The UK government has revealed a 49% increase in people applying for heat pumps through its Boiler Upgrade Scheme, following prime minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to increase grants to £7,500 in October last year.
The scheme was devised to help families make the switch from fossil fuel heating systems to a cleaner heat pump alternative by minimising substantial upfront costs.
The figures jumped by 49% in December 2023 compared to the same month in 2022.
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Energy security secretary Claire Coutinho said the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme is the “most generous” in Europe.
“Helping people, rather than forcing them, to make the right choices for their homes will always be my priority,” Coutinho added.
The figures released show a regional breakdown of where heat pumps have been installed in England and Wales, with the South West seeing the most, with 3,655 installations, followed by the South East (excluding London) with 3,605, and then the East with 2,452.
Energy efficiency and green finance minister Lord Callanan said: “These figures show more people want the cleaner heating and more stable bills you get with a heat pump”.
“Our approach to reaching net zero works and because of increased heat pump grants, there’s never been a better time to make the switch.”
