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Public can’t afford heat pumps, says EUA

Most people could not afford or would not pay to have a heat pump installed in their property, says a new Energy & Utilities Alliance report.

The government is facing a consumer backlash over its plans for the mass roll-out of heat pumps to replace gas boilers, according to a report by the Energy & Utilities Alliance (EUA). Its Too Close to Home report found that although consumers support the idea of net-zero targets to combat climate change, they believe the current direction of government policy is unaffordable for them.

Installing heat pumps and other low-carbon technologies could cost £8,000-£14,000, the EUA says, which 80 per cent of people surveyed said was either too expensive and they couldn’t afford (54 per cent), or that they would only pay it with financial support (26 per cent).

Just 6 per cent were open to absorbing the costs of replacing their gas boilers with low-carbon technologies, even though 59 per cent agreed that decarbonising domestic heating and hot water should be a key focus in delivering the UK’s climate change objectives.

Excessive cost

EUA chief executive Mike Foster says: “The key issue here is affordability. The British public wants to do their bit, but the potential cost of the heat pumps is seen as excessive. Many consumers see a new boiler as a major expense, but the installation of a heat pump and associated equipment, such as hot water tanks, will dwarf this.

“Unless there is a rethink, the government risks a consumer backlash that will have a major impact on our ability to hit the UK’s climate change targets.”

The survey showed that nearly half of homeowners (47 per cent) are unwilling to use their savings to pay for low-carbon technologies; 40 per cent would expect a non-repayable grant to cover the full amount and a further 36 per cent would expect a grant to cover at least some of the cost.

Mike adds: “The British public is sending a clear message that it cannot afford to install heat pumps and make all the surrounding alterations that need to be made. Any government that attempts to force this through without significant financial support packages will be making a very brave, some would say reckless, decision. It is effectively the poll tax for heating.”

The report also makes clear that consumers expect a choice of energy sources in their home. Almost three-quarters (73 per cent) want both a gas and electricity connection, despite current government plans to ban gas boilers by 2035. More than 70 per cent would support the development of a low-carbon gas boiler that could be swapped with their existing boiler.

The full report is at eua.org. uk/too-close-to-home/

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