Insidethis issue 5 NOVEMBER 2026 VOLUME 64 ISSUE 9 Editor’s
Viewpoint by Chris Jones
More mixed signals
There’s no getting away from the fact that the fortunes of the UK heat pump market are more dependent on government policies and funding than natural market forces. It’s a state of aff airs which means that changes in direction can have a signifi cant impact on livelihoods, with much of the current investment from manufacturers and installation companies partly driven by the grants available via the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The reduction in funding might not have been as dramatic as some had feared, but there’s no doubt that it sends out the wrong signals to those that were confi dent in the government’s determination to hit its heat pump installation targets. The scheme itself has not been without its critics, with a
generous amount of money being made available to everyone who wants to switch over to a heat pump – whether they already have a healthy bank balance or not. At a time when many households are struggling to pay their energy bills, it does seem incongruous to hand over thousands of pounds to some wealthy homeowners who may well have more than enough funds to pay for the whole project themselves. Some have also suggested that the cost of such an installation is higher than it would be otherwise, with companies taking the opportunity to push up their prices in the knowledge that up to £9,000 will be taken off the fi nal bill. That said, the relatively high cost of heat pumps is clearly a
stumbling block for many would-be purchasers, and the government’s Warm Homes Loan Scheme, announced the day before the budget, off ers another way to address the issue and one that should prove less of a burden on UK taxpayers. Previous similar loan schemes have failed to entice a sizeable number of lenders and consumers, but time will tell whether such a move can encourage the ultimate goal of a self- sustaining heat pump sector.
Special Features Heat
18 Pumps
Some of the key things heating engineers need to consider before fi tting a heat pump system
Regulars
06 News Review 10 Energy Matters 10 Industry Viewpoint 12 Energy Saving Awards 13 Gadgets & Tools 14 Horror Show 14 People on the Move 15 Business Matters 16 Training Update
Products in Action
17 Merchant News 28 Products in Action 38 Product News
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Contributors Cameron Beech
Heat Pumps 20
Preparing homes for an integrated energy system, linking heat pumps with solar and battery storage
Look out for next month’s issue
Michael Bennett Taps & Showers
29
Exploring some of the practical benefi ts of digital showers for both installers and consumers
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Annabel Bianchi Water & System Treatment
35
Why protection and maintenance should be considered an essential part of any heat pump investment
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Highlighting the latest developments in digital showers and connected technology
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Addressing some of the steps that need to be taken to ensure heat pump systems are fully protected
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