Net Zero Watch slams Government’s 'desperate' and 'unethical' heat pump proposals

Whitehall consults on removing consumer protections around heat pumps

Campaign group Net Zero Watch has ridiculed the Government’s decision to remove consumer protections relating to the installation of heat pumps in homes. Faced with a widespread consumer boycott of the technology, ministers are hoping that they can kickstart a heating revolution by removing the requirement that properties be adequately insulated before gas boilers are removed.

Net Zero Watch director Andrew Montford said:

The insulation requirement was put in place to ensure heat pumps were only installed where they were likely to work. Removing a key consumer protection is hardly going to help the Government’s cause."

Mr Montford points to a recent study of heat pump economics, which shows that, even in a well-insulated property, most heat pump installations do not give lower bills, let alone justifying the substantial capital costs. This is because electricity is four times the price of gas.

Mr Montford said:

The contradictions in Government policy are becoming clear. Renewables are incompatible with heat pumps because they make electricity so much more expensive than gas. In their desperation to persuade consumers to switch anyway, ministers are proposing steps that would be foolish, are arguably unethical, and would certainly be counterproductive. This is a brand of fanaticism as dangerous as Mr Khan’s ULEZ obsession."

Notes to editors

The Government proposals can be seen here.