22 June 2026
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Heat pumps will be standard in new UK homes from 2028, with government support increasing adoption, though some upgrades are still needed. Andrew Surtees, Co-Founder of the Copper Sustainability Partnership, provides his thoughts on why copper is promoted as the preferred piping for efficiency and sustainability.
Heat pumps are set to become the new standard in homes built from 2028 onwards as part of the Future Homes Standard, a government scheme set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in homes. To support this rollout, the Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP) is highlighting the importance of installing with copper for safer, longer lasting infrastructure.
The popularity of heat pumps in the UK is increasing, with more people becoming aware of their environmental benefits. New data shows applications had increased by 54% year on year, during the first half of 2025, with 22,344 people taking advantage of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme between January and June 2025, compared to 14,555 in the same period last year.
However, to reach the UK’s climate obligations, there is still a long way to go – a new report from innovation charity Nesta has found that many people are hesitant about heat pump installation due to the work that may need to be done beforehand to prepare a home for a heat pump.
With some homes possibly needing new radiators, or new pipework to accommodate the water pressure differences, should homes be making the upgrades now? How can copper help?
Introduction of the ‘Warm Homes Plan’
One initiative key to the uptake of heat pump installation is the government’s 'Warm Homes Plan’ which came into effect in January 2026.
The Warm Homes Plan promises to provide £15 billion to households across the UK over the next five years, to upgrade to greener technology and help cut energy bills.
Included in the plan is the extension of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2029/30, offering up to £7,500 in grants per household for air-source or ground-source heat pumps, and expanding the scheme to include a £2,500 discount on air-to-air heat pumps that also cool your home.
While upgrading a home’s plumbing system in advance of installing a heat pump will come with extra costs, Nesta and green energy charity, MCS Foundation, have estimated the average home could save more than £1000 a year on energy bills.
Why should heat pumps be made with copper piping?
Heat pump installations are the next big step towards the UK reaching its climate goal, and copper must be at the heart of this change over damaging materials like plastic.
Copper is suitable for supplying heating, water and gas into homes. As an excellent conductor of heat, it allows for rapid and efficient heat transfer, making it the standout choice for supplying the heat generated by low-carbon heating systems.
The material also possesses a host of environmental benefits over plastic piping for heat pumps. Not only is it an infinitely recyclable material but is favourable because of its thermal resilience and ability to withstand fluctuating temperatures; an area where plastics can crack very quickly.
Cooper pipes can be integrated with air source heat pumps, transporting the heat extracted from outside air to radiators, electric heaters and other outlets. As well as improving efficiency, copper pipes are also infinitely recyclable, helping to reduce carbon emissions associated with the design of air-source heat pumps.
With the construction industry in desperate need to improve its sustainability, single use plastics must be eliminated and replaced with an infinitely recyclable alternative like copper, in order to make homes fit for the future.
To find out more about the recyclability of copper and its importance in heat pumps, visit: https://www.cuspuk.com
