Homeowners in Hemel Hempstead now have one less barrier to switching to greener heating. A key planning restriction, requiring air source heat pumps to be at least one metre from a neighbour’s boundary, has been removed.
This update, part of the government’s Warm Homes Plan, means more households across the local area can install heat pumps without lengthy approval delays.
The Warm Homes Plan was set up to help homeowners save money on energy, while delivering cleaner heat to homes – with 300,000 set to benefit from the upgrades.
Tom Twomey, Director at Gas Tech Heating Ltd said: “Changing the planning restrictions is great news for homeowners looking to swap out their boilers for a heat pump.
“We’ve had customers who wanted an air source heat pump but couldn’t have one fitted because of its proximity to another property’s boundary.
“Now all of that has changed and we will be able to install more in the area.”
Figures from Octopus Energy show that 34% of those who ordered a heat pump were discouraged due to the previous planning regulations.
The lifted restrictions will help the government to meet heat pump targets of 600,000 installations per year by 2028 and allow households in England to install an air source heat pump without the need to submit a planning application.
Heat pumps are three times more energy-efficient than traditional gas boilers, according to government statistics – so it’s no surprise we are seeing a move towards using more of them.
What are heat pumps?
Heat pumps use renewable energy sources such as air, water and the ground to provide heat to homes.
The most popular choice, air source heat pumps are designed to heat your home by extracting heat from the outside air in order to heat water within central heating systems.
This means a heat pump can warm radiators, underfloor heating systems and general hot water in the home just like a regular boiler.
Air source heat pumps also work efficiently even in freezing temperatures, making them a reliable source of warmth all year round for UK homeowners.
How much do heat pumps cost?
Within the Warm Homes Plan, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants of £7,500 towards air and ground source heat pumps for homeowners looking to make the switch away from traditional gas boilers.
This helps to curb the upfront costs of heat pumps which can be expensive in comparison to gas boilers.
However, the government has also outlined in their Heat and Buildings Strategy that they want to work with the heating industry to achieve 25-50% reductions in heat pump installation costs.
They are also aiming to unify the pricing experience for homeowners who own and run a gas boiler compared to those with a heat pump by 2030.
Why is the government encouraging an uptake of heat pumps?
Heat in buildings accounts for around 25% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Heat and Buildings Strategy. So, in a move towards net zero, all new builds from 2025 onwards are required to have heat pumps instead of boilers.
Heat pumps are being pinned as a more cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative to traditional gas boilers on account of them using renewable energy sources – so they generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
According to heat pump deployment statistics, from October to December 2024 the government supported 11,492 heat pump installations across the UK. With 11,237 of those being air source heat pumps and 126 being ground or water source.
Heat pump installations were highest in the South East and South West, with the East of England also seeing strong uptake. Source: gov.uk
What is the benefit of heat pumps for homeowners?
Air source heat pumps are an attractive option for homeowners due to their energy-saving and efficiency benefits, as well as the capabilities to work well in colder temperatures.
As they are three times more energy-efficient than traditional gas boilers, one of the primary benefits of air source heat pumps is their potential to lower energy bills. Compared to conventional boilers that burn fossil fuels, heat pumps require significantly less energy to operate.
Through the use of electricity, the heat generation process is highly efficient, often delivering more heat energy than electrical energy consumed. For many homeowners this can be a cost-effective solution for long-term savings.
If you’re based in Hemel Hempstead and considering an air source heat pump, get in touch with our friendly team at Gas Tech Heating for expert advice and a free quote.