Government Minister visits British Gas customer receiving heat pump grant

24 May 2022

Sustainability

Jennifer Plews

Applications for the government’s new Boiler Upgrade Scheme are now open – and a representative from the government department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has visited a British Gas customer in St Albans planning to take advantage.

From this week, homeowners who replace their fossil-fuel powered boiler with a heat pump can apply for a £5,000 grant towards the upfront cost, in a landmark moment on the UK’s drive towards net zero carbon emissions.

Phil Adams and his family, in St Albans’ Cunningham Hill Road, are underway with their heat pump journey, and welcomed Business Minister Lord Callanan to their home when British Gas and Daikin came to carry out the survey.

The on-site survey is a critical stage in the heat pump installation process and determines the best solution to meet a household’s specific heating needs – as well as practicalities like where the system will be located, and how the heat will be distributed.

British Gas and world-leading heat pump manufacturer Daikin have recently formed a new partnership designed to increase take-up of renewable home heating technology, and are working together on air source heat pump projects across the UK.

Air source heat pumps are a highly efficient type of heating system, and generate more than three units of heat output for every unit of electricity they use.

The technology is widely recognised as the best immediate solution to decarbonise heating and hot water systems for millions of homes, and is critical to keeping the UK on track to achieve net zero by 2050.

"This is a key moment for the renewable heating market in the UK, as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme makes heat pumps more accessible to more people. We understand that everyone’s homes and individual circumstances differ, but for those who can, now is the time to look at renewable home heating – with support from us, and from Daikin."

Jana Siber, Managing Director, British Gas

"Installing a heat pump is a hugely positive change to make that will last for generations to come. Heat pumps are economical and eco-friendly, and make your home as comfortable – or even more comfortable – than a gas or oil boiler. It was great to have the minister with us when we met with Phil today. We hope he and his family spread the word in St Albans and beyond, as they enjoy the comfort benefits and cost savings delivered by their new system."

Henk van den Berg, Strategic Business Manager – Heating & Renewables, Daikin UK