UK homeowners are rushing to claim up to £7,500 off eco-friendly heat pumps, with applications skyrocketing by 75% in February alone. The Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a cornerstone in the UK’s ambitious climate strategy, has seen over 35,000 applications since its launch in 2022, marking a significant shift towards sustainable heating solutions.
The Rush for Greener Heat
This February, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme experienced a remarkable surge in interest, receiving 2,317 applications, making it the third-highest month for applications since the scheme’s inception. This comes on the heels of an increase in the grant amount to £7,500 last October. Compared to the 1,321 applications in February of the previous year and a 13% rise from January’s 2,046 applications, it’s clear that UK homeowners are eager to embrace green heating technologies.
An overwhelming 96% of the 35,741 applications submitted so far have been for air source heat pump installations, with 30,571 vouchers issued to date. The Government’s decision to increase the number of Boiler Upgrade Scheme vouchers by 54% in February 2024, issuing 1,868 vouchers compared to 1,211 in the same month last year, underscores the growing demand for these eco-friendly heating solutions.
Understanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Launched in May 2022, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is designed to make low carbon heating systems more accessible to UK homeowners. With offers of up to £7,500 off the cost of heat pumps and £5,000 for biomass boilers, the scheme aims to reduce the carbon footprint of UK homes, stimulate the low carbon heating market, and contribute to the Government’s net-zero emissions target by 2050. An additional £450 million has been earmarked for grant funding from 2022 to 2025, solidifying the Government’s commitment to this green initiative.
Energy Security Secretary, Claire Coutinho, emphasised the importance of supporting families to make their homes more energy-efficient without financial strain, while Charlotte Lee, CEO of the Heat Pump Association, highlighted the positive impact of the grant increase and government efforts to raise awareness about heat pumps.
How Do Heat Pumps Work?
Heat pumps are an innovative technology that provides a sustainable alternative to traditional heating systems. There are two main types: air source and ground source heat pumps. Air source heat pumps extract heat from the outside air to warm homes via radiators or underfloor heating, while ground source pumps draw heat from the ground. Despite the higher installation cost and space requirements for ground source pumps, both types offer a greener way to heat homes.
Who’s Going Green?
The scheme’s impact is most evident in the South East and South West of England, where 19% of the grants have been allocated. However, the uptake has been lower in the North East and Wales, highlighting regional disparities in the adoption of green heating technologies. Nearly half of the homeowners taking advantage of the scheme are replacing gas heating systems, with a significant number also transitioning from oil systems or installing central heating for the first time.
Industry experts are calling on the Government to further promote and facilitate the adoption of heat pumps. By addressing regulatory hurdles, rebalancing the tax system, and clearly communicating the benefits and feasibility of home electrification, the UK can accelerate its transition to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly heating future.