The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have published findings that show heat pump incentive demand is increasing over the same period in 2023.
It’s no secret that the built environment have struggled with implementing a heat source that it both beneficial for people and the environment. However, since the government announced they would be supporting heat pumps, applications for them have skyrocketed.
According to the latest statistics from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme – a government project that supports the decarbonisation of heat in buildings and helps pay for some of the installation costs – the number of applications in June 2024 rose by 81% compared to the same period last year.
Overall, the government have reported the heat pump incentive has seen strong year-on-year growth with 2,687 applications received for claiming a grant of £7,500 towards the cost of an air-source or ground-source heat pump.
Although demand for heat pumps is on the up, the government also noted that application numbers in June fell by 10% compared to May which is when 2,986 applications were received.
Gail Parker, low carbon homes director for British Gas Zero, has expressed her excitement over households choosing the sustainable option for heating their homes.
‘These latest figures build on previous growth and suggest that more and more homeowners are continuing to prioritise heating their homes sustainable,’ Parker said.
In addition, Parker noted how the recent amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme could have been responsible for the increased interest. The revisions, which were announced in March, include offering biomass boilers with an integrated function for providing heat for cooking.
Parker said the challenge now will be ‘bringing heat pumps further into consideration for homeowners who are planning to upgrade their heating system over the summer months.’
Against this backdrop, Daniel Särefjord, CEO of Aira UK, has said that although the rise in heat pump applications is promising, our new government must work to secure a more cost-effective deal.
‘It’s encouraging to see an 81% year-on-year increase in BUS applications, as many look to switch to cleaner and more affordable heating solutions. At Aira, we aim to make clean energy-tech more accessible and affordable with monthly payment plans to remove the barrier of high upfront costs, and offer new clean energy tariffs to save customers hundreds of pounds more on their annual energy bills,’ Särefjord remarked.
‘Despite our best efforts, we need the new Labour government to help us secure a fairer deal for the heat pump industry. There are growing calls for the cost of electricity to be brought in line with some of our European neighbours, such as those in Scandinavia, and for unnecessary planning red tape, which has become a bureaucratic burden for businesses and the local authorities, to be removed. In the coming weeks, there are many opportunities for the government to positively impact our sector and move us closer to achieving the country’s national net zero targets – we call for action and eagerly await their next steps.’
Heat pump targets
Previous government succession on heat pump targets have given Särefjord reason to call on the next government to do a better job.
Within the last year watchdogs such as the National Infrastructure Commission have warned the UK government was ‘off-track’ on its ambitions to stimulate market demand for heat pumps. The goals include a target for a minimum of 600,000 heat pump systems to be installed across the UK each year from 2028.
Similar concerns have been shared by the National Audit Office, which in March called for a broad rethink about scaling-up the installation of lower carbon heating systems.
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