UK Seeks to Boost Heat Pump Myths
The United Kingdom currently trails behind other European nations in heat pump installations. However, the government is optimistic that addressing and debunking prevalent myths could significantly change this trend.
To spearhead this initiative, the UK government has enlisted the expertise of the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), often referred to as the “nudge unit.” This team is dedicated to reshaping public perceptions and combating widespread misconceptions about heat pumps, a key clean technology.
the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “We want to help people get a heat pump as families can save around £100 a year compared to a gas boiler by using a smart tariff effectively. We also recently announced plans to remove planning constraints on heat pump installations to make them easier to install. This research examines how public opinion about heat pumps might be impacted by reports in news and social media. The findings are being reviewed and will be published in due course.”
One of the primary misunderstandings circulating in the media is the belief that heat pumps are ineffective in colder climates and unsuitable for older or historic buildings. These myths have hindered the adoption of heat pump technology across the UK.
In a move to encourage the use of renewable energy solutions, last year the government announced the easing of planning regulations for protected buildings in England. This change allows for the installation of heat pumps and solar panels in nearly three million properties. These relaxed rules are part of broader efforts to achieve the UK’s net-zero emissions targets, with an ambitious goal of installing 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028.
Chief executive of Historic England, Duncan Wilson, said: that listed buildings “can and must accommodate change” to help the country hit net-zero targets.
Heat pumps are a staple in homes across countries like Norway and Sweden, where they thrive even in some of Europe’s harshest winters. Contrary to popular belief, a recent study has shown that heat pumps remain more efficient than traditional electric heating even when temperatures drop to -30°C. This highlights their potential effectiveness in the UK’s climate.
So, why haven’t heat pumps become as popular in the UK? Heat pumps operate by extracting energy from the air, ground, or water and converting it into heating or cooling through a highly efficient refrigerant cycle. For every unit of energy consumed, they can produce approximately three units of heat, making them an energy-efficient choice.
Despite these advantages, the UK has yet to embrace heat pumps widely. A significant barrier has been the persistent myth that they underperform in cold weather. However, countries with high adoption rates of heat pumps, such as Norway (60% of households), Sweden (43%), Finland (41%), and Estonia (34%), demonstrate that these systems are reliable even in extreme cold.
The recent relaxation of planning rules in England is expected to facilitate the broader installation of heat pumps. Owners of listed buildings—structures recognized for their special architectural or historic interest—no longer need to navigate the cumbersome process of obtaining individual permissions for installing energy-efficient technologies. Instead, local councils can approve green technology installations across entire neighborhoods, provided that the additions are discreet and not visually intrusive.
Residents have welcomed these changes, as previous planning restrictions were a significant obstacle to retrofitting homes with sustainable technologies. The cumbersome and lengthy approval process often deterred homeowners from taking advantage of financial incentives designed to promote green upgrades.
To further encourage adoption, the government enhanced the Boiler Upgrade Scheme on October 23, 2023, increasing the grant to £7,500 for both air source and ground source heat pumps. Homeowners replacing fossil fuel heating systems with installations capable of up to 45kWth are eligible for this generous support.
However, a public consultation by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) revealed that the “conditional remediations” required for listed buildings can be prohibitively expensive, posing a challenge for some property owners looking to install heat pumps.
Overall, the UK is taking significant strides to promote heat pump technology as part of its commitment to a sustainable future. By addressing misconceptions and easing regulatory barriers, the government hopes to see a substantial increase in heat pump installations across the country in the coming years.