Heat pumps for new builds are fast becoming the default choice as Building Regulations tighten and the Future Homes Standard approaches. Here's what developers and self builders need to know about choosing the right system, designing it properly, and how Alto Energy can help.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has changed. From 21 July 2026, eligible off-gas homes in England and Wales heated by oil or LPG could receive a £9,000 grant towards an air source or ground source heat pump. Discover who qualifies, what the changes mean, and how Alto Energy can help homeowners and installers navigate the process.
Can an air source heat pump cool a house? Yes, some systems can provide cooling as well as heating. However, for most UK homes, cooling with an air source heat pump introduces unnecessary complexity, including condensation risks, additional equipment and installation compromises. In this blog post, we explain how heat pump cooling works, why we recommend against it, and the alternative that usually delivers better comfort and value.
Alto Energy has partnered with Mitsubishi Electric as its official MCS umbrella scheme provider. Find out what the partnership means for heat pump installers, why MCS compliance matters more than ever, and how Alto Energy supports installers from design through to certification.
Heat pump sales across Europe rose 17% in early 2026, driven by higher energy prices and supply disruptions. France, Germany and Poland saw strong growth, while Austria declined after subsidy cuts. Around 575,000 units were sold, highlighting a growing shift toward efficient, low-carbon heating solutions despite uneven policy support.
With the UK election out the way and a new government in place, we feel it’s important to explore the potential implications for the heat pump market now that Labour has taken the helm. For plumbers, particularly those considering diversifying into heat pump installations, Labour's anticipated measures could present significant opportunities in the evolving green energy sector.
The UK remains overly dependent on natural gas, according to the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), which provides independent recommendations to the government.
In its recent annual assessment, the NIC highlights the urgent need to reduce reliance on high-cost, high-carbon natural gas and accelerate the adoption of heat pump technology to meet the ambitious net zero targets by 2050. According to the Commission, decarbonising buildings is a critical aspect of this transition and represents the single biggest challenge on the path to net zero.
Last month, the UK government unveiled changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, making it easier for households to install eco-friendly heating solutions like heat pumps. The update involves the removal of insulation prerequisites for heat pump grants, a move designed to simplify installations and reduce costs for households.
In the heat pump market, compliance with industry standards is paramount. One crucial standard is the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), which is specifically designed to ensure the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy technologies like heat pumps. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the risks associated with neglecting MCS compliance, and why plumbers should prioritise installing an MCS certified heat pump.
If you’re a heat pump installer or homeowner, who is looking to install a heat pump, there a few things you should know regarding sound assessments before installing a heat pump at your home. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the purpose of a sound assessment, best practice for ensuring compliance, and the possibility of rules being relaxed.
In 2023, Alto Energy soared to new heights! We expanded our warehouse, revamped our heat pump training room, grew our team and achieved record-breaking heat pump sales. As we enter 2024, we’re excited to see the heat pump industry propel forward, advancing heat pump affordability. The recent announcement from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) regarding increased funding suggests an imminent surge in the heat pump market.
Following the start of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for heat pumps, Alto Energy is excited to launch their new Alto Assured Heat Pump Installer Scheme at this year’s Installer Show at the NEC in Birmingham. The new scheme provides the best way for installers to quickly gain access to the heat pump market and install properly designed and commissioned heat pump systems.
At Alto Energy we always strive for the best possible customer service. We send a survey out to each customer to find our just how we did, including both new heat pump customers and service customers. With more heat pumps commissioned and serviced than ever before, we thought we would share our feedback from last year.
