New European Heat Pump Market Report highlights need to solve UK’s electricity and gas price disparity.

The European Heat Pump Association’s (EHPA) 2024 market report highlights the crucial impact of a low electricity and gas price ratio in accelerated heat pump deployment.

Currently, in the UK, the electricity and gas price ratio is 3.97 which is the highest in Europe and nearly double EHPA’s recommendation of 2.

The report illustrates that those European countries with a high ‘spark gap’ (the ratio between household electricity and gas prices) also have a lower annual total of sales of heat pumps per household.

A significant contributor to high electricity prices in the UK is the disproportionate application of Environmental and Social Obligations – often referred to by Government as ‘policy costs‘ and known commonly as ‘green levies‘. Domestic electricity consumers, bear around 85% of these levies, which means a typical heat pump consumer pays £170 more than an equivalent gas boiler consumer in levy costs per annum.

In November 2023, the HPA proposed the introduction of an Interim Domestic Heat Pump Tariff Discount to provide a short-term solution to reducing the price of electricity relative to gas, whilst fundamental reforms to the electricity market were considered and implemented. This report and extensive background analysis sets out the implications of a range of options to tackle one of the key challenges in accelerating heat pump deployment, running costs.

Commenting on the recently published report, Charlotte Lee, HPA Chief Executive said:

“This latest data release yet again highlights the crucial need for the UK Government to act quickly to tackle the disparity between electricity and gas prices to accelerate heat pump deployment. The Labour Government have been clear they are the party of delivery, and it is imperative that the new Government now prioritise the publication of a consultation on this issue.”

UK heat pump sales per household remain the lowest across Europe with only 2.08 heat pumps per 1000 households sold. This highlights the scale of the opportunity that remains in the UK, which will only be realised if swift, decisive action is taken to reduce the price of electricity relative to gas.

Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries, please contact:
Olivia Smalley
Head of Policy and Communications
Email: Olivia.Smalley@thehpa.org.uk

About the Heat Pump Association:
The HPA is the UK’s dedicated voice for the Heat Pump Sector, driving widespread deployment of heat pump technology throughout the UK. Our membership includes the country’s leading manufacturers of heat pumps, components, and associated equipment as well as energy companies, certification bodies, installers and training providers. We currently represent over 100 member organisations working in the heat pump sector, with our members representing around 85% of the volume of heat pumps sold in the UK market.

Heat Pump Association Launches New Articles to Help Consumers Embrace Low-Carbon Heating.

Heat Pump Association Launches New Articles to Help Consumers Embrace Low-Carbon Heating

The Heat Pump Association (HPA) have today launched a series of articles which provide consumers with a comprehensive guide to navigating the move to installing a heat pump.

As we progress towards our interim carbon reduction targets, the importance of decarbonising heat from buildings is evident, and it is widely understood and accepted that heat pumps will play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions and advancing efforts to reach net zero by 2050. With a commitment to accelerating the deployment of heat pumps, the HPA’s latest initiative seeks to drive consumer awareness and adoption of heat pumps as a viable alternative to traditional heating systems.

The articles cover considerations, advice and real-life experiences at every stage of a heat pump journey. From considering installation to optimising energy efficiency and experiencing the day-to-day benefits, these articles provide practical guidance and actionable insights to help consumers make informed decisions.

The articles cover:

Thinking of Installing a Heat Pump? Here’s What You Need to Know.
What to Expect When Living with a Heat Pump
How to Get Your Home Ready for a Heat Pump
7 Facts About the Benefits of Heat Pumps
Life with a Heat Pump – Owner Stories

Commenting on the release of the articles, HPA Marketing Working Group Chair, Angie Moors-Menkens said: “As advocates for the accelerated deployment of heat pumps, the Heat Pump Association is proud to unveil these articles, which are designed to educate and empower consumers to make informed decisions on their journey to decarbonising their home heating. By providing valuable insights and practical tips, we aim to make the journey to decarbonised heating as simple and easy as possible for the consumer.”

Katy King, Deputy Director of Sustainable Future at Nesta, said: “The UK government aims to have 600,000 heat pumps installed each year by 2028 in order to decarbonise home heating and meet our net zero targets. However, there are still major knowledge gaps and misconceptions when it comes to installing and living with a heat pump. The Heat Pump Association’s new articles for consumers can help people looking to go green by providing practical guidance and actionable tips. These resources could help many UK homeowners make their first step to transitioning to a heat pump.”

For those considering a heat pump, the articles offer invaluable guidance on key considerations such as cost, efficiency, and environmental impact. By understanding the various factors involved, consumers can make informed decisions that best suit their circumstances.

To access the articles and learn more about heat pumps, visit the Heat Pump Association website at http://hpa-bye-bye-divi.local/consumers/

Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Smalley

Head of Policy and Communications

Email: Olivia.smalley@thehpa.org.uk

About the Heat Pump Association:

The HPA is the UK’s dedicated voice for the Heat Pump Sector, driving widespread deployment of heat pump technology throughout the UK. Our membership includes the country’s leading manufacturers of heat pumps, components, and associated equipment as well as energy companies, certification bodies, installers and training providers. We currently represent over 95 member organisations working in the heat pump sector, with our members representing around 85% of the volume of heat pumps sold in the UK market.

Heat Pump Association Release Key Asks for New Government Ahead of July General Election.

The Heat Pump Association (HPA), who provide the dedicated voice for the UK Heat Pump Sector, has today unveiled a comprehensive list of Key Asks for the incoming government ahead of the early July General Election.

The HPA’s Key Asks are designed to provide a clear roadmap for policymakers, ensuring that the UK can meet its ambitious climate emission reduction targets whilst supporting consumers and industry alike. The Association emphasises the need for the new Government to prioritise these initiatives to provide the sector with confidence and clarity. Only then will the full potential of heat pump technology be unlocked, which is essential for decarbonising the heating sector and reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions.

The five Key Asks from the Heat Pump Association, which are underpinned by more detailed policy recommendations, are to:

Pursue regulatory change and promised policy developments to unlock the barriers to the widescale deployment of heat pumps.
Reduce the upfront and running costs of heat pumps to make the lowest carbon heat the lowest cost heat.
Ensure we have an adequate, skilled and competent workforce to support a smooth transition to low-carbon heating.
Engage consumers in the transition to low-carbon heating to enable a smooth and supported approach.
Support all those working in the heat pump supply chain by ensuring technical standards remain up to date.

Charlotte Lee, CEO of the Heat Pump Association, highlighted the critical importance of these recommendations, commenting: “The upcoming general election presents a pivotal opportunity for the new Government to demonstrate, through action, its commitment to reducing the UK’s carbon emissions in line with the UK’s legally binding targets. Heat pumps are a proven, efficient and scalable technology that can drastically reduce carbon emissions from heating. By adopting our Key Asks, the new Government can accelerate the decarbonisation of heating, support job creation, increase private sector investment, and crucially enhance the UK’s energy security and help consumers reduce their energy bills.”

“It’s imperative that the new Government provides the necessary support to ensure a smooth transition to low-carbon heating. This includes not only financial incentives but also robust policy frameworks and investment in correct skills and training. Our Key Asks are not just about the environmental benefits; they are about creating a cost-effective, stable and smooth transition to low-carbon heating that works for everyone.”

The Heat Pump Association will continue to advocate for these critical measures in the run-up to the election and beyond, ensuring that the voice of the industry is heard and promoting the benefits of heat pump technology in the UK’s journey to net zero.

Read the HPA’s Key asks in full: http://hpa-bye-bye-divi.local/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Heat-Pump-Association-recommendations-for-the-next-Government.pdf

Find out more about the HPA and its membership: http://hpa-bye-bye-divi.local/

Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Smalley

Head of Policy and Communications

Email: Olivia.smalley@thehpa.org.uk

About the Heat Pump Association:

Heat Pump Association launches new Statistics webpage showcasing growth in the sector.

The Heat Pump Association (HPA) is excited to announce the launch of its new statistics page. It provides a comprehensive online resource, with annual UK heat pump sales data and quarterly updates on the number of individuals who have successfully completed training to install heat pumps in the UK since 2022.

The new statistics page is part of the HPA’s ongoing commitment to advocate for the acceleration of heat pump deployment in the UK, by supplying transparent and insightful data to inform policy, guide industry practices and empower those in the sector. It features detailed insights into the rising sales of heat pumps and the growing number of professionals trained in their installation. This initiative reflects the increasing interest and investment in low carbon technologies across the UK.

The data reveals a marked increase in heat pump sales over the past six years, with a notable 125% increase in sales between 2018 and 2023, underscoring the rising demand for greener, cleaner heating solutions. The statistics page also reports quarterly the number of individuals trained to install heat pumps. The latest data shows a 166% increase in the number of individuals who successfully completed training to install heat pumps from 2022-2023, indicating a strengthening workforce ready to support the transition.

“As the industry grows, it is crucial to make strategic decisions based on trusted datasets. This updated webpage not only ensures our members and stakeholders are well-informed but also supports the entire industry’s growth by providing regular and reliable data updates,” said Olivia Smalley, Head of Policy and Communications at the Heat Pump Association.

Continuing, Olivia said, “We hope this resource will provide support for future developments and policy decisions and will assist in the acceleration of heat pump deployment in the UK.”

The statistics page will be regularly updated to reflect the latest trends and changes in the market, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource for industry professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders alike.

HPA Members receive more frequent and granular UK Heat Pump sales data updates. To find out more about HPA membership visit: http://hpa-bye-bye-divi.local/membership/

For more information on the Heat Pump Association and to access the statistics page, please visit http://hpa-bye-bye-divi.local/statistics/

Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Smalley

Head of Policy and Communications

Email: Olivia.smalley@thehpa.org.uk

About the Heat Pump Association:

The HPA is the UK’s dedicated voice for the Heat Pump Sector, driving widespread deployment of heat pump technology throughout the UK. Our membership includes the country’s leading manufacturers of heat pumps, components, and associated equipment as well as energy companies, certification bodies, installers and training providers. We currently represent over 80 member organisations working in the heat pump sector, with our members representing around 85% of the volume of heat pumps sold in the UK market.

New Industry data shows a 166% Increase in Qualified Heat Pump Installers.

New Industry data shows a 166% Increase in Qualified Heat Pump Installers

The Heat Pump Association is delighted to share new figures which highlight a significant advancement in the number of individuals qualified to install heat pumps within the UK. In what demonstrates a growing interest in this sector, the number of individuals who have completed training to become qualified heat pump installers has seen an impressive increase of 166% from just under 3,000 in 2022 to close to 8,000 in 2023.

This increase brings the total number of heat pump installers qualified in the last 2 years to just shy of 11,000 individuals. Whilst the data can’t identify whether the qualified individuals are currently working within the sector, the exponential growth highlights the growing interest and investment in heat pumps within the UK and is a testament to the work of the training providers, heating engineers and manufacturers in growing the supply chain, with support from Government grants. According to HPA’s projections, the UK needs the equivalent of 33,700 Full Time Employed heat pump installers to support the transition to clean heating systems in line with Government ambitions, and these figures show good progress is being made.

Many of these 11,000 individuals will have received grants from various Government Schemes including the Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition, skills bootcamps and the current Heat Training Grant. With the Heat Training Grant able to support around 6,000 additional heat pump trainees in England over the next 13 months, we expect this upward trend to continue in 2024.

Commenting on the increase, Minister for Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway said: “We’ve seen a surge of heat pump applications since we increased support grants by 50 per cent, making our scheme one of the most generous in Europe. We now want to create an army of experts that will be the heartbeat of this heat pump rollout – it’s fantastic to see thousands joining this new skilled workforce.”

This surge in qualified installers is not just a win for the environment but also for the economy, creating numerous job opportunities and fostering a skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of the future.

“We are witnessing a pivotal moment in the shift towards the acceleration of heat pump deployment and the sector is leading the charge,” said Laura Needham, Chair of the Training Working group at the Heat Pump Association. “With the support of the Government, the sector is investing in building a strong foundation to train the workforce needed to meet our net zero targets. This strong increase in trained heat pump installers demonstrates change is afoot. Having a qualified, competent and committed heat pump installer network is vital to the success of meeting the Government’s Net Zero targets .”

Welcoming the news, OFTEC training manager, David Knipe, said “Ensuring that homeowners get heat pump installations they can trust is essential if consumers are to have the confidence to invest in low carbon heating. OFTEC is at the forefront of supporting this goal and our new suite of heat pump courses have been extremely popular in the last year, with over 1,330 heating technicians undertaking training.”

Mark Krull, Director at LCL Awards said, “It is encouraging to see that the heating industry within the UK has risen to meet the challenge and those who see the future with heat Pumps are actively seeking to develop and extend their knowledge through training and undertaking qualifications which the HPA has been leading the industry on. This is an ongoing challenge and I am sure more installers will continue to grow their skills and knowledge and help the UK meet its Net Zero Targets.”

Neil Collishaw, CEO at BPEC said, “This is very encouraging news. BPEC is proud to have been a trailblazer in this field having offered heat pump and other renewable training courses/qualifications to the plumbing and heating industry for over a decade. We will continue to work closely with the HPA to promote upskilling opportunities to meet the skills needs for the future which is central to our core mission”.

Paul Collins, Technical Director at NICEIC, commented: “It is great to see the number of installers training to install heat pumps to help us on our journey to Net Zero. However, the industry needs to continue to push to ensure we can meet the targets ahead of us.”

Oliver Zanetti, Mission Manager, Sustainable Future Mission at Nesta commented: “Heating engineers are the experts who will upgrade Britain’s homes with new, efficient and low carbon heat sources. We’re excited to see that more and more engineers are gaining the skills they’ll need to move into the sector and deliver more heat pumps. We need to keep the pace up if we are to achieve the scale of transition that’s necessary. At Nesta, we’re devising and trialling innovations that will make it quicker and easier for engineers to move from gas into installing heat pumps.”

The Heat Pump Association remains dedicated to promoting the adoption of heat pumps as a key solution to reducing carbon emissions from heating and achieving net-zero targets. HPA manufacturing members alone can train 40,000 individuals each year and we continue to work closely with government bodies, industry stakeholders, and our members to ensure that the workforce is ready to meet the increasing demand for heat pump installations.

Note: Data referenced in this release is based on the number of individuals who have successfully completed one of the Heat Pump training courses that are eligible for the Heat Training Grant in 2023 compared to 2022. Outlined in tables 1, 2 and 3 here.

Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Smalley

Head of Policy and Communications

Email: Olivia.smalley@thehpa.org.uk

About the Heat Pump Association:

The HPA is the UK’s dedicated voice for the Heat Pump Sector, driving widespread deployment of heat pump technology throughout the UK. Our membership includes the country’s leading manufacturers of heat pumps, components, and associated equipment as well as energy companies, certification bodies, installers and training providers. We currently represent over 75 member organisations working in the heat pump sector, with our members representing around 85% of the volume of heat pumps sold in the UK market.

Heat Pump Association Reiterates Calls for Long Term Policy Certainty Following European Heat Pump Sales Decline

Recent data released by the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) on heat pump sales in 14 European countries shows an overall fall of around 5% in 2023 compared to 2022 figures. This reverses the trend of previous years, where combined sales increased annually.

The dropping sales come as the EU’s Heat Pump Action Plan, due to be published in early 2024 to support the sector, has been delayed by the European Commission until ‘a time to be decided’. In the meantime, changing national policy measures are unsettling investors and consumers.

The UK Heat Pump Association (HPA) calls on the UK Government to take heed of this decline. This downturn is primarily being attributed to policy uncertainty and the disparity is the price between electricity and gas, which are being felt within the UK market too.

“Whilst the UK saw a small but welcome growth of 4% in heat pump sales in 2023 compared to 2022, the latest statistics from the EHPA illustrate the uncertainty surrounding the sector and must act as a wake-up call for all stakeholders involved in the world’s transition to low carbon energy use.” stated the CEO of the HPA, Charlotte Lee.

“We need clear, consistent and decisive action from Governments across Europe and in the UK to reverse this overall decline, and as highlighted by the EHPA’s report, one of the biggest influencing factors is the price of electricity relative to gas. The lowest carbon heat must be the lowest cost heat to accelerate the transition to electrification.”

Within the HPA’s latest publications, ‘Unlocking Widescale Heat Pump Deployment in the UK’ and its proposal for an ‘Interim Domestic Heat Pump Tariff’, a series of policy enablers have been outlined to support the accelerated deployment of heat pumps within the UK and include the importance of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards being introduced in 2025, the role that clear fossil fuel phase-out dates have to play, energy rebalancing to reduce the price of electricity relative to gas, planning and grid connection reform along with the need to continue to support the development of a qualified competent installer network.

The HPA remains committed to working closely with the EHPA, UK policy officials and industry partners to accelerate the pathway of decarbonised heat.

Read more about the EHPA’s latest figures LINK

Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Smalley

Head of Policy and Communications

Email: Olivia.smalley@thehpa.org.uk

About the Heat Pump Association:

The HPA is the UK’s dedicated voice for the Heat Pump Sector, driving widespread deployment of heat pump technology throughout the UK. Our membership includes the country’s leading manufacturers of heat pumps, components, and associated equipment as well as energy companies, certification bodies, installers and training providers. We currently represent over 75 member organisations working in the heat pump sector, with our members representing around 85% of the volume of heat pumps sold in the UK market.

Heat Pump Association proposes a Domestic Heat Pump Tariff Discount.

The Heat Pump Association (HPA) has today published its latest research on options for overcoming the distortive impact of Environmental and Social Obligations on the domestic heating market. This report and extensive background analysis sets out the implications of a range of options to tackle one of the key challenges in the acceleration of heat pumps for domestic heating, running costs.

As the UK Government ambitiously pursues decarbonisation through increased heat pump adoption, the HPA’s report sheds light on a critical factor impacting the market, the high electricity prices in Great Britain, relative to gas, which is distorting the domestic heating market. Great Britain (GB) has one of the highest electricity to gas price ratios (3.97) in all of Europe, nearly double that of the EHPA recommended ratio of 2. A significant contributor to high electricity prices is the disproportionate application in Great Britain of Environmental and Social Obligations – often referred to by Government as “policy costs” and known commonly as “levies”. Domestic electricity consumers, bear around 85% of these levies, which means a typical heat pump consumer pays £170 more than an equivalent gas boiler consumer in levy costs per annum.

The Government has committed to outlining a clear approach to gas vs. electricity price ‘rebalancing’ by the end of 2023/4 and agreed with the Skidmore Review recommendation that significant progress affecting relative prices should be made by the end of 2024. In response to this challenge, the HPA calls on the Government to introduce a temporary Domestic Heat Pump Tariff Discount to counteract the distortion in the domestic heating market caused by levies on electricity bills, which acts contrary to their wider decarbonisation goals.

The discount will reduce the price of electricity used for domestic heating or hot water produced by hydronic heat pumps to an amount equivalent to exempting that proportion of electricity from levies. Starting at 5p/kWh in 2024/25- 2025-26 and rising to 6p/kWh in real terms in 2026/27, the discount is estimated to require a maximum of £533m of discounted costs over three years. The HPA propose that this should be introduced quickly as an interim measure to bridge the gap between today’s situation, and the time when wider electricity market reform is completed.

Commenting on the release, HPA CEO, Charlotte Lee said:

“Our research provides a roadmap to address the current distortion in the domestic heating market, which is undoubtedly hindering heat pump deployment. Reducing the price and electricity relative to gas is the sector’s number one policy ask. Action must be taken to change the energy price signals so that the lowest carbon heat is the lowest cost heat, which in turn will accelerate the deployment of heat pumps, and support the government’s decarbonisation goals.”

Additionally, Craig Dolan, HPA Chair noted:

“The proposed Domestic Heat Pump Tariff Discount strategically bridges the gap between the current situation and the more complex, wider electricity market reform arrangements which whilst necessary will take considerable time. The introduction of a Heat Pump Tariff Discount will make heat pumps a more compelling financial proposition to consumers, and will drive a significant shift towards a greener and more efficient heating landscape.”

Jozefien Vanbecelaere, head of EU affairs at the European Heat Pump Association said:

“Every consumer wants bang for their buck, and to get it on a heat pump the price of electricity should be no more than twice the price of gas. Reducing taxes and levies on the electricity bill and supporting consumers in the switch to electrification is long overdue. Governments across Europe need to act today so households and businesses can move to clean and sustainable heating at a wallet-friendly cost.”

James Dyson, Senior Researcher at E3G said:

“Reducing heat pump running costs is crucial to make clean heat affordable, desirable, and accessible for all UK households. A targeted exemption on levies for clean heating does just this, making heat pumps as affordable to run as a gas boiler. It also has a relatively low price tag for the government, meaning this approach represents great value to accelerate the transition to net zero.”

To read the report in full click here

Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Smalley

Head of Policy and Communications

Email: Olivia.smalley@thehpa.org.uk

About the Heat Pump Association:

The HPA is the UK’s dedicated voice for the Heat Pump Sector, driving widespread deployment of heat pump technology throughout the UK. Our membership includes the country’s leading manufacturers of heat pumps, components, and associated equipment as well as energy companies, certification bodies, installers and training providers. We currently represent over 75 member organisations working in the heat pump sector, with our members representing around 85% of the volume of heat pumps sold in the UK market.

Heat Pump Association applauds newly announced Government support for warmer homes

The Heat Pump Association (HPA) commends the UK Government’s proactive stance on energy efficiency and warmer homes with the announcement of a comprehensive package of measures, signaling a significant step towards a low-carbon future. Today’s unveiling of a further £1.545 billion for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme from 2025-2028, among other initiatives, reflects a commitment to driving low-carbon heating, reducing carbon emissions and assisting households in England and Wales to transition to heat pumps.

Furthermore, a new £400 million energy efficiency grant, set to launch in 2025, will enable households in England to make impactful changes such as upgrading to bigger radiators or implementing better insulation- more details to follow. This grant, coupled with the proposals outlined in the Future Homes and Building Standard, consultation, reinforces the government’s commitment to ensuring that all homes are energy-efficient and reduce carbon emissions.

Other notable announcements include:

A new local authority retrofit scheme, allocated £500m to support up to 60,000 low-income and cold homes, including those off the gas grid.
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, allocated £1.25 billion to support up to 140,000 social homes to be retrofitted.
The Green Heat Network Fund, allocated £485 million to help up to 60,000 homes and buildings access affordable, low-carbon heating through new heat networks.
The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme, allocated £45 million to improve around 100 existing heat networks.
An additional allocation of £15 million to the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator programme.

Commenting on the announcement, Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of the Heat Pump Association said:

“The £1.545bn confirmed additional funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for 2025-2028 is a very welcome boost for the heat pump sector. It shows a clear commitment to supporting the deployment of heat pumps and is equivalent to a 240% uplift in current annual funding. Whilst the boost for the future BUS is very welcome, we would like to see a firm commitment from the Government to increase the 2024-2025 BUS budget which remains at £150m and at that level, risks restricting growth in the market during this time.

The popularity of the BUS since the grant uplift in October 2023, has demonstrated the public understands the benefits of moving away from fossil fuels to heat pumps and will commit to changing the way they heat their homes when it makes financial sense to do so. We call on the Government to urgently take meaningful steps to reduce the price of electricity, in line with their commitments, to further support the economic case for change and to enable meaningful, sustainable growth in heat pump installations.”

Our recently published paper ‘Unlocking Widescale Heat Pump Deployment in the UK’ called for the government to commit to budgets for the Boiler upgrade scheme during 2025-2028 so it is a welcome move to see the Government confirm this. The Heat Pump Association welcomes the government’s commitment and looks forward to collaborating on the detailed implementation of these initiatives.

More details of today’s announcements can be found here.

Read the HPA’s paper on ‘Unlocking Widescale Heat Pump Deployment’ here.

Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Smalley

Head of Policy and Communications

Email: Olivia.smalley@thehpa.org.uk

About the Heat Pump Association:

The HPA is the UK’s dedicated voice for the Heat Pump Sector, driving widespread deployment of heat pump technology throughout the UK. Our membership includes the country’s leading manufacturers of heat pumps, components, and associated equipment as well as energy companies, certification bodies, installers and training providers. We currently represent over 75 member organisations working in the heat pump sector, with our members representing around 85% of the volume of heat pumps sold in the UK market.

Unlocking Widescale Heat Pump Deployment in the UK: Heat Pump Association’s Landmark Report reveals path to greener future.

The Heat Pump Association is proud to release its newest report, ‘Unlocking Widescale Heat Pump Deployment in the UK’, providing a comprehensive roadmap and collection of policy recommendations for accelerating the adoption of heat pumps in the United Kingdom.

As the UK Government considers how to meet its legally binding net-zero emissions target by 2050, it is clear there is a critical need for highly efficient and sustainable solutions in the heating sector. Heat pumps are emerging as the cornerstone of this transition, offering extremely efficient, low carbon alternatives to classic heating systems for both residential and commercial applications.

Craig Dolan, Chair of the Heat Pump Association emphasised the importance of the report, stating, ‘As a low carbon solution, heat pumps can be more than three times more efficient than fossil fuel boilers[1] and switching to heat pumps in the UK can reduce heating emissions by up to 75%, equivalent to all the territorial emissions of Denmark in 2021. [2] This report is a call to action for stakeholders, policymakers and industry players to come together in making heat pump technology a cornerstone of the UK’s sustainable energy landscape.’

Key Highlights of the report:

Comprehensive analysis: The report offers a thorough examination of the current state of the heat pump industry in the UK, outlining existing barriers, opportunities, and the economic benefits of mass adoption.
Policy Recommendations: It provides a clear set of well-researched policy recommendations aimed at creating an environment conducive to widespread heat pump deployment. These recommendations are backed by extensive research and the expertise of HPA’s well-versed membership.

Mark Wilkins, Vice-Chair of the Heat Pump Association said: This is a fantastic report outlining a comprehensive set of policy recommendations which if implemented, would provide investors, manufacturers, installers and consumers with confidence in the sector. We are confident that these insights will positively support policy development, propelling us towards a cleaner, greener tomorrow.’

Charlotte Lee, CEO of the Heat Pump Association, highlighted the significance of collaboration in creating this report, saying, ‘It’s been immensely gratifying to work collaboratively with our members and industry partners to produce this report. It reflects the collective dedication and expertise of our community in driving positive change for our environment and economy. Further policy support and political commitment are essential to support the sector in working towards the Government ambition to install 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028. We urge policymakers, current and future, to take heed of these recommendations.’

The full report; ‘Unlocking Widescale Heat Pump Deployment in the UK’, is available for download at: http://hpa-bye-bye-divi.local/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/HPA-Unlocking-Widescale-Heat-Pump-Deployment-in-the-UK.pdf

Read the Executive Summary and Key Policy recommendations here: http://hpa-bye-bye-divi.local/resources/industry-reports/

For more information on the Heat Pump Association visit: http://hpa-bye-bye-divi.local/

[1] Energy Systems Catapult, Electrification of Heat UK demonstration project, Accessed 2023

[2] Ritchie, Hannah & Roser, Max (2020) CO2 emissions

Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Smalley (Head of Policy and Communications)

Email: Olivia.smalley@thehpa.org.uk

HPA welcomes MCS Scheme Redevelopment Consultation outcome

MCS have published their response to the MCS Scheme Redevelopment Consultation which closed on the 17 July 2023. The Heat Pump Association supported the broad principles of the consultation and the shift towards a focus on delivered quality within the industry.

MCS have published their response to the MCS Scheme Redevelopment Consultation which closed on the 17 July 2023. The Heat Pump Association supported the broad principles of the consultation and the shift towards a focus on delivered quality within the industry.

We are pleased to note that the majority of our considerations, suggestions and recommendations that were raised in HPA’s response, have been acted upon, with key changes to the scheme including:

Support for Delivered Quality: Focusing audits and assessments on site to verify delivered quality and introducing a risk-based assessment regime will help support good quality, compliant and consistent heat pump installations.
Consumer Code Membership: The HPA welcomes the removal of consumer code membership requirements whilst calling on MCS to make good on their promise to fulfil this role.
Require Technical responsibility for each installation: By requiring a technical supervisor for each installation responsible for assuring compliance and sign off, of an installation.
Pending certification: It is pleasing to see that MCS have discarded the idea of a ‘bond’ to enable pending certification which was viewed as a barrier to entry, and are considering other options such as simulated assessment centres linked to on-site assessments.
MCS Guarantee: The HPA fully supports the concept of an MCS Guarantee, seeing it as a welcome replacement for Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBG).

With a target launch date of the new scheme set for spring or early summer 2024, HPA calls on MCS to act swiftly and set out clear, realistic timescales to enable the industry to react. A suite of new documents outlining these changes is to be published before the end of this year.

Responding to the consultation response, HPA CEO, Charlotte Lee said, “We welcome and support MCS’s proactive approach to redeveloping the installer certification scheme, making it work better for the industry. The changes set out in the consultation response are a significant step towards enhancing support for compliant, safe and optimised heat pump installations and to strengthen trust and confidence from consumers. This is vital as we continue to grow heat pump deployment in line with decarbonisation targets. We look forward to continuing work with MCS and our members ahead of the targeted publication of documents by the end of the year and the launch of the updated scheme in 2024.”

To read the consultation outcome in full click here.

Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Smalley (Head of Policy and Communications)

Email: Olivia.smalley@thehpa.org.uk