Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Deferred
Consumers face significant complexity understanding heat pump running costs and installation impact.
Conclusion
We noted that the installation of heat pumps could be a very complicated picture for consumers, and asked how an individual was expected to understand the running costs of a heat pump and the potential impact of installing insulation before or after a heat pump, or for their type of property. Written evidence from The Building Societies Association, for example, outlined that 36% of respondents to its research about the barriers to making home heating upgrades were “unsure of the cost savings on energy bills”. DESNZ recognised that calculating the running costs and working through the process were “issues of complication and complexity for consumers at the moment”.29
Government Response Summary
The government agrees but defers the implementation date pending new ministerial steers. It highlights ongoing activities to simplify switching to low carbon heating for consumers and will detail further improvements in the 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.