PBT Installations

09/11/2026

"Can my heat pump run on my own solar?"

Yes, when the system is designed that way. Sun in the middle of the day, battery in the evening, cheap tariff overnight. All run from one app.

0% VAT on heat pumps, solar and batteries ends 31 March 2027, so survey slots before then matter.

https://pbtinstallations.co.uk/2026/11/09/solar-battery-and-heat-pump-working-together/

05/11/2026

Good news if you're thinking about a heat pump! 🏡

The Government has just boosted Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding to £520 million for this year, up from the original £400 million budget. That means grants should keep being available, so you don't need to rush or worry about missing out.

What you could get:
✅ £7,500 off an air or ground source heat pump
✅ £9,000 if you're moving away from oil or LPG (until 31 March 2027)
✅ £5,000 off a biomass boiler
✅ £2,500 off an air-to-air heat pump

You don't apply yourself. We handle the whole application for you, and the grant comes straight off your quote.

Read the full update here 👉 https://pbtinstallations.co.uk/2026/11/05/boiler-upgrade-scheme-520m/

Want to know if your home qualifies? Get in touch for a free survey.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been boosted to £520m for 2026/27. Find out what it means for your £7,500 heat pump grant and how to apply.

28/10/2026

Good news from today's Budget: the heat pump grant is staying.

Despite reports it could be cut, the Chancellor didn't announce any change to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. That means:

✔ £7,500 off an air source or ground source heat pump
✔ £9,000 if you're replacing oil or LPG heating, until 31 March 2027
✔ 0% VAT on heat pumps, solar and batteries, also until 31 March 2027

That's especially good news for the many homes across the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean that rely on oil or LPG.

We've put together what the Budget means for Gloucestershire homes, including the new Warm Homes Loan and the plan to scrap gas standing charges:
👉 https://pbtinstallations.co.uk/2026/10/28/heat-pump-grant-budget-gloucestershire/

Thinking about a heat pump? With both deadlines in March 2027, now's a good time to book a free survey. Call 01242 323923 or message us.

The heat pump grant is unchanged after the Autumn Budget 2026. What it means for Gloucestershire homes, plus the Warm Homes Loan and gas standing charges.

19/10/2026

Been told you’ll need to rip out all your pipes to get a heat pump? 🤔

We hear this all the time from Cotswold homeowners, especially in older stone cottages with thin 10mm “microbore” pipework. The worry is understandable. Nobody wants their flagstones lifted, their old oak boards pulled up or their lime plaster chased out.

The good news is that in most homes, those pipes can stay. 🏡

The trick is designing the heat pump to run low and slow. Instead of short blasts of very hot water, it gives gentle, steady warmth all day. Each radiator only needs a modest amount of heat, which 10mm pipe can usually carry. Thick Cotswold stone walls actually love this kind of heating, because they hold onto the warmth.

Every job starts with a proper room-by-room survey. That way we only suggest changes where they’re genuinely needed. Sometimes that’s a bigger radiator, and occasionally it’s one pipe run, but it’s rarely the whole house.

We’ve written a full guide explaining how it works 👇
https://pbtinstallations.co.uk/2026/10/19/heat-pump-cotswolds-microbore-pipes/

13/10/2026

Recent news has suggested that ministers are preparing to cut funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to help pay for defence spending.

Read our latest blog post to find out why now may be the best time to move to a heat pump.

Reports say the government plans to cut heat pump grants, and the £9,000 oil/LPG grant and 0% VAT end in March 2027. Here's what it means for Gloucestershire homes.

09/10/2026

We are at the The National Self Build & Renovation Centre today for the October show.

We have Graham from Roth UK, Richard from Stiebel Eltron UK Ltd and Amy from SOLARWATT with us to talk to customers about upcoming build projects.

08/10/2026

Spending the day at the The National Self Build & Renovation Centre ahead of the show tomorrow.

Looking forward to talks from Federation of Master Builders and Nacsba - The National Custom and Self Build Association .

07/10/2026

We're looking forward to supporting our partner PBT Installations at the The The National Self Build & Renovation Centre Autumn Show at the NSBRC in Swindon later this week.

If you're attending, be sure to visit the team on stands TV109 & TV116 to discuss the latest in solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps and integrated home energy solutions for self-build and renovation projects.

On Friday 9 October, you'll also have the opportunity to meet SOLARWATT Area Sales Manager Amie Davis, who will be on the stand throughout the day to discuss how homeowners can maximise self-generation and energy independence.

Then on Saturday 10 October, Peter Toth, Managing Director of PBT Installations, will be taking part in the Question Time Panel: Heat & Energy from 11:30-12:15, sharing insights on the technologies, trends and considerations shaping the future of home energy.

Whether you're planning a new build, major renovation or looking to future-proof your home, stop by TV109 & TV116 and say hello.

Find out more about attending here: https://www.nsbrc.co.uk/whats-on/our-events/the-national-self-build-and-renovation-show/?utm_source=website_seo&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=2026-10-06_nsbrc_autumn

01/10/2026

Still heating your Cotswold home with oil or LPG? 🏡

There's a £9,000 government grant available right now to help you switch to a heat pump. That's £1,500 more than the standard grant, but it only runs until 31 March 2027.

Here's what you need to know:

✅ It's for homes in England and Wales replacing oil or LPG heating
✅ Second homes and rental properties can qualify
✅ There's no income test and you don't need an EPC
✅ We handle the application, and the grant comes straight off your quote
✅ Heat pumps also have 0% VAT until March 2027

No more waiting for the oil tanker, watching fuel prices jump or worrying about your tank in a cold snap.

And yes, heat pumps work in Cotswold stone cottages and barn conversions. The key is a proper survey and a system designed around your home, which is exactly what we do.

📞 Call us on 01242 323923 or read the full guide here 👉

Heating with oil or LPG in the Cotswolds? Get a £9,000 grant towards a heat pump until 31 March 2027. Check if you qualify.

30/09/2026

Energy price cap rises again: what it means for your bills this winter

From 1 October, the energy price cap has gone up by 4%. For a typical household paying by direct debit, that means around £1,723 a year for gas and electricity, about £66 more than last quarter. With the colder months ahead and our heating on for longer, many of us will feel it straight away.

The good news is that there's plenty you can do to take back control. Here's what has changed, why, and the practical steps that can make a real difference to your bills.

Read more on a blog post below.

The energy price cap rose 4% on 1 October 2026. Find out why, and five ways to cut your energy costs this winter.