In response to the Chancellor’s decision to commit £13.2bn of investment to the warm homes plan, and the closure of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation, Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA, comments:

“The government has committed to deliver on its manifesto commitment to upgrade millions of homes, saving people an average of £600 in bills. We’re entering a pivotal phase of the energy transition and today’s investment pledge shows this Government remains committed to help decarbonise our building stock, reduce energy bills, and deliver a consumer-focused clean power system where homes are warmer, healthier and safer.

“Our research shows we could unlock up to 10GW of thermal storage flexibility by 2030, which both NESO and the CCC have stressed is crucial for the UK to meet its clean power targets and seize the economic opportunity that comes with it. This means there is huge potential for setting up the electrification of heat and hot water for success, but a lot still depends on how these target funds and incentives are deployed.

“The danger is that product myopia will lead to market distortion and compromise what should be the priority, engaging the end user.

“We’ve already seen positive progress in the heat pump rollout, the ideal choice for many, as a result of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and it’s great to see this scheme will continue to be supported.

“But with an estimated 20% of homes unsuitable for a heat pump, there is no question that the current product scope needs to be expanded to ensure other heat electrification technologies, such as heat batteries and heat retention storage heaters, are not unfairly disadvantaged. The goal should be to normalise heat electrification for customers, a point we made in our response to the BUS consultation which closed today.

“Households need to be provided with flexibility and a range of different options to support them on their electrification journeys. By doubling down on choice, we can move away from the unhelpful binary technology list and ensure customers are at the heart of the transition to clean heat.”