Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Deferred
DESNZ removed insulation requirements for Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants to simplify applications.
Recommendation
Households can face a range of decisions when looking to install a heat pump. One such decision is whether to improve insulation to reduce energy usage and emissions. At the time of our evidence session, households were required to meet recommendations relating to cavity wall and loft insultation, identified in the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), in order to qualify for a grant as part of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. DESNZ told us that it would be removing this requirement in May 2024, which duly happened on 8 May. It told us that this was to address the issue of people being put off from applying to the Scheme by having to make improvements to their insulation and having to sequence the work, and to make the customer journey as simple as possible.24 We received written evidence from Octopus Energy, which explained that it welcomed the removal of the requirement for outstanding cavity wall and loft insulations in the EPC. It urged DESNZ to simplify the process further and remove the requirement for an EPC, which it told us were not required before installing gas boilers and added extra costs and delays to customers looking to replace their boiler with a heat pump.25
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the implied recommendation to simplify the heat pump installation process but defers the implementation date, stating it is subject to ministerial steers. It references existing consumer advice tools and commits to further improving the heat pump landscape in a future Warm Homes Plan.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: to be confirmed 2.2 The implementation of recommendations is dependent on further steers from new ministers, and the department will inform the new Committee as soon as an implementation date is agreed. 2.3 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. 2.4 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. 2.5 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.