• As part of the UK government’s Warm Homes Plan, a major planning restriction for heat pumps has been lifted today.
  • Previously, planning rules for heat pumps stipulated that such devices must be placed at least one metre from a neighbouring property.
  • With this restriction being removed, the government is hoping for faster uptake of heat pumps.

Is heat pump adoption in the UK now set to accelerate?

The previous planning rule was in place in concern of noise pollution for neighbouring properties, but modern heat pumps have rather nullified this concern. Recent studies show that modern heat pumps create sound levels similar to a typical gas boiler. This one-metre rule also previously meant that heat pump installations in tight terraced homes was all but impossible, with this change hopefully unlocking the possibility of more homes adopting heat pumps. Previous research by Octopus Energy found that 34% of their customers found this specific planning law to discourage them or drop out entirely from a heat pump installation.

This change comes on top of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with grants of up to £7,500 available to households in an effort to switch from traditional boilers to energy-efficient solutions such as heat pumps. However, the industry are still calling for more policy changes to heat pumps, specifically by extending the salary sacrifice scheme (which covers EVs) to also cover energy products such as heat pumps and solar.

The lifting of this planning restriction marks a significant step forward in the UK’s mission to decarbonise homes. By removing one of the key barriers to installation – particularly for residents in dense urban areas – the government is signalling its intent to make low-carbon solutions more accessible. While some grants and incentives have already helped pave the way, this change could dramatically increase the practical feasibility of heat pumps for millions more households, though there is still more work to be done.

The change of law comes the same day that the government removed restrictive planning laws on EV chargers, allowing both CPOs and private individuals to more easily install EV chargers.