A BBC documentary entitled ‘The Truth About Heat Pumps’ has been slammed, with critics asking if the presenter is “sponsored by fossil industry” after the show seemed to leave some viewers more confused than they started.
The programme, which aired on 1 August, saw BBC climate editor Justin Rowlatt, presenter Michelle Ackerley and environment scientist Dr Tara Shine investigate whether it is possible to improve energy efficiency and adequately heat homes by replacing gas and oil boilers with the new green alternatives.
As well as heat pumps they explored other alternatives including hydrogen and highlighted how the UK’s electricity grid needs transforming to deliver enough power for UK homes.
Are the gas and boiler sectors guzzling the debate?
The show follows the news that a leaked document obtained by Desmog showed that the gas and boiler industry are seeking to delay the planned heat pump roll out, with a targeted PR operation behind much of the vehement criticism from the press and campaigners.
More news on the heat pumps that Patrick Harvie is forcing us to get.
You can see why he doesn’t have one. pic.twitter.com/ltXY6qmpDb
— Agent P (@AgentP22) July 30, 2023
It also comes in the wake of a consultation launched by the Scottish government on whether to downgrade the energy efficiency of homes with gas boilers. Zero carbon buildings minister Patrick Harvie criticised the move to encourage heat pump use, while others said that they are not adequate for Scottish homes.
Conservative MP Jacob Rees Mogg is also a vocal opponent to the technology.
Costly heat pumps won’t work in cold weather according to a Labour peer.https://t.co/SJg1ZJLzXs
— Jacob Rees-Mogg (@Jacob_Rees_Mogg) July 31, 2023
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Heat pumps are rubbish.
I’ll be keeping my gas boiler. pic.twitter.com/ByUpsdDrSq— David Kurten (@davidkurten) August 1, 2023
An investigation with revealing responses
Unsurprisingly, given the heated discussion around the issue, the programme was the subject of significant twitter backlash.
“BBC Justin R are you sponsored by fossil industry debunked falsehoods? Your 60 seconds explanation is one of the more confused version I have seen,” tweeted Antler founder Kristoffer Laurson.
“Why not just say a heat pump is like a fridge, freezer or aircon, but can work in two directions? Is the spray can of gas there to give the impression that heat pumps cause pollution?”
@BBCJustinR are you sponsored by fossil industry disseminating debunked falsehoods? Your 60 seconds explanation is one of the more confused version I have seen. Why not just say a heatpump is like a fridge, freezer or aircon, but can work in two directions? Is the spray can of…
— Kristoffer Laurson (@klaurson) August 2, 2023
However other commentators, such as Ian McLachlan, said “Ensuring homes are properly insulated seems like an obvious win as it will reduce both fossil fuel consumption and deaths from cold, damp homes.
Ensuring homes are properly insulated seems like an obvious win as it will reduce both fossil fuel consumption and deaths from cold damp homes. As we don’t seem to be up to the job, maybe we could ask Norway to manage heat pump installation?
— Ian McLachlan (@ianjmclachlan) August 1, 2023
What next for heat pumps?
Elsewhere in the UK, levelling up secretary Michael Gove has recently admitted on Times Radio that – while plans for a petrol and diesel ban were immovable – plans to replace gas boilers with heat pumps needed to be reviewed.
“That is one area that I do think that we need to review… it’s important that new homes meet net zero standards but one of the challenges that we have is with our existing housing stock,” he told the radio station.
As it stands France is pressing much further ahead with the roll out of heat pumps – with 620,000 heat pumps sold across the channel, compared with just 55,000 in the UK.
