London, UK - Nesta has responded to new statistics published today by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, showing a record number of households in England and Wales applying for heat pump grants through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Madeleine Gabriel, mission director of sustainable future at Nesta, said:

“The record numbers of people accessing grants to cover installation costs for heat pumps shows that international pressures on gas and oil prices are having a tangible impact on moving people away from polluting heating in Britain.

“Rising oil and gas prices from the war on Iran are making it more appealing to switch to electric heating and cooling systems, especially with the UK government offering oil and LPG boiler users the higher £9,000 grant for a limited time. However, while off-grid families are queuing up in record numbers to make the switch to dodge spiralling heating oil bills, millions of gas-heated homes are still exposed to the next energy price shock.

“The government has shown that targeted support works to help rural homeowners switch to heat pumps in a fossil fuel crisis. With gas prices now rising faster than electricity, heat pumps are increasingly the cheaper option to run. The government could help shield all households from price rises by shifting levies off electricity bills in the upcoming Budget, while confirming a new scheme to help low-income households benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating too.”

Notes to editors

1. For more information on the analysis or to speak to one of the experts involved, please contact Jake Kroeger, Group Media Manager, on 020 7438 2576 or [email protected]. Spokespeople are available for broadcast interviews.
2. Any homeowners considering whether now is the right time to switch to a heat pump can take a look at low-carbon heating in action through VisitaHeatPump.com. For those currently using heating oil and considering applying for the new BUS uplift, they can filter to see homes like theirs that have switched from oil to a heat pump.
3. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s August statistics for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can be viewed here.

About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation that designs, tests and scales solutions for the biggest challenges of our time.

Driven by a vision to improve the lives of millions of people, our focus up to 2030 is on three missions: breaking the link between family background and life chances, halving obesity and cutting household carbon emissions.

We work with partners to develop high-potential solutions and test them as they evolve, drawing on expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, data science, behavioural science and design.

Once confident in the effectiveness of a solution, we take it to scale. We create national policy proposals, develop consumer-facing products and services, build and spin out commercial ventures and harness the power of the arts.

We work with two specialised units: BIT applies a deep understanding of human behaviour to help clients achieve their goals. Challenge Works designs and runs challenge prizes to spark innovation in science, technology and society. Find out more at nesta.org.uk