Alpha launched the Alpha Hydro on 31 July 2023, describing it as a packaged heat pump solution that pairs a single-phase heat pump with a pre-plumbed 200 litre cylinder and Smartech controls1. The company said it is a new addition to its existing heat pump range1.
The Alpha Hydro uses low-temperature heat from outdoor air and raises it for transfer to water circulating through radiators or underfloor heating1. Alpha states it is a low-temperature system best suited to continuous operation, in contrast to a gas boiler that switches on and off through the day1. A built-in weather compensation probe monitors inside and outside temperatures and adjusts the heat delivered to hold conditions steady1.
The range covers 5, 8, 12 and 16kW single-phase heat pumps1. Alpha's feature list gives the cylinder as 210 litres in one place and 200 litres in another1. Other stated features include:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cylinder heat loss | Energy Class B, 56W |
| Pump | Fully modulating Grundfos UPMXL 15-125, all system sizes |
| Cylinder and manifold | 316 stainless steel, brass connections |
| Insulation | Zero GWP and ODP |
| Power connection | 13A switched spur, maximum draw 10.5A |
| Cylinder weight | 65kg empty, 272kg full |
| Certification | MCS certified, Connect and Notify Approved |
The pre-plumbed cylinder assembly arrives with a fully wired control panel; Alpha says the only requirements are a two-core cable to the outdoor heat pump and a 13A power supply1. An optional second heating zone can be served from the cylinder using a second zone kit valve and Smartech expansion kit1. Smartech controls allow app-based remote adjustment via a wireless thermostat linked to Wi-Fi, with the Alpha Smartech app available on iOS and Android1.
Daniel Wilden, renewable product manager for Alpha, said:
"The Alpha Hydro offers those who are ready to embrace energy efficient technology the perfect solution to do so. With the Hydro heat pump able to operate at a lower temperature for longer, homeowners need no longer worry about turning their heating on and off to keep their homes at a desired level."
Why it matters for households
A packaged design shifts some of the work of specifying a heat pump system from the installer to the factory, because the cylinder, pump, controls and wiring arrive assembled. For a household, that can affect how long an installation takes and how much of the work happens on site, though Alpha gives no installation times or prices1. The stated cylinder dimensions are described as small in diameter and height, which Alpha says makes it an easier fit for smaller properties1.
The system's suitability for a given home still depends on how that home loses heat and how its emitters perform, because Alpha describes the Hydro as a low-temperature system intended to run continuously rather than cycle1. The weather compensation probe is presented as the means of holding internal temperatures steady without noticeable fluctuation1. The cylinder is a hot water cylinder integrated into the package rather than a separate purchase.
For energy independence, the significance is indirect. The Hydro runs on electricity rather than gas, so a household's exposure moves from the gas network to the electricity supply, and the running cost depends on how the electricity is generated or bought. Alpha frames the launch against the UK's net-zero ambitions by 2050 and the incoming Future Standard, but gives no running cost, efficiency or bill figures1. No price, warranty length or confirmed availability date beyond the launch has been reported1.
What happens next
Alpha says it encourages installers to attend its free training centres, now available at various locations nationwide, covering system design, product positioning and installation1. The company says installers will be obliged to ensure the system is set up correctly for optimum performance1. Alpha also offers Alpha E-Tec hybrid and heat pump products alongside the Hydro range.
Sources1 cited
- Packaged heat pump solution - Alpha launches Alpha Hydro, alpha-innovation.co.uk