Majority of public understood to be lacking confidence in explaining heat pump technology

THE majority of the public (62 per cent) are estimated to be lacking confidence in explaining heat pump technology – despite heat pumps being widely assumed to be the heating technology of the future.

The estimate is from the built environment research body, BRE, which also estimates that less than half (42 per cent) of people know of a particular form of support in switching from using natural gas, called the Boiler Upgrade Scheme – as explained here.

BRE fears the lack of public awareness is contributing towards a slow take-up of the technology.

The estimates appear in a BRE announcement (here), which is enthusiastic about heat pumps: “BRE’s research finds that, based on currently available technology, heat pumps are the best option to transition households away from fossil fuels and onto clean energy.

“Heat pumps can be most affordably installed and operated in well-insulated buildings. The reduced heat demand in insulated buildings can be readily met by the steady, lower temperature heat that heat pumps most efficiently provide.

“However, BRE’s research also reveals that there remain significant barriers to take-up of this technology, and the UK is far behind comparable European countries in the development of its heat pump market.

“A lack of public awareness, slow momentum on energy efficiency changes, and limited investment in the market are the key factors contributing to the slow take-up of heat pumps.”

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland

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