The UK is committed to reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. To do this, among other things, it is helping people transition from outdated heating systems to heat pumps. This is where the Heat Pump Scheme comes in. So, you are probably asking yourself: how can a heating system save the planet?
The answer is simple but significant. Heat pumps consume less energy and emit significantly less carbon than gas or oil boilers. Thanks to the support of the government, homes are now able to switch to them.
We are going to describe in this article how the government grants for air source heat pumps work, how they reduce carbon, and why you, your wallet, and the planet all benefit.
What is the Heat Pump Scheme?
The heat pump scheme is a government initiative to encourage UK residents to have heat pumps installed in their homes.
The flagship scheme is the ECO4 Scheme, which assists low-income households throughout the UK. ECO4 can fund up to 100% of the cost of getting an air source heat pump — and solar panels, as well. This can cost you nothing for a greener, more efficient home.
There’s also the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which provides:
- £7,500 towards an air source heat pump
- £7,500 to fund the ground source heat pump
The other alternative is the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG), which assists with upgrading older or grid-disconnected houses. All these initiatives have the dual aim of making heat pumps accessible to more families and enabling the UK to reduce carbon emissions.
How Heat Pumps Work Without Burning Gas
It operates somewhat like a refrigerator, but in reverse. It extracts heat from the outside air and employs it to heat your home. Even during very chilly outside temperatures, there is still heat present in the air. The pump draws this heat into your home.
Here’s why it is better:
- No gas combustion = no direct emission of carbon
- Heat pumps operate with electricity
As the UK makes the transition to renewable electricity, heat pumps become even greener
And whereas a gas boiler consumes fuel and emits carbon, a heat pump simply circulates heat, powered with clean electricity.
Why Is Cutting Carbon Important?
Carbon dioxide, or CO₂, is a greenhouse gas. It heats up the Earth’s atmosphere. This is one of the reasons we have global warming and climate change.
Burning gas, oil, and coal releases CO₂ into the atmosphere. Most UK homes rely on gas boilers to heat them during winter. That alone means plenty of carbon ends up in the air.
Heating UK buildings accounts for approximately 17% of overall carbon emissions (BEIS, 2022). That’s almost one in five of the nation’s total emissions.
To halt this, we have to transition to cleaner heating systems — such as heat pumps.
How Much Carbon Can Heat Pumps Save?
The amount of carbon saved can vary. Let us see some figures:
- An average gas boiler emits about 2.2 tonnes of CO₂ annually
- An oil boiler generates even more — as much as 3 tonnes annually
- An air source heat pump, when properly installed, can reduce this to around 0.5 to 0.8 tonnes annually
That’s a reduction of more than 70% in carbon emissions (Energy Saving Trust estimates). And the more the electricity grid decarbonises, the more the carbon output of heat pumps will fall — nearly to zero.
By converting one million homes to heat pumps, the UK can reduce as much as 2 million tonnes of annual carbon emissions. That would take around 900,000 cars off the UK’s roads.
How Do Heat Pumps Cut Carbon?
Here is the point: Heat pumps consume less energy and produce fewer carbon emissions compared to oil or gas boilers. Let’s break this down.
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More Efficient
Heat pumps are as much as 3-4 times more efficient than boilers. For each unit of electricity consumed, there are 3-4 units of heat produced by a heat pump.
In contrast, a gas boiler converts just one unit of gas into under one unit of heat.
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Reducing Carbon Emissions
Burning oil or gas lets out carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. Heat pump systems do not use fossil fuels. Instead, they use electricity, which in the UK is becoming greener year by year as additional wind power and solar power enter the grid.
Replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump can reduce your home’s carbon output by as much as 70%.
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Helps the Whole Grid Go Green
The more individuals who use heat pumps, the fewer we use as a nation. This lowers demand for fossil fuels and aligns with the UK’s target to become net zero by the year 2050.
Heat Pumps and Renewable Electricity
Currently, the UK derives approximately 50% of its electricity from sources such as wind, sun, and water. This is increasing each year. With the increasing addition of clean electricity to the grid, heat pumps would become cleaner.
That means:
- Your heat pump generates less carbon each year.
- You do not need to do anything — the system becomes greener automatically
- Future-proofing your home for a low-carbon world
Other Benefits of the Scheme
Besides reducing carbon, the heat pump scheme also:
- Low Energy Costs
Heat pumps are around 3 times more efficient than gas boilers. If your home is well-insulated, you can save hundreds each year.
- Improves Comfort
Heat pumps provide consistent, even heat. No more hot and cold areas.
- Endorses Clean Energy Jobs
Heat pump installations also provide employment opportunities for technicians, surveyors, and engineers.
- Make Homes Future-Ready
New homes are now built without gas. Having a heat pump means staying ahead of future standards.
How to Apply for the Heat Pump Scheme
Step 1: Check Your EPC
Go to https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate and type in your postcode. Ensure that your home is free of insulation problems. If not, ECO4 can fix them free of charge.
Step 2: Contact a Certified Installer
Find an MCS-certified installer like ECO Energy Services. They’ll check if your home is suitable for a heat pump.
Step 3: Get Your Free Quote
If you qualify, your grant covers all costs. In addition, you can also qualify for free solar panels.
Step 4: Installation
No paperwork for you. All taken care of by the installer. Installation is scheduled and will be completed in a few weeks after approval.
The Bottom Line
The ECO4 scheme helps UK families to switch from outdated heating to low-carbon heat pumps. This reduces carbon emissions, saves money, and helps create a greener future. Heat pumps rely on electricity, not gas, so they are more sustainable in the long term.
With good insulation and grant funding, your home can become part of the solution to climate change. Make the switch now, and you’ll save money, cut pollution, and future-proof your home with assistance from ECO4 possibly with the best air source heat pump suited to your needs.
