Responding to today’s announcement by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on updates to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, Stew Horne, head of policy at Energy Saving Trust said:
“These announcements paint a mixed picture both for consumers and the industry.
“Confirmation that the Clean Heat Market Mechanism is to be delayed is disappointing as this would play an important role in reducing the upfront cost of heat pumps for households.
“By contrast, removing barriers to help increase take up of Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding is a positive step. However, people will still need help to identify what’s right for their homes and that’s why providing access to impartial, personalised advice needs to play a key role in accelerating the roll-out of heat pumps.
“Finally, there’s still a lack of policies which bring down the running cost of heat pumps to make them more attractive to consumers than gas boilers. The price of electricity must be lowered by removing legacy support costs from electricity bills and improving flexible energy incentives so homes can use electricity when it’s cheapest.”
