Heat pump growth stalls as government support cut, warns climate watchdog

Heat pump growth stalls as government support cut, warns climate watchdogImage source, Getty ImagesByEsme Stallard and Justin RowlattClimate and science teamPublished1 minute agoInstallations of heat pumps in the UK grew just 7% last year - down from a bumper 56% in 2024 - in a worrying sign for government climate efforts.The UK's independent climate advisors published the figures on Wednesday as part of its update on the country's progress to reduce planet-warming emissions.The fall in sales comes after the government withdrew a controversial grant scheme to help poorer households install the technology - which can help tackle emissions by heating homes using electricity instead of gas.Overall, carbon emissions continued to fall, the advisors said, putting the UK in a "leading group of countries"- but slow progress in home heating risks future targets being missed.Why cheap power could matter more than clean power in the push for net zeroPublished16 AprilRise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'Published18 MayUK electric car sales target set to be weakenedPublished14 JuneAlmost a fifth of the country's emissions come from the way that we heat our homes. The vast majority of households currently use gas boilers, but the government's ambition is to move most properties over to heat pumps. These run on electricity rather than gas which can be generated from green energy sources like solar and wind.However for most, heat pumps are prohibitively expensive to install. The government does have the Boiler Upgrade Scheme which offers a £7,500 grant upfront towards the cost of the technology but that can still leave households more than £2,500 to pay.And the government removed the ECO scheme which provided heat pumps fully funded to lower-income homes after reports of botched installations.30,000 homes fitted with botched insulationThe Committee and the industry have said a new grant system needs to be provided but also...