Why Installers Should Look Beyond Heat Pumps: The Advantage of tepeo’s ZEB

 
Recent government and industry data for 2025 highlight a critical gap in the UK’s mission to achieve net zero. According to the Heat Pump Association, heat pump sales hit a record 125,000 last year, which is clear progress for clean home heating. However, in the same period, an estimated 1.5 million fossil fuel boilers were still installed in UK homes. While some customers are switching to low-carbon options, the majority remain with traditional boilers.

This discrepancy reveals a key challenge for the industry. Many customers want to adopt greener heating but face barriers that make switching difficult. As an installer, you likely meet homeowners hoping to reduce their carbon emissions who are confronted with the realities of extensive insulation upgrades, larger radiators, and outdoor noise, all of which can feel overwhelming or disruptive.

For many, these hurdles mean that choosing a new heating system is less about ambition and more about minimising disruption and cost. The result is that most households continue to install gas or oil boilers because the alternative appears too complex or intrusive.

A Practical Solution: tepeo’s ZEB Heat Battery

tepeo was founded to make low-carbon heating accessible and straightforward for everyone. Our ZEB heat battery boiler offers a new path for installers and homeowners alike. It enables the environmental benefits of a heat pump, without the major modifications, outdoor space requirements or lengthy installations that often act as barriers.

  • Boiler Logic: The ZEB delivers flow temperatures up to 80°C and a peak heat output of 15kW, mimicking the performance of traditional heat-only boilers, ensuring users feel no perceptible difference in comfort or warmth.

  • Low-Cost, Stored Heat: Equipped with an innovative thermal storage core, the ZEB can store up to 40kWh of usable heat. Its smart charging system monitors electricity prices and automatically charges during off-peak, low-carbon periods. This decouples energy consumption from heat delivery, helping keep running costs low and promoting greener energy usage.

  • Simple swap. Zero stress: The ZEB is designed as a straightforward replacement connecting to existing radiators and pipework to avoid the disruption of a full system redesign which is typically installed within 1 to 2 days. There is no need for an external installation or extensive planning, making it suitable for properties of all shapes and sizes, including smaller homes, flats, and Victorian terraces.

 

Matching Policy: The Warm Homes Plan

The UK government’s £15 billion Warm Homes Plan marks a major shift in national energy strategy. Instead of prioritising extensive insulation before upgrading heating systems, the plan recognises the value of technology-first solutions. Installers are now encouraged to offer smart electrification: solar, heat pumps, energy storage, and alternative systems such as the ZEB. This approach helps more households access low-carbon heat, sooner.

The ZEB uniquely fits this strategy by offering:

  • Rapid Decarbonisation: Swap out an old boiler for a ZEB in as little as 24 to 48 hours, with no need for a full home retrofit.
  • Supporting a Smarter Grid: By charging during off-peak periods, the ZEB helps balance the grid and supports the integration of renewable energy sources, furthering the goals of the Warm Homes Plan.
 

New Funding for 2026: £2,500 Heat Battery Grant – Available Now

From winter 2026, the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) expands to include heat batteries, enabling homeowners to claim a £2,500 grant specifically for technologies like the ZEB. This development reflects a growing understanding that heat pumps, while valuable, may not suit every property.

However, we know there’s anticipation from customers around the £2,500 grant, hence, we’re stepping in early. From today, tepeo will match the BUS grant and offer your customers a £2,500 contribution towards a ZEB installation, ensuring they can benefit right away.

For installers, this means:

  • Lower Barriers to Low-Carbon Installs: The ZEB becomes as financially accessible as many high-end gas boiler replacements once the grant is considered.
  • Streamlined Projects: There is no need to navigate planning permissions or comply with space rules that can complicate heat pump installations.
  • Broader Reach: Installers can now serve a wider range of homes, including urban flats and older properties, where outdoor units are impractical or unwelcome.
 

Equip Your Business for the “Delivery Decade” with tepeoPRO

As the UK aims to upgrade 5 million homes by 2030, the opportunity to deliver low-carbon solutions is greater than ever. Installers who can offer more than just a single technology will be best placed for success.

tepeoPRO provides you with a vital addition to your product offering. Our practical, half-day training teaches everything needed to fit the ZEB into existing central heating systems, typically with no upsizing of radiators and no major disruption for your customers. With tepeo, you can take on more projects, support the net zero transition, and help more households benefit from clean, reliable, and affordable heating.

Get in touch today

Whether you are looking to expand your service offering or need a technical solution for a specific project, our team is here to help. Reach out to discuss how a partnership with tepeo can support your transition to low-carbon heating.