ScottishPower says it has installed 3,000 heat pumps across England, Scotland and Wales in 18 months and is installing heat pumps at a rate of over 50 a week.
The energy company says hitting the 3,000 figure is a key milestone, saying that it was “quickening the pace to decarbonise homes”.
The government is encouraging the take-up of heat pumps, to meet the UK’s net zero greenhouse gas emissions target and save energy. Heat pumps use electricity rather than gas like boilers and, as the UK produces more electricity from renewable energy, fewer emissions will be created by heating homes this way.
But critics say they are too expensive and not enough people know about their benefits.
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ScottishPower said many of its installations have benefitted from the government grants available to customers to help reduce the upfront costs, like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).
Andrew Ward, CEO ScottishPower customer business, said: “Installing heat pumps alongside energy efficiency and insulation measures, helps not only to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions but can have a real positive impact on people’s energy bills and well-being too.
“There are over 23 million gas boilers in the UK, so the country has a mammoth task ahead of it. We are working hard to reach as many customers as possible, targeting those who need it most, and ensuring they can benefit from the well-established benefits of heat pump technology.”
In April this year, the Co-op signed a solar power deal with ScottishPower Renewables, which it says underscores its “commitment to achieving net zero”.
