Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 5
5
DESNZ lacks clear plan for decarbonising homes where heat pumps are impractical.
Conclusion
DESNZ has not yet worked out how it will support households to decarbonise their homes where heat pumps are not a practical solution. An estimated 20 per cent of homes might be exempt from the government’s plans to phase out new fossil fuel boilers in 2035. This includes those requiring energy efficiency upgrades or that lack space to install a heat pump, such as densely populated urban areas and blocks of flats. DESNZ intends to consult this year on how it can help people decarbonise their homes for those where a heat pump might not be the most appropriate solution. It considers heat networks to be the next major alternative technology for people living in these areas and intends to invest some £868 million in heat networks up to
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 11 July 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗