Heat pumps ‘not on the radar’ for most of the UK, warns Huhne
High demand for Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme sees 1,463 vouchers handed out in first month.
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has put his weight behind a new set of guidelines designed to boost investor confidence in heat pump technologies, which are “off the radar” for most people in the UK.
Huhne launched a set of updates to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme MIS3005 guidelines late last week, which are designed to ensure that air and heat pump installers select the right devices for customers.
The UK is currently trailing behind market leaders such as France, Germany and Sweden in terms of the number of heat pumps installed. But the European Heat Pump Association sees the UK as the number one market for new investment, with significant potential to grow.
Huhne claimed that the stricter standards, alongside the Renewable Heat Incentive, could help the UK achieve that goal.
“You only need to talk to the Chief Scientific Adviser for a few minutes before you realise how important heat pumps are. They can play a real part in our low-carbon future, yet for most people in the UK they’re entirely off the radar,” he said.
“Stronger standards can help transform their potential into reality. That’s why I’m delighted to give my wholehearted support to the revised heat pump installer standard.”
Alongside the revised standards, Huhne said that the government will carry out an awareness and training programme during the next two months to help installers adapt quickly.
The government hopes that the Renewable Heat Incentive will encourage greater uptake of heat pumps and other green heat technologies by helping to reduce the upfront costs to homes and businesses.
The Department for Communities and Local Government is also working to allow air source heat pumps to benefit from permitted development rights, meaning that they will be exempt from the planning system altogether.
Energy Savings Trust chief executive Philip Sellwood also revealed yesterday that the organisation is meeting high expectations for the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme, confirming that 1,463 vouchers were given out in the first month.
Air source heat pumps have been most popular at 511 vouchers, followed by 443 for solar thermal, 283 for ground-source heat pumps and 226 for biomass boilers.
Sellwood also urged social housing landlords to apply for a cut of a £3m pot to install renewable heat technologies in the homes of tenants. Applications close at noon on 15 September.
For more information on heat pumps, then contact Viridis on 0845 437 4484, or email info@viridisec.co.uk
With thanks to Business Green.