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 new MCS standards have raised the bar for MCS umbrella schemes. Find out how Alto Energy achieved certification under the redeveloped MCS scheme with zero non-conformities and what it means for installers looking for a trusted compliance partner.
Can you get an MCS certificate for a heat pump after installation? Unfortunately, no. An MCS certification must be issued at the time of installation by a certified installer. For housebuilders and developers, planning for MCS from the start ensures compliance with Building Regulations, improves SAP and EPC ratings, supports warranties, and provides homeowners with reliable post-installation support. Learn how to achieve full MCS compliance while using your existing plumbing team.
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!
