UK reaches 250,000 certified heat pump installations

According to the latest data from MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable energy installations, the UK has now reached 250,000 all-time certified heat pump installations. 

It is a major milestone in the UK’s adoption of small-scale renewables, and the latest data highlights that uptake is gathering pace. From January to July 2024, more than 30,000 certified heat pumps were installed in homes and small businesses across the UK, which is a 45% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and puts 2024 on track to be a record-breaking year for the technology as more people transition to cleaner, greener heating solutions.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) remains a vital part of making heat pumps more affordable and accessible. Recent government figures show that Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications are up 73% from January – June 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with a total of 14,554 BUS applications submitted in the first six months of 2024. This reflects the growing number of consumers across England and Wales who are taking advantage of the incentive, which provides £7,500 towards the installation of a heat pump and requires it to be MCS certified.

For those in Scotland, the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan offers a similar incentive, with grants up to £7,500 for heat pump installations, and up to £9,000 for households that qualify for a rural uplift.

Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, said: “It’s great to see the growing number of consumers across UK who are switching to heat pumps to heat their homes.”

“Clearly, there is still some way to go in order to achieve the target of 600,000 annual heat pump installations by 2028, but with the BUS running until March of the same year, consumer demand looks set to continue rising,” he said.

“MCS certified installers give consumers confidence in the quality, safety and performance of their heat pump installation, by ensuring that it is installed to the highest quality using certified products. 
MCS standards play a crucial role in ensuring consumer confidence in renewable energy, providing peace of mind for those transitioning to cleaner, greener heating solutions.”

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, you can sign up for free to The MCS Data Dashboard here.

Click here to find a BUS registered MCS certified contractor near you.