Citizens Advice response to the DESNZ consultation on proposed amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
We welcome the uplift in the maximum grant amount awarded under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to £7,500, which was announced during the consultation period. But we do not think that reducing the amounts given out to some consumers under the BUS is appropriate at the current time. Our evidence shows that cost is still one of the biggest barriers to installing heat pumps, even with BUS grants. Agility in the scheme should be beneficial, but should be used to target support where it is most needed, including those who cannot afford heat pumps but are not able to access ECO. We would also like clarification on whether the uplift in grant amounts to £7,500 will be accompanied by an increase in the overall budget, and how the government will ensure that it does not lead to more of the budget being used by those who can afford to install heat pumps by themselves, at the expense of those who cannot.
We also support the continuation of EPC requirements as part of the BUS. Ensuring that heat pumps are only installed in appropriately insulated buildings is vital. Using them in draughty homes will unnecessarily increase electricity demand, leading to high electricity bills and supply issues. If people install a heat pump in a draughty house, then the higher long term costs of increased energy consumption are likely to outweigh the short term savings of not having insulation installed. Evidence suggests that the requirement for an EPC with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation is not one of the more important barriers to take up of the BUS. This is not to say that the EPC system is perfect, but we await the consultation on the changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations from DLUHC.