Recent Changes To The Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Last month, the UK government unveiled changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, making it easier for households to install eco-friendly heating solutions like heat pumps. The changes comes into force on 8th May 2024 and involves the removal of insulation prerequisites, a move designed to simplify installations and reduce costs for households.
To help reach climate change targets, the government aims to deploy 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028. However, recent figures from MCS indicate that only around 40,000 heat pumps were installed by accredited installers in the UK in 2023. This falls considerably short of the government's ambitious targets, placing the UK among the lowest-ranking EU countries in terms of heat pump sales.
The government's decision to ease insulation standards is aimed at reducing the overall costs associated with heat pump installations, as well as increase uptake.
According to GOV.UK,
“Homeowners will have more choice in how they improve their home and will no longer have to install cavity wall or loft insulation to use the scheme, which offers grants of £7,500 off the cost of heat pump installation.”
A recent BBC article highlighted the government's acknowledgment of the high costs associated with the technology, and rightly want to bring down the price of installing heat pumps. Notably, for semi-detached properties, this change could translate to a potential cost reduction of around £2,500, making sustainable heating options more accessible than ever.
Our View
Reducing the financial barriers to sustainable heating solutions, such as heat pumps, is a pivotal measure in the fight against climate change and the promotion of energy efficiency. However, it's important to underscore that while eliminating insulation requirements may lower initial expenses for households, proper insulation remains indispensable for optimising the performance and efficiency of heat pumps.
Insulation plays a critical role in preserving heat within the home, curbing energy wastage, and ultimately improving the effectiveness of heat pumps. Conversely, poor insulation increases energy costs and increases energy wastage. Consequently, the elimination of such rules could potentially undermine the heat pump market, as homeowners may find themselves with a subpar set up, leaving them unhappy with their system's performance and burdened by soaring energy bills.
In light of this, we urge homeowners to continue prioritising adequate insulation alongside their heating upgrades to achieve maximum efficiency, reduce energy costs, and environmental advantages. For more information about how we can help, please complete an enquiry form by clicking the button below.
Looking to purchase a heat pump?
If you’re interested in replacing your fossil fuel system with a heat pump and would like to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, please get in touch by clicking the link below.