Businesses that fit heat pumps say they could lose work if the government reduces funding for the boiler upgrade scheme in Wednesday's budget, as it is understood to be planning, The Guardian reports.
The scheme, launched in 2022, offers grants of up to £9,000 towards replacing fossil fuel or direct electric heating with low-carbon systems such as heat pumps. One installer in Watford told the paper that around three-quarters of his customers rely on the grant, calling it the foundation of his business.
Heating buildings produces nearly a fifth of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions, according to government figures. Britain also trails much of Europe on take-up: the UK has about 3.5 heat pumps for every 1,000 households, compared with 632 in Norway. Installers fear demand will fall sharply if households have to bear more of the cost themselves.
Source: The Guardian
