UK On Track For 600,000 Heat Pump Installs By 2028

Government figures released this morning for the first six months of 2025 reveal the impressive growth in heat pump adoption across England and Wales, driven by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme — an initiative from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero that helps British families switch to more sustainable alternatives to polluting gas boilers. 

New figures compiled by Aira, a leading UK heat pump business, show that Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) applications have surged by 54% year-on-year. According to the Climate Change Committee, total heat pump sales in 2024 reached nearly 100,000 units—a figure likely to be surpassed again this year as the UK races toward its target of installing 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028.  

Source: Boiler Upgrade Scheme statistics (DESNZ) 

Chris Collinson, Aira UK CEO, said: “The Boiler Upgrade Scheme figures for the first half of 2025 show that the growth rate in heat pump adoption is on track to meet the national target of 600,000 annual installations by 2028. Achieving this goal requires an average annual growth rate of around 50%, and current trends suggest this is within reach.

“These figures highlight that the heat pump industry is one of the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic sectors, with the potential to make a significant contribution to the Prime Minister’s manifesto pledge to create 650,000 jobs in the renewable energy sector.

“Since planning permission requirements were removed for heat pumps installed within 1 metre of a property boundary, the proportion of Aira customers needing planning permission has dropped from 30-40% to just 5-10%. This change has enabled homeowners to complete their installations and access the benefits of heat pumps more quickly, without waiting up to six months for planning approval. Now, we urgently need to reform taxes on electricity, to further increase heat pump adoption and cost savings for people across the UK.”

Source : Aira UK

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY weekly newsletter.