Heat pump uptake falling far short of expectations and risking UK net zero goals [Video]

Uptake of clean heat pumps to replace boilers has been less than half the expected levels under a flagship programme, a report has warned.

The government needs to engage “every household” in the shift to clean heating, the National Audit Office (NAO) said, as it warned that low uptake of heat pumps was slowing progress on cutting emissions from homes.

It added that ministers should consider spelling out sooner what role hydrogen could play in driving the move away from fossil fuel heating.

Efforts to encourage people to install heat pumps have been slow because costs have remained high and public awareness is low, a report from the independent public spending watchdog said.

Also read: Heat pumps and insulation ‘will end need for Russian gas faster than new North Sea drilling’

Uncertainty around how significant a role hydrogen could play in home heating …