New heat pump applications for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme have surged after the government increased its grant for installing a new heat pump to £7,500.
More families are choosing to ditch fossil fuel boilers for a cleaner alternative after the government increased its Boiler Upgrade Scheme by 50% for new heat pumps – making it one of the most generous schemes in Europe.
The number of new applications to the scheme in the first week since the grant uplift reached 1,150 – more than three times higher than the average weekly rate before the change.
In the subsequent three weeks, new heat pump applications have remained nearly 60% higher than the previous weekly average.
Surging heat pump applications come amidst a new report detailing their benefits
The increase in heat pump applications comes alongside new independent research confirming heat pumps are generally rated as quiet, with a majority of those surveyed saying they did not notice the sound.
The review found complaints from neighbours are rare – with people far more likely to hear the noise of traffic and dogs barking over the sound of nearby heat pumps.
Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, explained: “This fantastic increase in applications through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme demonstrates not only the desire for heat pumps in this country but also that our approach to reach net zero works.
“We want more families to enjoy the more stable bills and cleaner heating that heat pumps have to offer – and today’s evidence that heat pumps make minimal noise is yet another reason to make the switch.”
Today’s report examining the sound coming from heat pumps follows significant advances in reducing noise levels. The report concludes that heat pumps are now very quiet – with sound levels similar to a gas boiler or fridge.
Extensive research was carried out for the independent study by acoustic experts who reviewed existing data and interviewed households, installers, manufacturers, industry bodies, and local authority planning officers.
How does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme work?
Currently some households need to seek full planning permission to install heat pumps.
However, the report recommends a change in planning rules to make it easier for households to install them under permitted development rights – while also strengthening heat pump noise assessments conducted by installers to continue protecting the public from noise pollution.
The government announced, in last week’s Autumn Statement, that it will consult on introducing new permitted development rights to end the blanket restriction on heat pumps one metre from a property boundary in England.
“The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has already done wonders to kickstart a nascent heat pump industry and drive hundreds of millions of pounds of private sector investment in the UK,” said Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product & Marketing Officer at Octopus Energy Group.
“Since the increase in the grant was announced, we’ve seen five times more heat pump applications from our customers, and we’ve even been able to offer some installations for free.”
Customers don’t have to apply for grants through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and can check if their home is eligible on GOV.UK.
