Britain is currently ranked last out of 21 European countries for the installation of heat pumps, a crucial technology in the fight against climate change. In order to catch up with France, the UK needs to experience an exponential increase in the heat pump market. The UK government has set a goal of installing 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028, which means they must achieve a ten-fold increase in deployment within the next five years.
According to data from the European Heat Pump Association, the UK only installed 1.9 heat pumps per 1,000 households in 2022. In comparison, France installed 20.01 heat pumps per 1,000 households, while Finland installed 69.3 heat pumps per 1,000 households.
A new report highlights the actions taken by the French government to prioritize electrifying heat over gas and oil during disruptions in the global energy markets. The introduction of financial incentives by Emmanuel Macron’s government led to a significant increase in air-to-water heat pump installations in France, resulting in the creation of over 30,000 full-time jobs in the heat pump industry by 2019. Furthermore, the number of heat pump sales in France increased from 100,000 in 2010 to over 600,000 in 2022.
In contrast, the UK only had 2,000 jobs supported by the heat pump industry in 2019, and a mere fraction of the heat pump installations seen in France. The MCS Charitable Foundation emphasizes the need for the UK to experience an exponential growth in the heat pump market in order to catch up with France. This growth could potentially create up to 50,000 new jobs and contribute to reductions in energy bills and carbon emissions.
To achieve this, the charity calls on the UK government to implement several measures, including making heat pumps mandatory for all new homes, expanding grants for homeowners to install heat pumps, introducing new loan schemes, and launching a comprehensive consumer awareness campaign to facilitate access to funding.
David Cowdrey, director of external affairs at the MCS Charitable Foundation, emphasizes the importance of capitalizing on the potential of heat pumps, stating that the UK must step up its efforts to keep pace with other countries like France. The government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme and zero-rated VAT on heat pumps have made progress, but more comprehensive policy measures are needed, such as mandating solar and heat pumps for all new builds, in order to meet the government’s targets and create a thriving heat pump market.
Charlotte Lee, chief executive of the Heat Pump Association, highlights the stark difference between the French and UK heat pump markets. She attributes France’s success to clear and decisive government policies, including strict new-build standards, compelling grants for consumers to choose heat pumps, low electricity prices, investment in installer training, and the phase-out of fossil fuel boilers. Lee emphasizes the need for similar action in the UK, such as the implementation of Future Homes and Buildings Standards, clear timelines for ending the sale of new fossil fuel boilers, lower electricity prices, and improved training and standards across the heating industry.
In conclusion, the UK faces a significant challenge in catching up with France in the installation of heat pumps. However, with swift and decisive action by the UK government, there is still time to meet the target of installing 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028. This action would not only drive economic growth and job creation but also contribute to carbon reduction and lower energy bills for households.
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