UK HEATING UPGRADES EXPLAINED PLAINLY
Straight answers on heat pumps, grants and home heating.
Independent, honest guides for UK homeowners weighing up their next heating system. Start where it fits you:
Just exploring
New to heat pumps?
Start with the plain-English basics before you decide anything.
Read the beginner’s guide Comparing optionsHeat pump or boiler?
See the real costs and savings side by side before you commit.
Compare heat pumps and boilers Ready to fund itWhich grant applies to you?
BUS, ECO4 and the Warm Homes Plan, compared so you don’t have to guess.
Check your grant optionsStart with our core guides
View all guides →
Heat Pumps
Best UK Heat Pump Brands Compared (2026)
Vaillant, Daikin, Mitsubishi and more, judged on reliability and running cost.
Read the guide GrantsWhich UK Heating Grant Applies to You?
BUS vs ECO4 vs the Warm Homes Plan, compared with a decision flow.
Read the guide Hot WaterBest Hot Water Cylinders for Heat Pump Systems
Why your existing cylinder probably won’t work, and what will.
Read the guide Heating ControlsSmart Controls: Heat Pumps vs Boiler Systems
Why the same smart thermostat performs differently on each system.
Read the guideCould you get up to £7,500 towards a heat pump?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is still running in 2026. Two minutes tells you if you qualify.
Latest from the blog
View all posts →- Why Aren’t More UK Homeowners Getting Heat Pumps? The Honest PictureAlong with my partners, we have completed many heat pump installations in the last fifteen years without complaint. Although these are at the more premium level of products, I have seen endless negative reports on social media about them, and … Read more
- Best Electric Heaters to Supplement a Heat Pump (UK)If you’ve got a heat pump, there’s a good chance you’ve still run into one specific problem: a room it doesn’t quite reach well, or a space you only use occasionally, a garden office, a converted loft, or a conservatory … Read more
- Best Electricity Tariffs for Heat Pump Owners (UK, 2026)Rates and tariff details in this guide are illustrative and verified as of August 2026. Tariff structures and rates change frequently; always confirm current pricing directly with the supplier before switching. A heat pump is only as cheap to run … Read more
- Best Biomass Pellet Boilers UK: Who Are They Right For?Biomass boilers have become something of a niche technology in UK domestic heating. As heat pumps have moved into the mainstream and grant support has shifted heavily in their favour, pellet boilers now occupy a narrower (but still genuine) role … Read more
- Smart Heating Controls: What Works Best with Heat Pumps vs Boiler SystemsIf you’ve searched for a smart thermostat, you’ve probably noticed that most buying guides treat all central heating systems the same way. No two systems are the same. A smart control that shaves a genuine amount off a gas boiler’s … Read more
- Best Hot Water Cylinders for Heat Pump Systems UKIntroduction Spend enough time researching heat pumps, and you’ll eventually hit a detail that catches a lot of homeowners off guard: your existing hot water cylinder probably won’t be compatible. Heat pumps run at lower flow temperatures than gas boilers, … Read more




