PLANS to swap boilers for heat pumps are hitting the skids, a report says.
Costs are high, most people do not know what the pumps are or why they should care, found the National Audit Office.
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The Government wants to install 600,000 of the energy-efficient, low-carbon pumps a year by 2028, and up to 1.6million a year by 2035.
But in a recent boiler upgrade scheme, 18,900 were installed, well under the 50,000 expected.
NAO said more data was needed to help people assess whether the change was worth it.
NAO chief Gareth Davies said: “Government needs to engage every household to achieve its objective to decarbonise home heating as part of the transition to net zero.
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“The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) progress in making households aware and encouraging them to switch to low-carbon alternatives has been slower than expected.”
A DESNZ spokesperson said: “By helping rather than forcing families to install heat pumps, with a 50 per cent bigger heat pump grant, we have boosted applications by nearly 40 per cent.
“Our Welcome Home to Energy Efficiency campaign is running on TV, radio and newspapers, reaching 16.6 million households with advice and information about how heat pumps, insulation and solar panels can cut their emissions and energy bills.”
Today the Government is announcing £75million for free energy efficiency upgrades, such as heat pumps and double-glazing in social homes.
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Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho said the initiative will help low-income families save up to £400 a year on their energy bills and will support jobs for over 1,300 people working on making homes better and more eco-friendly.
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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
