ACR Journal

August | September 2020 HEAT PUMPS 34 Funding for energy-saving projects seen as a step in the right direction... but there are warnings that more action is needed. Industry welcomes Green Homes Grant Volume 6 No.5 Industry groups and businesses have welcomed the Government’s announcement of a fund to support energy-saving improvements to UK homes, although many called for further measures. Chancellor Rishi Sunak outlined the investment as part of a wider recovery from the Covid-19 crisis which will see households able to access subsidies for upgrades such as heat pumps, insulation, double glazing, lighting or new boilers. The grant scheme is expected to be launched via an online application process in September and will see two-thirds of the cost of eligible projects met by the government, up to a maximum of £5,000. The limit for poorer households is £10,000 and these homeowners may not be required to make a contribution. Graham Wright, Chairman of the Heat Pump Association (HPA), said: “There is a lot of detail to iron out here, however, it appears there is something for landlords, homeowners and those who campaign on behalf of low-income households. Although the amount of money is smaller than that promised for Home Upgrade Grants in the manifesto, it is being brought forward and should be spent sooner with bigger impact than the sector could have hoped for.” Regarding the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme that will oer grants to bodies including schools and hospitals to fund both energy eciency and low carbon heat upgrades, Wright said: “The amount of funding here is significant. With local authorities and other public bodies engaged in a race to declare a climate emergency in recent years, I would expect strong interest in funding that could be used to achieve these ambitions. It will be interesting to see how this funding could be combined, for example with Renewable Heat Incentive payments or the Heat Networks Investment Project.” Bean Beanland, Chairman of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association and founder member of the Heat Pump Federation, said: “It’s hugely significant that the Chancellor has acknowledged the important role that the “green economy” can play as part of the post-Covid recovery. “The heat pump industry will readily work with Government to deliver a high value investment plan that will get the UK moving to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonise heat and create new skilled jobs up and down the country. Our members and our sector’s new training programmes, worked up with industry-wide collaboration, can ensure the highest quality deployment, provide upskilling for existing fossil fuel engineers and technicians and apprenticeship opportunities, and deliver a lasting legacy of near zero emissions heating and cooling in our homes and workplaces.” “All that said, we ask Government to provide the heat pump sector with a clear and consistent policy framework that will enable our members, the wider supply chain and, crucially, the commercial customers and homeowners, to invest their money with confidence. This is a golden opportunity to contribute to the two biggest challenges of our time - the economic recovery and climate change, and is one that we cannot aord to waste. Heat pumps are a proven technology, and their deployment can be scaled up if the right long-term strategic polices are put in place.” Max Halliwell, Communications Manager for Residential Heating at Mitsubishi Electric , said: “The announcement signals that the government has heard and understands the role that renewable heating, power and green measures will have in helping build Britain back up post the Covid-19 crisis. “The measures outlined go some way to addressing this. In addition to these measures, the installation of renewable heating technologies, such as heat pumps, up and down the country will not only help homeowners reduce their own carbon emissions from home heating, but provide valuable jobs creation as plumbers, installers, manufacturers and apprentices upskill and reskill in a technology that is going to be vital for future homes.