UK heat pump installs down in Q1
11th June 2026
UK: The total number of retrofit heat pump installations in the UK was down 18% in Q1 2026, compared to the previous quarter, and 22% down compared to the same period in 2025.
The latest figures from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) shows that installations of hydronic heat pumps with a capacity up to 45kW in Q1 was 10,693. While down on the same period last year, the number of retrofit installations in Q1 this year are more than double the same period five years ago.
The majority of retrofit heat pump installations in 2026 were air-to-water units. These totalled 10,625 – 99% of total installations.
The figures are largely based on the number of retrofit installations with government funding under the MCS certification as well as those that are self-funded. Installations of heat pumps with a thermal output larger than 45kW and the majority of installations in new-build properties are not included.
The largest proportion on retrofit heat pump installations in Q1 took place in the south east (18%), followed by the south west (14%) and the east of England (13%).
London has seen the biggest growth in the number of retrofit heat pump installations over the last five years, albeit from a low base. Its total of 507 installations is a 624% increase on the same quarter five years ago.
Sachin Vibhute, technical consultant and product training manager at LG Electronics, warned that the latest figures should act as a red flag. “Whilst boiler upgrade scheme applications continue to grow steadily, deployments are falling – this could point to a bottleneck developing in the installation of heat pumps,” he said. “What we can’t estimate is how much more rapidly the market could have scaled given greater investment into skills and training.
“Policy stability aligned with continued investment to develop skills and provide greater training is needed to help this market scale at a faster pace, fuelling both the economy and clean energy ambitions.”
However, Heat Pump Association UK chief executive Charlotte Lee said: “Whilst today’s statistics show an 18% decrease in domestic retrofit heat pump deployment between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, this is not the full picture.
The UK heat pump association’s own figures show that heat pump sales for heating buildings in Q1 2026 remained static compared to Q4 2025 and grew 5% compared to Q1 2025. When including domestic hot water heat pumps in this figure, sales increased by 17% comparing Q1 2025 to Q1 2026.
The HPA UK also points out that growth outside the domestic retrofit market has been driven by sales into new build following confirmation of the Future Homes and Buildings Standard. Installations in new build properties were 38% higher in Q1 2026 than Q1 2025, with the share of heat pump sales going into new builds rising from 55% to 61% between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.
It insists that the closure of the energy company obligation and slower deployment of heat pumps through the Warm Homes’ Social Housing Fund are directly impacting the domestic retrofit market.
“To maintain confidence, support investment and ensure heat pumps remain accessible to all, government must urgently clarify future support for low-income households and introduce the zero/low-interest consumer loans promised in the Warm Homes Plan,” Lee said.
