Heat pump sales shot up by 63 per cent to nearly 100,000 last year, new data reveals.
The spike in sales marks a boost to the Government’s drive to replace gas boilers with heat pumps in most UK homes.
There was also a 15 per cent increase in the number of installers completing a recognised heat pump training qualification, to 9,062.
The Heat Pump Association’s “factory gate” sales data shows that 98,469 heat pumps were sold in the UK in 2024.
The increase in demand is thought to be the result of consumers wanting to keep their bills down in the longer term – as well as to help the environment and improve the energy ratings of their homes.
While the upfront costs of heat pumps are considerably higher than for gas boilers, their running costs are lower – while experts expect installation costs to come down considerably in the coming years.
Last year’s heat pump growth is much higher than has been seen in previous years and “provides enhanced confidence to the market that the sector is in a good place to meet expected increases in demand in the coming years”, the HPA said.
But it cautions that, while last year’s high growth is to be welcomed, substantial efforts are still needed to ensure heat pump deployment and workforce growth reach the levels required to reduce UK carbon emissions in line with legally binding targets.
The Government’s target of 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028 – and the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation of heat pumps in 10 per cent of UK households by 2030 – remain challenging goals, it said.
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Read More“2024 was a pivotal year for the UK heat pump market. This unprecedented, accelerated growth is a sign of progress and reflects the sector’s dedication and determination to scale up to support the decarbonisation of heat in UK homes and buildings,” said Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of the HPA.
“However, to sustain and strengthen this level of growth and encourage further investment in UK manufacturing and in growing a skilled and competent workforce, there needs to be a clear, credible heat decarbonisation transition plan published by the Government which includes a detailed heat pump installation pathway, supported by policy and regulatory change.
“This will provide the confidence the market needs.”
Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh added: “It’s fantastic to see huge progress on heat pump installations, with thousands of people now benefiting from clean heating in their homes.
“We are keeping up this momentum by almost doubling the budget for our Boiler Upgrade Scheme in the next financial year, giving more families £7,500 off the cost,” she said.
Heat pumps: what you need to know
By Grace Gausden
What are heat pumps?
Heat pumps are a low-carbon, alternative to way to heat your home. They work by absorbing heat from the environment and transferring it to a fluid, which is compressed to increase its temperature.
There are two main types of heat pump: an air-source heat pump and a ground-source heat pump.
An air-source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air, while a ground-source heat pump extracts heat from the ground using buried collectors, known as ground arrays. Unlike boilers, heat pumps don’t burn fuel to create heat, they transfer thermal energy from one place to another.
How much do they cost to install?
Air source heat pumps tend to cost between £14,000 and £19,000 to install. Ground source heat pumps cost between £28,000 and £34,000 to install, depending on how you install the pipes.
The exact price will depending on the brand, model and size of the heat pump, as well as the size of your property.
The average gas boiler cost for supply and installation is £3,000.
How long do they take to install?Air-source heat pumps may take a couple of days to install at home, while ground-source heat pumps take longer.
When installing, the drilling could take two days, while other parts of the installation could take four days. And while more expensive, ground-source heat pumps are considered to be more efficient than air-source alternatives.
What grants can you get to help with the cost?
For England and Wales, you can get a grant for up to £7,500 to replace a fossil fuel boiler with a heat pump under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
For Scotland, you can get a grant of up to £7,500 (£9,000 in rural properties) for energy efficient home improvements. You can also get a loan of up to £7,500 to install renewable heat in your home. There are no dedicated schemes in Northern Ireland. To find out if you’re eligible, use the Government website. If you are, contact a certified installer to get quotes and they will apply for the grant through the energy regulator, Ofgem.
What are potential issues with them?
Not every home is suitable for a heat pump. All pumps need outside space so this could be an issue if you do not have this. The external space needed for an air space heat pump is no larger than a washing machine but for a ground source heat pump you need more with access for a drilling machine to create a borehole or two. They also work best in well insulated homes as they supply heat at a lower temperature.
If your home is not efficient, you can still install one but you may need to add extra insulation and improve your radiators to increase the flow which could be costly.
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