Editorial Policy
UK Heat Pump Guide is an independent consumer information resource. We publish guidance on heat pump costs, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and MCS-certified installation in the UK. This page sets out our editorial standards.
Independence from installers
We are not owned by, controlled by, or paid by any heat pump installer, manufacturer, energy retailer, or government body. We do not run pay-for-placement directory listings. Where our pages link to commercial services (for example, quote-comparison forms), this is disclosed, and the link does not change the editorial assessment.
Accuracy and sourcing
Our cost, grant, and efficiency claims are sourced from primary UK authorities: GOV.UK, OFGEM, MCS, Energy Saving Trust, the Heat Pump Association, and DESNZ statistics. See our methodology page for the full sourcing workflow. Cost ranges are reviewed quarterly. Grant rules are reviewed whenever DESNZ publishes a Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation response or update.
Technical review
All technical content (sizing rules, COP and SCOP figures, refrigerant specifications, noise compliance, hot water cylinder design) is reviewed by an MCS-certified heating engineer before publication. The reviewer's credentials and audit trail are on the Sarah Cooper author page.
What we do not publish
- Clinical or medical advice. If you have respiratory or mobility considerations that affect heating choice, consult a qualified medical professional.
- Individual property surveys. A heat pump installation decision must be backed by an MCS-compliant heat loss calculation (MIS 3005) on your specific property. We do not provide that.
- Financial advice. Whether to finance a heat pump via a loan, savings, or Green Mortgage product is a regulated financial decision. Consult an FCA-authorised adviser.
- Speculation on future grant changes. We report on announced policy and published consultation responses only.
Diversity of sources
We deliberately cite both pro-heat-pump research (EST, HPA, NIC) and balanced or critical sources (Nesta field trial reports, RICS surveyor commentary, Which? consumer reports) so that readers see the full evidence base. We do not write copy that omits inconvenient findings.
Use of anonymous or off-record sources
We rarely use anonymous sourcing in cost or technical guidance. When we do — for example, installer comments on industry pricing pressure — the source's role and reasons for anonymity are stated, and the quote is cross-checked against at least one named source before publication.
Corrections
We correct factual errors promptly. Corrections are dated and appended at the foot of the affected article. Substantive corrections (cost figures, grant rules, technical claims) are flagged in the page metadata as a "modified" date. Email [email protected] to report an error.
Conflicts of interest
No member of the editorial team holds shares in, or directorships of, UK heat pump installers or manufacturers. The site itself does not hold installer affiliations. Where a contributor has a non-editorial industry role (for example, our technical reviewer is also an MCS-certified engineer operating a small installation business), this is disclosed on their author page and they do not write reviews of their direct competitors.