The UK has made real progress in cutting carbon emissions across sectors like transport and power generation. But there’s one major area that’s lagging behind – the way we heat our homes.
For over a decade, emissions from domestic heating have barely changed. Today, 79% of UK homes still rely on gas boilers, making them one of the biggest contributors to household carbon footprints. And with the push toward net zero well underway, this is a problem we can’t afford to ignore.
Why Heat Pumps Matter
Electric heat pumps are a clean, low-carbon alternative to gas boilers. But uptake remains far too slow. In 2024, fewer than 100,000 heat pumps were installed – a long way off the government’s 2030 goal of 450,000 installations per year.
The Cost Barrier
A major reason? Price. Without financial help, a heat pump can cost up to £13,000. And even with one installed, many households face higher running costs due to electricity’s inflated price – driven in part by green levies.
A proposed solution is a £3,000 top-up grant, on top of the existing £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme, to make switching more affordable for low-income households. Supporting just a quarter of installations this way would cost around £370 million per year – a solid investment in a greener future.
Rethinking Energy Pricing
But installation support isn’t enough. Electricity remains disproportionately expensive compared to gas. Reforming how green levies are applied – whether by shifting them to standing charges, general taxation, or even to gas – could help level the playing field and make clean heating a more viable choice.
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
Introducing a social tariff could shield over 10 million vulnerable households from rising energy costs and ensure no one is left behind in the transition.
At Shropshire Green Energy Centre, we believe tackling home heating is essential to achieving net zero – and it must be done with fairness, urgency, and affordability in mind. The time to act is now.
