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Heat pumps: How do they work and how do I get one? Heat pumps: How do they work and how do I get one?
(25 days later)
Air-source heat pumps look a bit like an air-conditioning unit on the outside of a buildingAir-source heat pumps look a bit like an air-conditioning unit on the outside of a building
The government is increasing the financial support available to help households in England and Wales replace their gas boilers with heat pumps.The government is increasing the financial support available to help households in England and Wales replace their gas boilers with heat pumps.
The Boiler Upgrade Grant is rising from £5,000 to £7,500.The Boiler Upgrade Grant is rising from £5,000 to £7,500.
The sale of new gas boilers will still be banned from 2035 but poorer households will now be exempt.The sale of new gas boilers will still be banned from 2035 but poorer households will now be exempt.
UK heat pump costs
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) estimates that air source heat pumps - the most common type for households - costs £10,000 more than a gas boiler on average.
Some energy companies are offering heat pumps as low as £3000 with the government grant.
The NIC analysis suggests that as the UK moves towards using electricity based heating, generated from renewable energy, household bills will fall from £2,200 on average to below £1,400 in the mid 2030s.
Whether this will be cheaper than running gas boilers is challenging to say as it depends on fossil-fuel energy costs, which have fluctuated significantly in recent years, but experts say that costs could be more stable under a renewable energy system.
What is the scheme and who is eligible?What is the scheme and who is eligible?
The boiler upgrade scheme was launched in April 2022 to help reduce the cost of more environmentally-friendly heating systems.The boiler upgrade scheme was launched in April 2022 to help reduce the cost of more environmentally-friendly heating systems.
It is part of the government's commitment to reach "net zero" - the point at which the UK no longer adds to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere - by 2050.It is part of the government's commitment to reach "net zero" - the point at which the UK no longer adds to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere - by 2050.
Grants are available to existing homes and non-domestic buildings in England and Wales, and can be used for:Grants are available to existing homes and non-domestic buildings in England and Wales, and can be used for:
air source heat pumpsair source heat pumps
ground source heat pumpsground source heat pumps
water source heat pumpswater source heat pumps
biomass boilers (for those living in rural areas)biomass boilers (for those living in rural areas)
Even at the increased level, the grant will not necessarily cover the full cost of installation.Even at the increased level, the grant will not necessarily cover the full cost of installation.
The property must have an eligible Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) issued in the last 10 years, with no outstanding recommendations to install loft or cavity wall insulation.The property must have an eligible Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) issued in the last 10 years, with no outstanding recommendations to install loft or cavity wall insulation.
If that has been recommended, you'll need to insulate your home first, or do it as part of the application process.If that has been recommended, you'll need to insulate your home first, or do it as part of the application process.
The scheme is not available if you live in social housing or a new-build property. Private rented accommodation is also eligible but the landlord has to apply.The scheme is not available if you live in social housing or a new-build property. Private rented accommodation is also eligible but the landlord has to apply.
Then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak also announced in the 2022 Spring Statement that there would be no VAT on heat pumps for five years in England, Scotland and Wales.Then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak also announced in the 2022 Spring Statement that there would be no VAT on heat pumps for five years in England, Scotland and Wales.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate schemes to help make homes more efficient.Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate schemes to help make homes more efficient.
Check if you may be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade SchemeCheck if you may be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Ofgem: Boiler upgrade schemeOfgem: Boiler upgrade scheme
Find a certified installerFind a certified installer
How is the scheme changing?How is the scheme changing?
In March 2023, the government extended the scheme until 2028, after the House of Lords Net Zero Committee warned take-up was so low the national target for green heating was "very unlikely to be met".In March 2023, the government extended the scheme until 2028, after the House of Lords Net Zero Committee warned take-up was so low the national target for green heating was "very unlikely to be met".
In September, as part of a series of changes to the government's approach to net zero, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the 2035 ban would remain and the grant increase.In September, as part of a series of changes to the government's approach to net zero, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the 2035 ban would remain and the grant increase.
He also said there would be a "new exemption" to help households who would particularly struggle to switch. The government suggests this could apply to about a fifth of homes.He also said there would be a "new exemption" to help households who would particularly struggle to switch. The government suggests this could apply to about a fifth of homes.
It is also delaying the ban on installing oil and liquid-petroleum-gas (LPG) boilers and new coal heating for "off-gas-grid" homes, to 2035.It is also delaying the ban on installing oil and liquid-petroleum-gas (LPG) boilers and new coal heating for "off-gas-grid" homes, to 2035.
This had been due to be phased in from 2026 but the government wants to give these households more time to adapt.This had been due to be phased in from 2026 but the government wants to give these households more time to adapt.
Mr Sunak told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the average life of a boiler was about 15 years - so even if people had a gas boiler at the time of the ban, 2035, the 2050 target could still be met.Mr Sunak told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the average life of a boiler was about 15 years - so even if people had a gas boiler at the time of the ban, 2035, the 2050 target could still be met.
PM gambles as he walks towards blizzard of criticismPM gambles as he walks towards blizzard of criticism
Could Sunak's green review threaten UK net zero?Could Sunak's green review threaten UK net zero?
What else did the Lords committee say about the boiler scheme?
Baroness Parminter, who chairs the Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee, heavily criticised ministers for the lack of progress made and low levels of awareness of the "seriously failing" scheme.
The government's own research from Autumn 2022 showed 80% of people in the UK did not know what a heat pump was, let alone had heard of the grant.
The scheme initially had a budget of £150m each year for three years and aimed to issue 30,000 vouchers annually. But in the first eight months of operation, only 9,888 grants were awarded.
The committee also found there was a lack of training for engineers leading to a shortage of heat pump installers, and said more needed to be done to bring down the cost of heat pumps.
At the time, the government said it had launched a marketing campaign to boost public awareness "and will consider further options to ensure our targets are met".
How do heat pumps work?How do heat pumps work?
A heat pump is an electrically-powered device which absorbs heat from the air, ground or water around a building.A heat pump is an electrically-powered device which absorbs heat from the air, ground or water around a building.
For example, air-source pumps suck in outdoor air and pass it over tubes containing refrigerant fluids to produce heat.For example, air-source pumps suck in outdoor air and pass it over tubes containing refrigerant fluids to produce heat.
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Heat pumps explained in 60 secondsHeat pumps explained in 60 seconds
Heat pumps explained in 60 secondsHeat pumps explained in 60 seconds
How big are heat pumps?How big are heat pumps?
A box of about 1m x 1m x 0.4m needs to stand outside - close to, or attached to the property - to draw in air.A box of about 1m x 1m x 0.4m needs to stand outside - close to, or attached to the property - to draw in air.
It should be at least 1m from your neighbour's property so they will not be able to hear it, although it won't be much louder than a fridge.It should be at least 1m from your neighbour's property so they will not be able to hear it, although it won't be much louder than a fridge.
You will also need space inside for a heat pump unit and hot water cylinder. The unit will be about the size of a gas boiler - while the cylinder depends on the size of the home.You will also need space inside for a heat pump unit and hot water cylinder. The unit will be about the size of a gas boiler - while the cylinder depends on the size of the home.
A ground source heat pump needs much more space outside - either a bore hole as deep as 100m, or a horizontal system dug into the ground over a large area.A ground source heat pump needs much more space outside - either a bore hole as deep as 100m, or a horizontal system dug into the ground over a large area.
Are heat pumps cheaper to run than gas boilers?
Heat pumps are normally three times more efficient than gas boilers, but they use electricity to run, and electricity prices can be more expensive than gas, so it depends on fossil-fuel energy costs.
The government has previously said it will look at measures to ensure heat pumps are no more expensive to run than a gas boiler in the long run.
How will we heat homes in zero-carbon Britain?How will we heat homes in zero-carbon Britain?
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Greenhouse gas emissionsGreenhouse gas emissions
Climate changeClimate change
Heat pumpsHeat pumps
Renewable energyRenewable energy
Carbon neutralityCarbon neutrality