The Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has concluded from its inquiry into the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme that the scheme is failing to deliver on its objectives, following a disappointingly low take-up of grants.

In a letter sent to Lord Callanan, Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Committee warns that if the current take-up rate continues, only half of the allocated budget will be used to help households switch to low-carbon heating systems and a healthy market of installers and manufacturers will not be in place in time to implement low-carbon heating policy measures smoothly.

The Committee found that public awareness of low-carbon heating systems is limited, and in any case, there is a shortage of heat-pump installers and independent advice for homeowners. Moreover, “misleading messages”, including from the Government, are negatively affecting take-up of established low-carbon home heating technologies like heat pumps.

The inquiry also acknowledges that the electricity usage of heat pumps has meant that running costs are only now becoming competitive with gas boilers, and progress is urgently needed through electricity market reform to ensure running costs are affordable. This has resulted in some disappointment with heat pumps, and negative reviews of their use.

The Committee is calling on the Government to provide greater clarity to industry and consumers on feasible options for low-carbon home heating through a consistent policy framework, public communications, and householder advice. It also admits that the Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) methodology id flawed and needs reform.

Controversially, given the noise of some pumps, it is also calling for a relaxation of the requirement arising from Permitted Development Rights to site a heat pump a certain distance from neighbouring properties.

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