Government grant has caused heat pump applications to surge

More UK-based families are choosing to ditch gas boilers for cleaner alternatives after the government increased its grant by 50% for new heat humps.

Known as one of the most generous schemes in Europe, in October central government declared they would be increasing their heat pump grant up to £7,500 in hopes the funding will bring the cost of installing a new heat pump in line with that of a gas boiler.

Figures that were published on 30^th October have shown that the number of new applicants to the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme in the first week since the grant uplift reached 1,150 – more than three times higher than the average weekly rate prior to the change.

‘New figures show our pragmatic approach to net zero is working. In the first week after our 50% increase to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, applications tripled,’ energy security secretary Claire Coutinho said. ‘We are supporting hardworking families who want to make the switch and replace their boiler in a way that’s within their budgets.’  

The new research has been published alongside an independent study which confirmed heat pumps are generally rated as quiet, with a majority of those surveyed saying they did not notice the sound.

In addition, this government research has come out as COP28 has just gotten underway. As world leaders gather in Dubai to discuss how to battle the effects of the current climate crisis, it’s a good start to know more people in the UK are deciding to switch to a cleaner alternative when heating their homes.

Lord Callanan, minister for energy efficiency and green finance, said: ‘This fantastic increase in applications through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme demonstrates not only the desire for heat pumps in this country, but also that our approach to reach net zero works.

‘We want more families to enjoy the more stable bills and cleaner heating that heat pumps have to offer – and today’s evidence that heat pumps make minimal noise is yet another reason to make the switch.’

As it stands, more households need to seek full planning permission to install a heat pump. However, a report from acoustic experts has claimed a change in planning rules could make this easier for households to install the divide under permitted development rights. As well as this, experts also stated heat pump noise assessments should be conducted by installers to help continue protecting the public from noise pollution.

Image: Martin Adams

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