Most of Britain’s homes use gas for heating, contributing about 18% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The government aims to reduce these emissions by replacing gas boilers with electric heat pumps.
According to the National Audit Office (NAO), achieving Britain’s legally binding goal of net zero emissions by 2050 requires a significant shift in heating methods for its 28 million homes.
Between May 2022 and December 2023, only 18,900 heat pumps were installed, far below the government’s target of 50,000. The government aims to install 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028.
The National Audit Office (NAO) report “found that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has no overarching long-term plan to address the low levels of awareness among households about the steps required to decarbonise home heating.”
“Government needs to engage every household to achieve its objective to decarbonise home heating as part of the transition to net zero,” said NAO head Gareth Davies.
A representative from Britain’s Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy stated that they are conducting a widespread campaign via television, radio, and newspapers to inform 16.6 million households about heat pumps, insulation, and methods to reduce energy bills.