UK Heat Pump Installations Rise 7% After Grant Withdrawal, Threatening Climate Targets
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 23
UK Heat Pump Installations Rise 7% After Grant Withdrawal, Threatening Climate Targets
1 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 23
Summary
UK heat pump installations grew just 7% last year, a sharp slowdown from 56% growth in 2024, according to the Climate Change Committee's latest progress update.
The drop followed the removal of the ECO scheme, which had fully funded heat pumps for lower-income households; the remaining Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500, but many homes still face more than £2,500 in upfront costs.
Home heating produces nearly a fifth of UK emissions, and the advisers warned that weak progress in replacing gas boilers could jeopardize future climate targets even as overall national emissions keep falling.
Electric vehicles offered a contrast: one in four new cars bought in the UK is now an EV, though industry says more than £10 billion in discounts since 2024 has propped up demand.
The committee also flagged slow action in farming and aviation, underscoring broader pressure on the government as the UK faces extreme-heat alerts with temperatures nearing 40C.