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.
This week, the UK's last coal power station closed, signalling that the country’s energy landscape is undergoing a massive transformation. For over 200 years, coal was king, powering industry and homes alike. But today, renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydro are rapidly replacing fossil fuels in the national grid. With that change comes a new challenge—and opportunity—for those of us in the heating and plumbing industry.
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.
With 2023 nearing an end and Christmas on the horizon, we thought now would be the perfect time to thank our customers and installers, who have continued to spread the word about our services. We would also like to thank our employees, who have been committed to delivering outstanding customer service throughout the year.
Join us from October 4th to 8th as Alto Energy exhibits at Grand Designs Live, held at the NEC in Birmingham! We’ll be exhibiting at stand Z62, where you can discover more about our range of products and services, including air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, and our range of underfloor heating.
Yesterday Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a raft of policy changes regarding the UK’s approach to achieving net zero. The majority of the announcement related to pushing back the timeframes for bans on fossil fuel vehicles and boilers. However, the Prime Minister also announced a very welcome boost to the heat pump sector, with the news that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant will be increasing to £7,500 for all technologies.
