Representatives from the UK government have spent the day familiarizing themselves with Daikin’s air source heat pump offering, as the national effort to decarbonize the housing stock reaches a landmark moment.
From this week, applications for the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme are open, meaning homeowners can apply – through their installer – for a £5,000 grant towards the upfront cost of a heat pump. The grants are designed to make low carbon, sustainable home heating technology more accessible to more people – and provide a welcome impetus on the drive to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Fossil fuel boilers
To mark the occasion, Lord Callanan, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, has attended the launch of Heatpumps London’s brand-new Daikin Sustainable Home Centre, before visiting a British Gas customer in the early stages of having a Daikin air source heat pump installed.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is the first up-front subsidy scheme that’s available long-term"
Heatpumps London is a new venture from The Air Conditioning Company, together with heat pump manufacturer, Daikin. It’s the second Daikin Sustainable Home Centre to open in Greater London, and will also serve the Home Counties and surrounding areas. Henk van den Berg, Strategic Business Manager – Heating & Renewables at Daikin UK, added: “The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is the first up-front subsidy scheme that’s available long-term, to help homeowners replace their fossil fuel boilers with sustainable, low carbon heat pumps.”
Trusted local installer
“Now that applications are open, we hope that households who are in the position to upgrade their boiler to an air source heat pump will do just that – benefiting from a £5,000 grant and the recently-announced removal of VAT. And our message to installers is that now is the time to upskill for the future – with help from Daikin and our partners like Heatpumps London. It’s been great to show the minister some of the projects we are working on.”
Homeowners who visit Heatpumps London can see working air source heat pumps in action, and sit down with an expert to discuss and agree on the best solution for heating and cooling their home, before they’re partnered with a trusted local installer.
Renewable heating solutions
We can’t wait to welcome people to the center, and to help them start their renewable heating journey"
As well as winning projects and sourcing products via the center, installers will be able to access training, resources, and stock to help them diversify into renewable heating solutions – and to ensure the long-term competitiveness of their businesses as fossil fuels are phased out.
Gary Woodward, Managing Director at Heatpumps London, commented: “This is a huge milestone for us, and a real opportunity to put Northwest London at the forefront of the UK’s journey to low carbon heating – just when we anticipate demand for heat pumps is going to pick up because of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.”
“We’re big believers in heat pump technology – from a sustainability point of view and also for the complete home comfort it offers. We can’t wait to welcome people to the center, and to help them start their renewable heating journey.” Daikin has also recently formed a new partnership with British Gas, designed to increase take-up of renewable home heating technology across the UK.
