- Heat pumps installations increased by 43% in 2024
- Almost 60,000 certified heat pump installations were carried out in 2024
- Solar PV continues to lead the way as the most-popular renewable technology source
The rate of heat pump installation in UK homes is not moving fast enough to hit the previous governments target of 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028, despite it increasing 43% in 2024.
Almost 60,000 certified heat pump installations were carried out in 2024, according to the latest figures from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), bringing the total number of certified installations in the UK to over 275,000.
Ian Rippin, CEO, MCS, said that more consumers are “making the switch to home-grown energy” and “placing their trust in MCS certified contracts to give them confidence in their renewable installations”.
He explained that as numbers continue to grow and more people benefit from home-grown energy, it’s crucial that “standards are maintained in order to continue the momentum”.
“This is where MCS product and installation standards have a key role to play in building confidence as the UK transitions to net zero.”
Octopus Energy also announced last week that more than 200,000 homeowners contacted the company to enquire about a heat pump in 2024, marking a staggering 144% increase from the previous year.
Alex Schoch, global director of clean tech, Octopus Energy said these figures show the UK is “on the cusp of a heating revolution”.
“The appetite is there, British homeowners are hungry to go green, but the industry must step up and demystify heat pump technology to help make informed choices.”
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) in England and Wales and the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan in Scotland both played significant roles in accelerating the growth, according to the MCS, by making heat pumps more accessible and affordable for homeowners.
The BUS offers homeowners, landlords and businesses grants of up to £7,500 for certified heat pump installations, with the HES offering up to £9,000 for households that qualify for a rural uplift.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for energy consumers, said renewable technology such as heat pumps and solar panels are “essential for supporting working people to secure affordable, homegrown power for their homes and businesses”.
“By almost doubling the budget for the BUS in the next financial year, we hope that records for renewable installations continue to be overtaken.”
Solar PV, however, continues to lead the way as the most-popular renewable technology source, with more than 180,000 certified installations recorded in 2024, while battery storage saw record-breaking numbers, with nearly 20,000 certified installations.
