The government launched the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in October 2021 as part of the Heat and Buildings Strategy, which aims to make homes and businesses across the UK less carbon-based.

About a quarter of all carbon emissions in the UK come from heating. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is meant to be the first step away from gas and oil boilers and towards widespread use of low carbon heating systems.

All new heating systems in the UK must be low carbon by 2035, according to goals set by the government.

Numbers from the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme for February 2024 show that 75% more applications were made than in the same month in 2023.

More than 2,000 applications have been made every month since funds for air source and ground source heat pumps went up to £7,500.

It means that the average number of applications received each month from November 2023 to February 2024 is 45% more than it was before the grant increase.

 

Claire Coutinho, who is chief of energy security, said, “No family should be forced to make changes that aren’t right for them.” Heat pump grants have been raised by 50% to help people make their homes warmer and cut down on pollution without spending a lot of money. “Apps are up 75% from last year, which shows that our plan is working,” he said.

 

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said, “Demand for heat pumps is soaring, as we make it easier than ever to make the switch to electric heating without big upfront costs.”

“Our increased £7,500 grants are helping people make their homes warmer and cut down on pollution.” And the fact that applications are up 75% shows that our method is very popular with many families. 

 

As of the end of February, 35,741 applications had been submitted, and customers had received vouchers worth about £127 million from the programme. The government’s commitment to helping families is demonstrated by the rise in heat pump grants and the tax breaks the Chancellor included in the spring budget. 

The data coincides with the government’s Welcome Home to Energy Efficiency campaign, which keeps pushing the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and emphasising other broader energy-saving strategies that can be combined to reduce utility costs. 

They additionally adhere to the most current modifications made to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme requirements. The initiative will no longer require homeowners to install loft or cavity wall insulation, allowing them more freedom to upgrade their homes and possibly saving the approximate £2,500 cost of putting a heat pump on a semi-detached property.  

The UK government has also published a guide for potential heat pump owners, where industry experts answer frequently asked questions on heat pumps and their installation.