar inverters and battery systems feed power back into the installation, so the protection and isolation arrangements need to be right. The installer usually notifies the network operator, and a board in good order makes that paperwork simpler.

Heat pumps

An air source heat pump is one of the largest loads a home can have. Together with an electric shower and a car charger it can push a small supply close to its limit, so a load check before the install is sensible.

Smart meters

A smart meter installation is done by your energy supplier, not your electrician, but the fitter will sometimes refuse to continue if the meter tails, cut out or main fuse look damaged or unsafe. An EICR before the appointment can spot those problems early.

An EICR first saves money later

A condition report tests every existing circuit and records exactly what state the installation is in, so any upgrade can be planned and quoted properly before the new equipment arrives. If the board needs replacing, our guide to what changes the price of a fuse board replacement explains the main factors.

Energy North Ltd carries out EICR inspections, consumer unit upgrades and EV charger installation across North, East and West London. Our City & Guilds certified electricians can usually attend within 48 hours, and certificates are emailed the same day.