Key facts
- Government subsidies for heat pumps are reportedly facing cuts.
- The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants of up to £9,000.
- About 75% of Sustain Homes' customers use subsidies.
- Norway has 632 heat pumps per 1,000 households; the UK has 3.5.
- Heat in buildings accounts for nearly a fifth of UK emissions.
UK heat pump installers are bracing for potential cuts to government subsidies, fearing a significant blow to their businesses and the nascent industry. Businesses like Sustain Homes, where about 75% of customers rely on grants, warn that removing financial support would be 'extremely damaging'. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers up to £9,000 for low-carbon heating systems, is reportedly under threat in an upcoming budget, despite growing household interest in sustainable home warming. Installers argue that without subsidies, the cost-effectiveness argument for heat pumps over cheaper fossil fuel boilers will disappear, mirroring the sharp drop in business seen after previous schemes closed. Concerns also extend to manufacturers and the training of future installers.