The UK government has recently lifted a significant planning restriction, making it easier for millions of homeowners in England to install heat pumps. Previously, installing a heat pump within one metre of a neighbour’s property required planning permission due to noise concerns. This rule has now been removed, aiming to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon heating solutions as part of the government’s Warm Homes Plan.
Heat pumps, which use electricity to provide heating and hot water, are considered a greener alternative to traditional gas boilers.
As the UK’s electricity grid becomes increasingly powered by renewable sources like wind and solar, heat pumps offer a pathway to reduce household carbon emissions. Currently, gas boilers contribute up to 14% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The planning change is particularly impactful for residents of terraced houses, which constitute about 23% of English homes. In densely populated areas, such as London, the previous restriction posed a significant barrier. Tom Clarke, a gas engineer who retrained to install heat pumps, noted that obtaining planning permission often delayed installations by over a month, leaving households without heating during the approval process.
Greener Solutions Group have not encountered too many issues with planning as our installation team always aim to install Heat Pumps in the manner which is most complementary and sympathetic to top both the building and surrounding properties, but the easement of planning in this field will certainly help more homeowners overcome tighter planning controls.
Energy company Octopus Energy highlighted that the former planning rule affected 27% of its customers, with approval processes adding an average delay of eight to ten weeks. The removal of this requirement is expected to streamline installations and encourage more homeowners to transition to heat pumps.
While the change is welcomed, challenges remain. The high upfront cost of heat pump installations, especially in older homes requiring additional insulation and pipework upgrades, continues to be a deterrent. Renters and those in leasehold properties also depend on landlords’ willingness to invest in such upgrades
Looking ahead, from 2030, private landlords will be mandated to enhance their properties’ energy efficiency. However, current Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) calculations sometimes favor gas boilers over heat pumps due to cost assumptions. Experts suggest that adjusting these calculations and reducing electricity prices could further incentivize the shift to cleaner heating solutions.BBC
The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero is exploring financing models to alleviate upfront costs, including potential heat pump subscription services, to make the transition more accessible for households across the UK
Contact Energy Grant finder today to find out how you can receive a grant of £7500 towards Heat Pumps
