Historic achievement in the UK's heat pump market, but remaining significantly behind its European counterparts

Record-Breaking Month for Heat Pump Installations in the UK

July 2024 saw a significant surge in the installation and adoption of heat pumps across the United Kingdom. According to the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), the UK ranked 13th out of 21 countries in terms of total heat pump installations, but it was a different story in July.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a government initiative aimed at encouraging the use of low-carbon heating solutions, experienced a remarkable increase in activity last month. A total of 48,982 voucher applications were received, marking a 13% increase from June 2024. By the end of July, 41,770 vouchers had been issued, setting a new record high for the scheme.

The majority of these applications were for air source heat pumps, which accounted for 96% of the total. This trend continues to solidify air source heat pumps as the dominant choice under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

July 2024 also marked a significant milestone as the UK reached a total of more than 250,000 certified heat pump installations. This figure includes more than 4,500 installations in July alone, making it the fifth month in a row with such high figures.

Moreover, the month of July 2024 witnessed a new record as redemption applications for heat pumps reached 2,071, the first time redemptions exceeded 2,000. This surge in redemptions is a positive sign that the installed heat pumps are being actively used.

The total number of solar battery storage installations has also been on the rise. As of July 2024, there have been over 15,000 installations overall, with over 10,000 this year alone.

While the UK's heat pump adoption rate is currently lower than some European countries, such as Norway and Finland, the recent surge in installations suggests a promising future for low-carbon heating solutions in the UK. Norway, with 632 heat pumps per 1,000 households, and Finland, with 512 installations per 1,000 people, currently lead in heat pump adoption. The UK, however, has made strides, with 14.5 installations per 1,000 people.

France and Germany are currently the biggest heat pump markets, with France and Italy having the largest total numbers installed. The UK's recent surge in heat pump installations indicates a potential shift in the European heat pump landscape.

In conclusion, July 2024 was a month of records and milestones for the UK's heat pump industry. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme saw unprecedented activity, with a record number of vouchers issued and redemptions. The surge in heat pump installations suggests a promising future for low-carbon heating solutions in the UK.

Historic achievement in the UK's heat pump market, but remaining significantly behind its European counterparts