A new study has revealed that the high cost of installing heat pumps could delay their widespread adoption in the UK, potentially putting government decarbonisation targets at risk.
Research conducted by the University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London found that the cost of heat pump installations has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade, limiting their uptake in comparison to traditional heating systems.
The study analysed historical and forecast data, showing that installation costs are projected to decrease by only 20-25% by 2030.
However, this reduction falls short of what is needed to meet UK policy goals aimed at increasing the use of heat pumps to decarbonise home heating.
Currently, heat pumps play a minor role in UK households, though their numbers are slowly rising.
Despite their potential to provide energy security and efficiency, their high upfront costs remain a barrier to more widespread use.
The research highlights the importance of basing policy on realistic cost expectations and developing incentives to offset these costs.
Dr Mark Winskel, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science, said: “While there is a growing policy consensus that heat pumps will pay a key role in decarbonising home heating, there are some stubborn economic challenges.
“Our research suggests the need for realistic expectations about heat pump installed cost reductions, and also, introducing targeted support measures to reflect their competitive running costs and wider benefits.”
