I'll be honest — a lot of people come to us for bathrooms and plumbing, not heating advice. But what's happening in energy markets at the moment is too relevant to ignore, and I'd rather flag it than not.

The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz — the route that carries around 20% of the world's seaborne energy. UK gas prices have risen sharply as a result, and household bills are expected to follow later this year. This isn't new — we saw exactly the same thing when Russia invaded Ukraine. Every time there's a geopolitical shock, anyone dependent on fossil fuels for their heating feels it. An air source heat pump runs on electricity. That link is broken.

The other thing worth knowing is that the government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is increasing. It currently sits at £7,500 toward the cost of installation. From July 2026, if your home is heated by oil or LPG, that rises to £9,000. The uplift runs until March 2027 and won't be extended — after that it drops back down. If you're on heating oil in particular, that's a meaningful window.

Your installer handles the grant application — you simply pay less upfront. You need to own the property and have a valid EPC, and that's broadly it.

If you want a straight conversation about whether a heat pump makes sense for your home, we're happy to come out and take a look. No pressure — just an honest assessment.

Christine Jennings‍

Hybone Ltd

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