A trade body is calling for a partnership with government to push the home heating market towards heat pumps as sales of new fossil fuel boilers are phased out by the mid-2030s.
The Heat Pump Association is also changing direction to encourage more installers ahead of an expected surge in demand.
Last month the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy launched its controversial boiler upgrade programme.
Homeowners in England and Wales and owner occupiers can apply for grants of up to £5,000 towards the cost and installation of an air-source heat pump or biomass boiler, and up to £6,000 towards the cost and installation of a geothermal heat source. pump.
The subsidy is paid directly to the installer and deducted from the price invoiced.
Phil Hurley, President of the Heat Pump Association, says: “Central heating will personalize an important part of the journey to zero emissions for millions of consumers.
“The next decade will see the biggest upheaval in the heating industry in living memory as homes across the country are increasingly heated by heat pumps.
“The heat pump industry is fully prepared to take on this challenge and be the main driver of this change, with the government providing the favorable policy change.
“Significant investment in manufacturing and installer training in the UK has already been made in response to some of the signals the government has given so far. Greater clarity in the policy framework will unlock the remaining investor confidence needed to complete the job.
“Today’s 130,000 heating engineers and a new generation of apprentices will be at the heart of this transition. »
The boiler upgrade program is open to domestic properties and small non-domestic properties with an installation capacity of up to 45kWth (this covers most homes) and with a current energy performance certificate without exceptional recommendations for attic or cavity wall insulation.
Subsidies are only available for air source heat pumps, biomass boilers and geothermal heat pumps (including water source heat pumps and those on shared ground loops).
Hybrid heat pump systems, for example a combination of a gas boiler and an air source heat pump, are not eligible.
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