Another significant shift was made by the UK government this week, on one of the great fault lines that divides British people – between those who believe in the clean energy transition and sacrifice required, and those who don’t.
In a major change to planning laws, all new homes in England will in future be installed with heat pumps and solar panels. The other home nations, including heating oil-dependent Northern Ireland, may eventually follow suit.
The heat pump, a device that replaces gas-fired and other fossil fuel boilers, and uses electricity to move heat from the outside air, ground, or water into a building, is not a new invention. But the cost and technical specifications associated with installing it, depending on the type and age of property, have made it something of a political football as the country seems cleaner and cheaper ways of heating buildings.
The previous government changed policy by altering grant payment levels in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the horizons for heat pump installations in certain new homes.
This week’s announcement, by a government still trying to convince the electorate that its long-term energy transition approach is right for the economy, the environment and their pockets, ups the ante by compelling developers to move away from gas or oil in future, and sets a broader tone about warming the nation’s homes.
As CNBC noted, the news forms part of a response to the conflict in Iran and the crushing impact it has had on energy prices. It also outlined the other development announced this week – smaller, plug-in solar panels will become available in shops for use in outdoor spaces like balconies.
Heat pumps are not a solution for every home. This in-depth BBC piece (do take a read, it’s not just all about plumbing) depicts, with an example of costs noted by a couple in a London house, that initial installation means replacing a boiler and some pipework, plus likely radiators. Even so, the price of heating compared to conventional means can soon tumble.
As the author, Evan Davis, puts it: “Like that transition from horse to car in the early 20th century, it certainly won't be easy”. Costs vary, the UK’s ageing housing stock makes it more difficult to retrofit heat pumps in many homes, and payback can take a while.
As for plug-in solar panels, according to this Evening Standard piece they could soon be available “in the middle of LIDL” as people try to reduce their electricity bills.
Any wholesale change in technology for something central to our daily lives is going to spark conversation – and political debate, where costs and industry transformation are involved. But this week has marked another step towards a UK energy transition that continues to gather momentum, and navigate the nay-sayers.
The impact for companies, across sectors including construction, home services and energy, was always going to be profound. Now it’s starting to look more certain too.
Written by
Experienced communications advisor, Steve Earl.