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The UK's Heat and Building Strategy: A Look at Heat Pumps

The UK government released its Heat and Building Strategy in October 2021, outlining plans to decarbonize heating in buildings. This is crucial to achieving net zero emissions. The strategy heavily favours heat pumps as the primary solution.

Industry Reaction:

While the heat pump industry welcomed the government's support, many felt it wasn't enough. They believe further financial incentives and bolder ambitions are needed.


Key Points of the Strategy:


  • Boiler Upgrade Scheme: A £3.9 billion package includes a £450 million fund for grants that subsidize heat pump installations. This scheme runs from 2022 to 2025, replacing the Renewable Heat Incentive. However, concerns exist about limited funding (enough for 30,000 installations per year) and no guarantee of extension beyond 2025.


  • Market-Based Mechanism:  This controversial proposal, under consultation, aims to increase heat pump adoption from 2024 to 2028.  The idea is to require fossil fuel boiler manufacturers to sell a certain number of heat pumps alongside their boilers. This may lead to partnerships between boiler and heat pump companies. Another option being considered would place the obligation on energy suppliers, not manufacturers.


  • Heat Pump Costs: The government expects heat pump installation costs to drop by 25-50% by 2025 and reach parity with gas boilers by 2030.  Industry experts find this ambitious. They believe cost reductions will likely come from installation process improvements and increased competition among installers, rather than significant technological breakthroughs.


  • Energy Cost Rebalancing:  The government aims to make heat pumps as cost-effective as gas boilers. This includes potentially shifting environmental and social energy levies from electricity to gas.  While the industry welcomes a rebalancing, there are concerns about unintended consequences, such as placing a greater financial burden on low-income households who can't afford to switch from gas boilers to heat pumps.


Overall, the Heat and Building Strategy represents a significant step towards decarbonizing heating in the UK. However, questions remain about the adequacy of proposed measures and potential drawbacks of certain policies.



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