Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
Set out plans to simplify heat pump landscape for consumers, clarifying insulation impacts.
Conclusion
We are concerned that there is too much complexity and potential confusion for households to enable them to make informed decisions about installing a heat pump. Households can face complex decisions when looking to install a heat pump. For example, DESNZ is removing a requirement to have minimum standards for properties to have loft and cavity wall insulation in order to be eligible to apply for a grant through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. It is instead leaving this as a choice for householders, but has not made available any additional evidence about how this choice will impact on energy bills. DESNZ accepts that it needs to undertake a fair bit of myth busting about the quality of the consumer experience when living with a heat pump. Households also need to identify a skilled installer and to do this they need proper information to decide where to spend their money. But many are unsure where to get impartial advice on making improvements to reduce their homes’ emissions. Recommendation 2: DESNZ should, as part of its Treasury Minute response, set out how it will make the heat pump landscape easier for consumers to navigate, for example being clear on the impact of insulation on energy bills, by directly comparing heat pump running costs in homes with and without insulation, with this information provided through an easy-to-use website. 6 Decarbonising home heating
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and is improving its Heat Pump Home Suitability tool to include localized links, advice on pipework and radiators, and the impact of insulation on energy bills. It will also set out further improvements to consumer navigation in the Warm Homes Plan.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. ministers, and the department will inform the new Committee as soon as an implementation date is agreed. The government has a range of activities to make it easier for consumers to switch to low carbon heating. The government provides advice and support in several areas, including the Heat Pump Home Suitability Tool and Find Ways to Save Energy in your home tool which provide bespoke advice to consumers on clean heat and energy efficiency upgrades they can make to their homes, and signposts grant support and further information. This is supplemented by a phoneline service, and the Local Energy Advice Demonstrator programme which will gather evidence on the best ways to engage consumers on a local level on home decarbonisation. The government is making improvements to its Heat Pump Home Suitability tool which will include localised links, advice on pipework and radiators, as well as the impact of additional energy efficiency measures such as system upgrades and insulation. The government will set out in the Warm Homes Plan how to further improve the heat pump landscape to make it easier for consumers to navigate.