Heat Pumps Today

Info www.heatpumps.org.uk email: media@heatpumps.org.uk www.acrjournal.uk/heat-pumps 21 H E A T P U M P A S S O C I A T I O N U P D A T E The Government has also thankfully stated that newly installed or fully replaced heating systems in new build homes should operate at a flow temperature of 55°C or lower (unless ‘it is not feasible’). This is an important interim step in the preparation for the implementation of the FHS in 2025, not just because it will minimise the installation cost of heat pumps in future and limit barriers to uptake, but because it will improve the e„ciency of any heating system put in place at the time. Retrofitting Existing Homes Whilst heat pumps are an ideal solution for future-proofing new build homes from the get-go, we can’t forget that most of the homes that will be around in 2050 have already been constructed. However, it is essential that government support is provided to tackle the upfront cost barrier in existing homes. Financial support has of course been provided to households since 2014 through the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) but this scheme issued back payments to households once the technology was installed – remaining out of reach to those without the means to pay for an installation initially. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) due to launch on 23rd May will instead provide upfront grants to support the initial cost of a heat pump. The Heat Pump Association has long been calling for a financial incentive such as this and is hopeful that the high demand for heat pumps already demonstrated through RHI will continue. The Gap Between RHI and BUS We do however have a big concern around the timings of the scheme and gap between RHI and BUS. We have estimated that there would have been around 1,700 installations under the RHI between 31st March and 23rd May – when BUS o„cially begins. The scheme is open to any installation commissioned and MCS certificate issues from 1st April. However, it is unfair for installers to be expected to shoulder the cash flow burden that the gap poses, and many may hesitate to undertake heat pump installations under the new scheme due to concerns that they could be declined once the voucher application can eventually be submitted some six weeks later. We can only hope that the initial hesitation from installers will be temporary, and that confidence builds throughout the scheme’s duration. Phil Hurley, Chairman of the Heat Pump Association