New research commissioned by law firm Shakespeare Martineau shows that almost two-thirds of the population do not feel they confidently understand what a heat pump is, how it works and how they go about getting one.
Nearly 2 in 5 (37%) consumers said that if their boiler needed replacing in the next six months they would replace it with a new gas boiler.
Despite the government pushing for heat pumps and electrification, just 12% of consumers would replace their current heating system with a heat pump (6% opted for air source and 6% said ground source heat pump) and more than a third (36%) responded with ‘don’t know’.
Shakespeare Martineau’s Energy Partner, Sushma Maharaj, said: “There are a number of barriers standing in the way of increased adoption of community energy projects, which will make a huge difference to the UK meeting its net zero targets.
“Consumer buy-in is crucial in order to drive innovation and we also need major landowners like housing associations and planning authorities to make demands on new developments, as well as make it much easier for housebuilders to utilise existing infrastructure in the adoption of community energy.”
The research shows that the top three reasons holding homeowners back from retrofitting their homes are: cost (57%), lack of knowledge (28%) and disruption (21%).
Sushma added: “With the ‘average’ household having little understanding of community energy and only a minority of this group considering low carbon technology (heat pumps) as an affordable option, more must be done to educate and financially support this group.
“The Chancellor’s announcement to scrap VAT on energy saving technology is a step in the right direction, but will still leave the public – particularly the average ‘able to pay’ household – well out of pocket.
The research showed that 60% of all people were not aware of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme £5,000 heat pump installation grant. Of those people not aware, more than a third (34%) said that the grant money would make them more likely to purchase a heat pump, indicating an urgent need for improved education.
The white paper ‘Community energy in a box – how do we get there?’ from law firm Shakespeare Martineau explores public attitudes towards community energy, low carbon technology and retrofitting, as well as brings together experts across energy, academia, law and housing to provide solutions and recommendations for greater adoption of community energy projects by industries that will play a significant role in meeting the government’s net zero targets in 2050.
