Heat Pumps news from 2023
80 stories, newest first
- December 2023
Extra £1.5 billion for Boiler Upgrade Scheme announced
The government has allocated an extra £1.5 billion to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for 2025 to 2028, part of a £6 billion package for energy efficiency and low carbon heating.
Mitsubishi Electric launches Ecodan R290 heat pump at COP28
Mitsubishi Electric launched the Ecodan R290 heat pump, built in Livingston, Scotland, as COP28 delegates gathered, using a refrigerant with a global warming potential of three.
- November 2023
Consultation planned on permitted development rights for heat pumps in England
The government has confirmed it will consult on new permitted development rights to end the blanket one metre boundary restriction on heat pumps in England, alongside figures showing Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after the grant rose to £7,500.
Government confirms Clean Heat Market Mechanism plans
The government has confirmed a Clean Heat Market Mechanism for launch in 2025 and reported that Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after the grant rose to £7,500.
UK Government heat pump noise research findings published
Research into air source heat pump noise emissions was published on 30 November 2023, prompting a consultation on changes to the MCS-020 noise assessment standard.
MCS opens consultation on MCS 020 planning standard
MCS has opened a consultation on its MCS 020 planning standard for air source heat pumps, proposing changes to solid barrier definitions, background noise assumptions and location guidance, with comments due by 26 January 2024.
Heat Pump Association releases landmark heat pump deployment report
The Heat Pump Association has published a report setting out policy recommendations to speed up heat pump adoption in the UK, citing efficiency and emissions figures and the 600,000-a-year installation ambition.
Mixergy announces Heat Pump Interface v2
Mixergy has announced version two of its heat pump interface, which it says improves integration between its hot water cylinders and heat pumps and simplifies installation by using the heat pump's existing thermal probe.
Government announced consultation on removing the one metre boundary requirement for air source heat pumps
The government said at the Autumn Statement on 23 November 2023 that it would consult on removing the one metre boundary rule for air source heat pumps under permitted development rights.
BEAMA publishes Delivering low carbon heat policy document
BEAMA has published a policy document arguing that electrified heating, smart controls, insulation and reform of electricity costs are needed to decarbonise the UK's 28 million homes.
MCS reported planned Benchmark Online and MID integration
MCS has reported that Benchmark Online and the MCS Installations Database will be integrated, giving heat pump installers a single point of data entry for commissioning and certification.
Mixergy announces the Cube X cylinder
Mixergy has announced the Cube X, a compact smart cylinder for heating and hot water that the company says will need no G3 unvented certification and is due to arrive soon.
EDF completes acquisition of heat pump installer CB Heating
EDF has completed its acquisition of air source heat pump installer CB Heating, following a 2022 strategic investment, saying it will cut customer journey times and train more installers.
Mitsubishi Electric launches Ecodan R290 heat pump
Mitsubishi Electric has launched the Ecodan R290 heat pump, a propane-refrigerant model built at its Livingston factory in Scotland and announced on 13 November 2023.
Beta launch of Get a Heat Pump website
Nesta launched a beta version of the Get a Heat Pump website in November 2023 to test the tool with real users, and later worked with The MCS Foundation to develop it further.
Energy UK publishes analysis on cost of heat market inertia
Energy UK analysis published on 1 November 2023 finds that a two-year delay to heat pump rollout would mean 2.9 million fewer heat pumps by 2030 and £3 billion more gas imports between 2026 and 2030.
Passiv UK launches Greener Grid Payments for heat pump customers
Passiv UK has launched Greener Grid Payments, an automated service that pays its heat pump control customers for cutting power at peak times under the National Grid ESO Demand Flexibility Service.
- October 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended by 3 years to 2028
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will pay £7,500 towards a heat pump from today and now runs to 2028, three years longer than planned, the government has announced.
Which? responds to government's improved heat pump grant and energy efficiency campaign launch
Which? has welcomed the government's increase to heat pump grants and the launch of a home energy efficiency awareness campaign, saying cost and low awareness hold consumers back.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants increased by 50% to £7,500
Air source heat pump grants under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rose from £5,000 to £7,500 and ground source grants from £6,000 to £7,500 from 23 October 2023, with the scheme extended to 2028.
Citizens Advice responds to DESNZ consultation on Boiler Upgrade Scheme amendments
Citizens Advice has told the government it welcomes the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant uplift but opposes cuts to grants for some households and wants the scheme's overall budget clarified.
NIBE launches S735 Exhaust Air Heat Pump
NIBE has launched the S735 Exhaust Air Heat Pump, an all-in-one unit for heating, hot water and ventilation, with an A+++ rating and a published SCOP of 4.29.
Ecodan R290 heat pump launched
Mitsubishi Electric has said it will phase out its Ecodan R32 heat pumps and replace them with an extended Ecodan R290 range, after launching the R290 model in October 2023.
Environment Agency permit rules apply to new ground source heat pumps from 1 October 2023
Ground source heat pump installations completed after 1 October 2023 may require an Environment Agency permit, according to updated Planning Portal guidance for England.
Government confirms heat pumps and heat networks as primary low-carbon heating technology
The government confirmed in October 2023 that heat pumps and heat networks will be the primary low-carbon technologies for home heating over the next decade, with a key role in all pathways to 2050.
Heat and Buildings Strategy sets plan to end new fossil fuel boiler installations by 2035
Hydrogen UK has told the Public Accounts Committee that the October 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy plans to end new fossil fuel boiler installations by 2035, while warning that hydrogen heating trials have slipped.
MCS opened a consultation on changes to the MCS 020 Standard
MCS has opened a consultation on changes to the MCS 020 noise assessment standard, which permitted development rights for air source heat pumps reference, following a government-commissioned review of heat pump noise.
- September 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants increased by 50%
Grants for heat pumps under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rose by 50% from 23 October 2023, taking the air source and ground source rate to £7,500, with applications rising sharply afterwards.
Nesta calls on UK Government to keep 2035 gas boiler commitment
Nesta has urged the UK Government to keep its commitment that no new gas boilers are installed after 2035, warning that any retreat would raise costs and slow heat pump uptake.
Octopus Energy launches Cosy Octopus smart heating system with Cosy 6 heat pump
Octopus Energy has launched Cosy Octopus, a smart heating system built around its first in-house heat pump, the Cosy 6, with installations due to begin in December.
Which? and Octopus Energy launch solar panel and heat pump discount offer
Which? members can claim a 5% discount on solar panel or air-source heat pump installations booked through Octopus Energy, under an offer running until 15 December 2023.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grant increased to £7,500
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for heat pumps rose from £5,000 to £7,500 in September 2023, but the scheme's budget was not increased, so it will serve fewer homes.
Prime Minister announced change to gas boiler new-build policy
Rishi Sunak said in September 2023 that the aim was to cut gas boiler installations in new build homes by 80 per cent rather than ban them outright.
- August 2023
NIBE launches most powerful exhaust air heat pump yet
NIBE has launched its most powerful exhaust air heat pump yet, the company announced on 25 August 2023, extending the range of a technology it has previously won awards for.
Nesta publishes conclusion of European heat pump uptake comparison
Nesta's European heat pump comparison, published on 8 August 2023, concludes that air-to-air heat pumps dominate uptake across Europe while the Boiler Upgrade Scheme funds only air-to-water and ground-source models.
Mitsubishi Electric launches Versatile domestic hot water cylinder range
Mitsubishi Electric has launched the Versatile domestic hot water cylinder range in five capacities, designed for use with its Ecodan R32 heat pumps and controlled through MELCloud.
Mobile heat pump training facility launched at South Lanarkshire College
A Scottish Government funded mobile heat pump training centre, certified by BPEC, was launched at South Lanarkshire College on 2 August to train installers across Scotland.
Baxi launches new residential air source heat pump range
Baxi has launched the HP40 Monobloc air source heat pump range for UK homes, sold as a package with cylinders, controls, training and aftersales support.
Ideal Heating launched its first heat pump production line in Hull
Ideal Heating launched its first heat pump production line in Hull in August 2023, part of a wider investment programme that has since drawn government funding and further company spending.
- July 2023
Alpha launches Alpha Hydro packaged heat pump solution
Alpha has launched the Alpha Hydro, a packaged air source heat pump system pairing 5kW to 16kW single-phase units with a pre-plumbed cylinder and Smartech controls, aimed at retrofit and new build homes.
Panasonic adds Bi-Bloc units to Aquarea L Series heat pump range
Panasonic has added Bi-Bloc units to its Aquarea L Series of heat pumps, which run on the natural refrigerant R290 and can provide heating, hot water and cooling.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended to 2028
MCS reports that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended to 2028, alongside data showing Wales has overtaken Scotland for the highest uptake of small-scale renewables per household.
Nesta publishes policy plan for decarbonising home heating
Nesta has published a four-part policy plan for decarbonising UK home heating, covering a boiler phase-out date, cheaper electricity, installer growth and planning reform.
Government introduces £5 million Heat Pump Training Grant
The Heat Pump Association has reported a £5 million government training grant to retrain and upskill 10,000 engineers, alongside rising heat pump sales and Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications.
Mixergy announces collaboration with Kingspan Water & Energy
Mixergy has announced a collaboration with Kingspan Water & Energy to put its top-down heating technology into Kingspan's Range Tribune cylinder family, launching the Range Tribune MXi.
Viessmann launches lower output Vitocal 150/151-A air source heat pumps
Viessmann has added 4, 6 and 8 kW variants to its Vitocal 150-A and 151-A air source heat pump range, extending the line below the 10, 13 and 16 kW models it launched in 2022.
UK government reviews 600,000 heat pumps per year target
A July 2023 parliamentary briefing reviewed the government's target of 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028, noting that only 72,000 were fitted in 2022 and that barriers remain.
Heat Training Grant begins funding heat pump installer training
The £5 million Heat Training Grant has funded training for around 3,000 heat pump installers since July 2023, part of a wider push to build the installer base behind the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
- June 2023
NIBE's F2040 air source heat pump upgraded as F2050 is announced
NIBE has announced the F2050 air source heat pump as an upgrade to its F2040 model, in a product update listed on the manufacturer's UK news page.
Department for Infrastructure announces changes to permitted development rights for domestic heat pumps
Northern Ireland's Department for Infrastructure has amended permitted development rights so domestic air source heat pumps no longer need planning permission, subject to conditions, from 4 July 2023.
Sunamp and Trianco launch ActivAir Plus heat pump and heat battery package
Sunamp will supply its Thermino heat batteries to Trianco for the ActivAir Plus package, which pairs an air source heat pump with a heat battery and is now available nationwide.
New Build Heat Standard regulations laid in the Scottish Parliament
Scottish ministers have laid regulations for the New Build Heat Standard, which from 1 April 2024 will bar direct emissions heating in new buildings in Scotland.
Consultation on Clean Heat Market Mechanism closes
The government has finished consulting on the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, which would require boiler sellers to sell a quota of heat pumps for every boiler sold.
- May 2023
Panasonic launches Aquarea K Generation All in One heat pumps in T-CAP and High Performance variants
Panasonic has brought the All in One units of its Aquarea K Generation heat pump range to market in T-CAP and High Performance variants, with a seasonal efficiency figure of up to 5.12.
Panasonic Aquarea L Generation heat pumps available from spring 2023
Panasonic has confirmed that its Aquarea L Generation heat pumps, which use the natural refrigerant R290 with a global warming potential of 3, are available from spring 2023.
Zero rate for air source heat pumps extended to Northern Ireland
From 1 May 2023 the temporary zero rate of VAT on air source heat pumps and other qualifying energy-saving materials applies across the whole United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland.
- April 2023
£30 million Heat Pump Investment Accelerator launched
The Energy Plan of April 2023 set out a £30 million Heat Pump Investment Accelerator and extended the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2028, alongside a new insulation scheme for 300,000 homes.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended until 2028
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will run until 2028 under the Government's Powering Up Britain Energy Security Plan, keeping grants of up to £6,000 towards a heat pump in England and Wales.
Government launches Clean heat market mechanism consultation
The government has opened a consultation on its Clean heat market mechanism, seeking views on a market-based scheme intended to grow the number of heat pumps installed in existing premises.
Government publishes heat pump net zero investment roadmap
The government has published a heat pump investment roadmap setting out an expectation of at least 600,000 installations a year by 2028 and up to £28 billion of supply chain investment.
Heat Pump Investment Roadmap published
The government has published a Heat Pump Investment Roadmap setting out how it intends to grow UK heat pump installations from 55,000 a year in 2021 to 600,000 a year by 2028.
- March 2023
Government announces extension of Boiler Upgrade Scheme until 2028
The government has announced a three-year extension of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2028, alongside a £30 million heat pump investment accelerator and a new insulation scheme.
Government releases consultation on clean heat market mechanism
The government has opened a consultation on a clean heat market mechanism, alongside a Boiler Upgrade Scheme extension to 2028 and £30 million for heat pump manufacturing.
Mitsubishi Electric launches new Pre-Plumbed Cylinder range
Mitsubishi Electric has launched a revised range of unvented pre-plumbed hot water cylinders in eight standard and slimline variants, sized from 150L to 300L, to pair with its residential heat pumps.
Government announces over £14 million to accelerate low carbon heating rollout
The government has announced more than £14 million for low carbon heating, with £9.7 million for four Heat Pump Ready projects and a £5 million grant to train 10,000 installers.
Government consultation published on boiler standards, hydrogen-ready boilers and hybrids
A government consultation on minimum boiler standards, a 2026 mandate for hydrogen-ready gas boilers and the role of boiler-heat pump hybrids has been published, with responses due by 21 March 2023.
- February 2023
E3G publishes recommendations ahead of the UK Spring Budget 2023
E3G has published budget recommendations calling for a ten-year funding pledge and fairer distribution of public money for energy efficiency and heat pumps across the UK.
Study finds green hydrogen heating two to three times more expensive than heat pumps in Europe
An ETH Zürich study published in Energy Conversion and Management finds that heating homes with green hydrogen would cost roughly two to three times more than using electric heat pumps across the EU and UK.
Mitsubishi Electric launches expanded commercial and residential heat pump range
Mitsubishi Electric has added two commercial heat pumps to its renewable heating range and says it now offers the widest line-up of commercial and residential heat pumps on the UK market.
Cadent publishes cost comparison of heat pump and hydrogen heating
Cadent has published a cost comparison arguing that decarbonising home heating is not a straight choice between heat pumps and hydrogen, and that hydrogen could be cheaper for some homes.
British Gas launches heat pump installation price offer
British Gas has said it will cap the starting price of heat pump installation at £2,999, a figure that excludes the heat pump itself and will not apply to every home.
European Commission announces plan for a heat pump action plan
The European Commission is planning a heat pump action plan to boost deployment, to be elaborated with member states and business actors as part of its Green Deal Industrial Plan.
European Commission presents Green Deal Industrial Plan
The European Commission has set out a Green Deal Industrial Plan that will include a heat pump action plan and a proposed Net-Zero Industry Act covering wind, solar, heat pumps, batteries and electrolysers.
Lords committee finds low grant funding holds back Boiler Upgrade Scheme uptake
A Lords committee inquiry into the Boiler Upgrade Scheme found low grant funding was one of the main factors holding back heat pump uptake and recommended raising the grant level.
MCS opens consultation on re-written MCS 007 heat pump product standard
MCS has opened a consultation on a substantially re-written MCS 007 heat pump product standard, covering higher minimum performance benchmarks, new data publication duties and wider heat pump types in scope.
- January 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme open to England and Wales applicants
Householders in England and Wales can apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a non-means-tested grant of £5,000 towards an air source heat pump or £6,000 towards a ground source heat pump.
BESA calls on government to speed up energy efficiency spending
The Building Engineering Services Association has urged ministers to bring forward £6bn of energy efficiency funding promised for 2025, citing an IPPR report on the cost crisis.
Energy Systems Catapult launches consumer heat pump guide
Energy Systems Catapult has published a consumer guide to heat pump conversations, aimed at helping homeowners make informed decisions across the four stages of an installation.
EHPA reports need for 500,000 skilled heat pump installers by 2030
The European Heat Pump Association has calculated that the sector needs at least 500,000 skilled full time equivalent workers by 2030 to meet REPowerEU ambitions, after record 2022 sales.
Redrow announces all upcoming developments will feature air source heat pumps
Redrow announced in January 2023 that all its upcoming developments would feature air source heat pumps, two years ahead of the Future Homes Standard deadline.