The government has confirmed a significant uplift in funding for low-carbon heating, doubling the Warm Homes Plan budget to £13.2bn. This renewed commitment will accelerate heat pump adoption across the UK, with direct support for homeowners, housing providers and local authorities.
With solar panels set to become mandatory on all new build homes, the case for pairing them with heat pumps is stronger than ever. Under the government’s Future Homes Standard, new properties must be low-carbon and “net zero ready” — a move that rules out fossil fuel heating. For developers and self-builders, this is a unique opportunity to future-proof homes with efficient, compliant technology that cuts emissions and energy bills. Heat pumps, especially when powered by on-site solar, offer a powerful, cost-effective solution that aligns with both regulation and buyer expectations.
Regular servicing is often overlooked but plays a vital role in keeping air source heat pumps running smoothly. From improved efficiency and reduced running costs to fewer breakdowns in cold weather, the benefits are clear. This blog shares real insights from years in the field, including one costly example where a lack of maintenance led to major system failure. We also explain what’s typically included in a service and how planned maintenance helps extend your system’s lifespan.
Not all MCS umbrella schemes offer the same level of service or accountability. At Alto Energy, we take full ownership of every project we support, from heat loss calculations through to final commissioning. With zero non-conformities in our recent NICEIC audit, our approach proves that doing it right every time delivers results for installers and peace of mind for homeowners.
With solar panels set to become mandatory on all new build homes, the case for pairing them with heat pumps is stronger than ever. Under the government’s Future Homes Standard, new properties must be low-carbon and “net zero ready” — a move that rules out fossil fuel heating. For developers and self-builders, this is a unique opportunity to future-proof homes with efficient, compliant technology that cuts emissions and energy bills. Heat pumps, especially when powered by on-site solar, offer a powerful, cost-effective solution that aligns with both regulation and buyer expectations.
The plumbing and heating industry is on the brink of a significant transformation, as we have been warning for some time. Last week, it was reported by the Independent that gas boilers are likely to be banned in most new build homes by 2027, as part of efforts to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions. This follows the recent closure of the country’s last coal power plant just a few months ago.
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.
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.
