- Target of 600,000 per year by 2028; 2023 saw 39,268 heat pumps installed, a 20% increase from 2022.
- Worldwide, 253 million heat pumps are expected by 2030, but 600 million are needed for net zero. Europe saw a 35% increase in sales from 2020 to 2021.
- Increased government grants have boosted applications, but reaching the target will require more support and skilled installers.
The UK government has set the goal to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028, but how close are we to reaching that target?
In 2023, the UK installed 36,799 air source heat pumps and 2,469 ground or water source heat pumps. This brought the total number of MCS-certified installations to 229,618, marking a 20% increase from the previous year. In 2022, 55,000 heat pumps were installed. The market nearly doubled in 2021, showing strong growth.
Several factors are driving this increase. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) subsidy, introduced in 2022, offers financial support. Increased visibility of heat pump technology and time-of-use tariffs also play a role.
Globally, the adoption of heat pumps is growing, but not fast enough.
By 2030, there are expected to be 253 million heat pumps installed worldwide. However, to meet net zero goals, 600 million units are needed. This represents a 58% shortfall if current rates continue.
In Europe, heat pump sales rose by 35% from 2020 to 2021, with major markets in France, Italy, and Germany. As of April 2023, Europe had an average of 3,068 heat pumps per 100,000 people. Finland saw a 120% increase in air-to-air heat pump sales in 2022.
To hit the 600,000 installations per year target, further support and a larger pool of qualified installers are crucial. The government’s increased grant for heat pumps has led to a 50% rise in applications. Meeting the goal will require continued investment and a concerted effort to expand production capacity and support.
