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.
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.
Recent MCS investigations highlight the risks when shortcuts are taken. Some certified installers signed off on work they didn’t complete, submitting government funding claims on behalf of non-certified companies. This puts both homeowners and installers at risk, damages the reputation of heat pumps, and can lead to rejected applications or unsafe systems.
The BBC has reported that the Climate Change Committee wants half of UK homes to have heat pumps by 2040 to help meet net zero targets. With record heat pump sales in 2024 and government grants like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the shift to low-carbon heating is already underway. But what does this mean for homeowners and the future of home heating?
As we all know, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a fantastic government initiative designed to help homeowners in England and Wales make the switch to eco-friendly heating systems. With grants of up to £7,500, it's a real game-changer when it comes to installing heat pumps!
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.
