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Heat pump installation process would put anyone off Heat pump installation process would put anyone off
(about 20 hours later)
The sheer amount of bureaucracy and time involved is irksome, says Dr Kirstine OswaldThe sheer amount of bureaucracy and time involved is irksome, says Dr Kirstine Oswald
I’m not surprised that there were 15 times as many gas boiler installations as heat pumps last year (Report, 10 April). I’ve just had a heat pump installed at great expense, even after the government grant. What irked me about the whole process was the sheer amount of bureaucracy I had to go through and pay for.I’m not surprised that there were 15 times as many gas boiler installations as heat pumps last year (Report, 10 April). I’ve just had a heat pump installed at great expense, even after the government grant. What irked me about the whole process was the sheer amount of bureaucracy I had to go through and pay for.
It took nearly three months to get planning permission, costing about £400, then get permission from the grid for a fee, and after that fill in online forms and prove my identity to get the grant. It took months to finally be able to go ahead with the installation.It took nearly three months to get planning permission, costing about £400, then get permission from the grid for a fee, and after that fill in online forms and prove my identity to get the grant. It took months to finally be able to go ahead with the installation.
Most of the process is online, requiring the uploading of photographs and scanned documents. I am reasonably computer savvy, but many people are not and would probably find all this a daunting prospect.Most of the process is online, requiring the uploading of photographs and scanned documents. I am reasonably computer savvy, but many people are not and would probably find all this a daunting prospect.
As a final disincentive, as long as electricity is about four times the price of gas per kWh, for many it won’t even save money.As a final disincentive, as long as electricity is about four times the price of gas per kWh, for many it won’t even save money.
I have invested in solar panels, home batteries and improved insulation, all at great cost, so I might just save a bit on heating – but I’m not holding my breath.I have invested in solar panels, home batteries and improved insulation, all at great cost, so I might just save a bit on heating – but I’m not holding my breath.
I did it for future generations, but the anti-climate-change policies of the man who is in charge in the US does not auger well for the future of the planet.Dr Kirstine OswaldBonnyrigg, Midlothian I did it for future generations, but the anti-climate-change policies of the man who is in charge in the US does not augur well for the future of the planet.Dr Kirstine OswaldBonnyrigg, Midlothian
Do you have a photograph you’d like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers’ best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays. This letter was amended on 15 April to correct the spelling of augur