Low public and landlord awareness of boiler upgrade scheme

Low public and landlord awareness of boiler upgrade scheme

9:57 AM, 28th February 2023, About A year ago 5

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The UK Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme ‘is failing to deliver’ – and many landlords and agents are unaware of it.

The House of Lords’ Built Environment Committee Inquiry has found public awareness of low-carbon heating systems is very limited, and promotion of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been ‘inadequate’.

The scheme provides grants to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with landlords able to apply for £5,000 towards an air source heat pump, £6,000 towards a ground source heat pump, or £5,000 towards a biomass boiler.

‘48% of Propertymark members were unaware of the scheme’s existence’

In its evidence to the committee, Propertymark said that 48% of its members were unaware of the scheme’s existence.

Landlords and letting agents who were aware of the scheme felt the amount of funding available per house compared to the overall cost of retrofitting was too low.

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns for Propertymark, said: “It’s not surprising that the House of Lords Built Environment Committee Inquiry has recognised many of the issues our members have highlighted, such as the upfront costs of installing heat-pumps and very low public awareness of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

“Upfront costs are too high for many households, even with the help of the grant, making it impossible for low-income households to benefit from the scheme.”

Installing heat pumps can be extremely expensive and difficult to install in some areas. Properties in coastal areas can be the most problematic as there is less room to retrofit flats this way and the salty air from the coast can cause erosion in heat pumps.

‘Agents, landlords and homeowners require significantly more financial support to cover heating upgrades and retrofitting costs’

The committee’s recommendations include urging the government to provide greater clarity to professionals and consumers on practical options for low-carbon home heating through a consistent policy framework, public communications and householder advice.

Mr Douglas continued: “Agents, landlords and homeowners require significantly more information and financial support to cover heating upgrades and retrofitting costs, which are a significant barrier to improving energy efficiency.”


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Comments

Luke P

11:58 AM, 28th February 2023, About A year ago

No, it's because nobody but nobody wants a heat pump. Even biomass pellets lock you into a racket. Make an efficient biomass boiler that can run on any wood of any (reasonable) size, even if it means a bigger hopper and you'll find folk take it up in droves (look at the popularity surge in log burners)...but 'wood' is not nearly as controllable as special biomass pellets, are they...??

Old Mrs Landlord

16:45 PM, 28th February 2023, About A year ago

Because of the way EPCs are calculated, fitting a heat pump is very likely to result in an increased cost of heating and a lower EPC rating. Hardly surprising then that the landlords who are aware of the grant scheme aren't rushing to take advantage of it to replace their gas boilers with heat pumps.

Dennis Forrest

12:35 PM, 1st March 2023, About A year ago

Recent Which report said if you have a G rated boiler a heat pump will save you £280 each year but if you already have an A rated boiler then you will not save anything but instead it cost you £80 more each year.
Having a more efficient boiler seems the obvious way to go and should not cost more than £3000. (Maybe even having a hydrogen ready boiler if they make such things)

Reluctant Landlord

16:16 PM, 1st March 2023, About A year ago

the whole EPC issue is in limbo. The 'standard' need to be re written as there can only be one goal (it is total reduction in Co2 emissions OR insulate as much as possible OR total cost saving for occupier???)
(NB I would suggest it is to insulate as much as possible to reduce the CO2 impact which is key. If the outcome is cost saving to the occupier then this is a happy by product but NOT the ultimate goal)
Then and only then can any proper measurements/assessment be made and a 'standard' set.
Only at this point can improvements determined and any decisions made as to what to do to active the goal as best as possible given the viability of the property/cost to do this

The result - no one is looking to upgrade anything. Why spend/apply for anything when there is no clarity whatsoever??

Mick Roberts

11:31 AM, 2nd March 2023, About A year ago

I had 48 free boilers fitted in 2013 & 46 free fitted in Feb-April 2022.
So I'm used to dealing with the people that do these grants.

They currently saying the admin is horrendous, virtually nothing can get done & the installers/companies don't want ote to do with the latest Govt grants as the admin is virtually impossible.

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