The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) –the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable energy installations – has revealed that 2024 is officially the best year on record for certified heat pump installations in the UK.
Last year, 40,426 certified heat pumps were installed between January and December, a record at the time. However, as of early October 2024, the UK had already reached that figure, with over 42,000 installations completed from January to the end of September.
Average monthly heat pump installations rose by 39% compared to 2023, bringing the current number of certified heat pump installations in the UK to nearly 260,000. The MCS says this is a milestone that underscores the growing adoption of low carbon heating, with increasing consumer confidence in its benefits.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) continues to play a key part in the roll out of heat pumps across England and Wales. Homeowners and small business owners in England and Wales can apply for the £7,500 grant if the installation is MCS certified, making heat pumps more accessible and affordable.
Applications to the BUS in 2024 surged in August with 2,890 applications – more than double the previous year. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has recently authorised Ofgem to over-allocate grant vouchers of up to £50 million, increasing the available total to £200 million.
In Scotland, the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan offers similar support, with grants up to £7,500 for certified heat pump installations, and up to £9,000 for households that qualify for a rural uplift.
Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, said, “There’s still progress to be made to reach the government target of 600,000 installations per year by 2028, but MCS certification will play a key role in driving further adoption, by ensuring everyone has confidence in the quality, safety, and performance of their heat pump installations.”
Bean Beanland, of the Heat Pump Federation, added, “Exceeding the total for 2023 by Q4 this year is a tremendous success and confirms that the increased level of the Boiler Upgrade Grant (BUS) has really stimulated homeowners.
“The significant increase in activity had started to raise a budget risk, so we are extremely grateful that the team at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero responded by permitting Ofgem to over-allocate vouchers for BUS through to March 2025.”
Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of the Heat Pump Association, said, “We call on the Government to further support confidence in the sector by taking swift action to introduce the consulted on Future Homes and Building Standard, adopt proposed changes to Permitted Development Rights, and tackle the disparity in electricity and gas pricing.”
MCS holds the most comprehensive repository of data on the uptake of small-scale renewable technologies across the UK on The MCS Data Dashboard. For near-real-time updates on renewable installations, sign-up is free to The MCS Data Dashboard.
