UK interest in heat pumps continues to rise
24th May 2024
UK: Interest in heat pumps continues with rising numbers of installations reported under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and record applications for grants under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).
Applications for BUS grants were reported to be up 93% last month, compared to April 2023, while more than 4,500 MCS-certified heat pump installations were recorded in April – a 68% increase on April 2023 and the third-best month for heat pumps in the scheme’s history.
The BUS grant, which was recently raised to £7,500, is only available in England and Wales. The MCS figures cover every certified installation across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The increased grant as well as cheaper heat pump electricity tariffs are seen as helping to drive BUS applications, with heat pump applications almost doubling year-on-year. More than £148m is said to have been paid out since the scheme started in May 2022.
More than 4,500 certified heat pump installations were recorded in April by MCS, making it the third-best month for heat pumps in the scheme’s history.
“Average monthly heat pump installations this year are 32% higher compared to 2023, setting the stage for what looks to be another record-breaking year for the technology,” commented MCS CEO Ian Rippin.
“The BUS, which requires installations to be MCS certified to qualify for the grant, remains a critical part of the drive to make low-carbon heating more accessible and affordable.”
To the end of April this year, the MCS has recorded 19,759 heat pump installations so far, a 64% increase on the 12,027 for the same period last year.
