Heat Pump Guides for UK Homeowners

Everything you need to know about heat pumps in the UK. From grant eligibility to installer selection.

Best Heat Pumps UK 2026 - Top Models Reviewed
New
Independent review of the top 5 heat pump models. Vaillant aroTHERM plus, Mitsubishi Ecodan, Daikin Altherma 3, Samsung EHS and Panasonic Aquarea compared.
BUS Grant Guide 2026
Most important
Complete guide to the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Who qualifies, how to apply, and what to watch out for.
How to Find a Good MCS Installer
What MCS certification means, how to verify it, and the 5 questions you must ask before signing any contract.
Air Source Heat Pumps Explained
How air source heat pumps work, what they cost, which homes are suitable, and the best brands for UK conditions.
Ground Source Heat Pumps Explained
Ground source vs air source, installation requirements, costs and when the higher upfront price is justified.
Heat Pump Costs in 2026
Full breakdown of heat pump installation costs, running costs, maintenance and the true cost after the BUS grant.
Is My Home Suitable for a Heat Pump?
The honest guide to home suitability. Insulation requirements, space needed, and what makes a good heat pump home.
Heat Pump vs Gas Boiler - Full Comparison
Is a heat pump really better than a new gas boiler? Honest comparison of costs, running costs, suitability and future-proofing.
EPC Ratings and Heat Pumps
What EPC rating do you need for the BUS grant? How to get an EPC, what ratings mean for heat pump suitability, and how to improve yours.
Heat Pump Payback Period - The Honest Numbers
New
How long does a heat pump take to pay back? Worked examples for gas, oil and LPG homes. Why electricity tariff is the biggest variable.
Heat Pump Noise & Planning Permission
New
Do you need planning permission? The 37 dB MCS 020 noise limit, permitted development conditions, and the quietest models available.
My Boiler Broke - Boiler or Heat Pump?
Emergency guide
Boiler failed unexpectedly? Honest guide to whether a heat pump is practical right now or whether a new boiler is the pragmatic short-term choice.

Where to start

If you’re new to heat pumps, work through these guides in order. Begin with the BUS grant guide so you know what the £7,500 can do for you. Then check is my home suitable? before spending any more time. Read heat pump costs in 2026 for realistic install and running figures, and the MCS installer guide before you sign anything. Once you understand the fundamentals, browse our brand comparisons.

Who these guides are for

We write for UK owner-occupiers and small landlords in England and Wales who are considering an air-source or ground-source heat pump. Numbers, grant values and planning rules quoted are UK-specific. Scotland runs the Home Energy Scotland (HES) loan scheme rather than the BUS — the BUS grant guide has a section covering the regional differences.

How we keep guides current

Guides are updated as Ofgem price-cap quarters change, as BUS policy updates land, and whenever MCS revises its installation standards. All tariff-dependent numbers currently reference the April 2026 Ofgem price cap (electricity 24.5p/kWh, gas 6.4p/kWh). If you want to run the numbers for your own property, use our heat pump calculators.